Learning Support Assistant

Our special outstanding school is constantly growing, providing a supportive, nurturing learning environment for more and more children. Due to this expansion, we have an opportunity for you to be a part of a multi-disciplinary team of dedicated friendly Teachers, Therapists and Learning Support Assistants.

What the role involves:

You will not find yourself getting bored in this role! Each day brings new challenges, and opportunities for development and to demonstrate your supportive skills as a Learning Support Assistant. Your role may involve providing ad-hoc or dedicated 1-1 support to specific children and providing whole-class support in sessions. You’ll help to support the pupil’s communication skills at school, when out in the community and on trips, assist with administration, and provide ad-hoc management or support with challenging behaviour.

Situated on the Wimbledon campus, you will be working within a specialist SEN provision for secondary pupils with complex communication and learning difficulties alongside significant medical needs. Many of the children have speech disorders which affect their intelligibility, and all pupils have complex communication difficulties. The pupils also have difficulty with eating and drinking so they need close supervision during mealtimes. Our aim is to provide them with a nurturing environment to develop their communication, independence, and emotional regulation, within an education setting to facilitate their access to learning alongside their peers. Class sizes are a maximum of 6 pupils supported by a Class Teacher, one Learning Support Assistant and Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists. The children in Wimbledon provision do not access the National Curriculum but instead are provided with a functional curriculum where communication and practical real-life learning is the main focus.

We offer:

·        A supportive working environment in a newly refurbished building.

·        Small class sizes and the opportunity to work 1-1 with children where possible.

·        Support from an enthusiastic and dedicated team of Therapy staff and Teachers who will work alongside you in the classroom.

·        Our Speech & Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapist, Art Therapists and Music Therapists aim to maximise each child’s potential in a nurturing and supportive environment.

·        Continued professional development and training.

·        An opportunity to pursue a career in Teaching or Therapy where applicable.

·        Great staff non-contractual benefits such as free lunch on Fridays, termly wellbeing claims, annual bonuses and pay rises and a friendly nurturing environment.

·        Close to a good transport network.

·        UK Healthcare cash plan designed to help cover your “day to day” healthcare expenditure such as Optical and Dental bills and offers cash back (up to policy limits) for a variety of different medical treatments. It also offers lifestyle benefits and discounted gym membership.

The ideal candidate will have:

·        Supporting our students can sometimes be challenging, mental and physical resilience are qualities necessary for all our staff.

·        Confidence, enthusiasm and a passion for learning.

·        An ability and confidence to function independently as and when required.

·        Excellent English skills (clear written and spoken English) along with good reading, writing and numeracy skills.

·        The ability to build good working relationships with children, teachers, parents and carers.

·        Experience of working with children with Special Education Needs (SEN).

·        Experience of providing personal self-care support to pupils will be an advantage. Please note that providing self-care support on occasion is an important expectation of the role.

·        The ability to manage a small group of children with complex communication needs with patience and empathy.

·        The ability to promote positive behaviour in a nurturing environment is essential.

·        Qualifications preferred include GCSE, CACHE Diploma Level 3 in Child Development or equivalent qualification.

·        An interest in learning more about Speech and Language Therapy and/or Occupational Therapy would be an advantage.

Contract terms: Permanent, Term-Time only

Working Hours and pattern: Monday to Friday, 08:30 – 17:00, approx. 36 teaching weeks per annum. No working required during school holidays

Salary: £23,039 - £23,900 pro rata, depending on experience (£18,850 - £19,555 salary for term-time, 36 weeks pa)

To Start: ASAP

Closing Date: 19th June 2023 but may close earlier if earlier applicant successful.

Wimbledon school address: 24 Gladstone Road, Wimbledon, SW19 1QT

If you wish to apply for the post, please download the application form from the school website: www.blossomhouseschool.co.uk/vacancies and email the completed application form detailing how you meet the requirements of the person specification along with the recruitment activity (on the last page of the advert) to recruitment@blossomhouseschool.co.uk by the closing date.

Early applications are encouraged.

This role is subject to the relevant Safeguarding checks, which will include an Enhanced DBS check.

This role does not meet the requirements for sponsored work permits.