Learning Support Practitioner - SEND

Job Title: Learning Support Practitioner - SEND

Location: East London

Hours: Up to 20 hours per week – 44.5 weeks per year Term Time only

Contract: Both permanent and fixed term available

Salary: £13,102 per year (inc. London Weighting) depending on hours

Waltham Forest College has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted following its most recent inspection and has distinguished itself as one of only a small number of General Further Education Colleges across the country to achieve the prestigious ‘Outstanding’ rating.

Waltham Forest College has been named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025, a testament to its exceptional employee experience and organisational culture. Survey results revealed staff engagement and confidence in leadership to be significantly above the national average, underlining the College’s focus on wellbeing, inclusivity, and professional growth.

Ranked in the top 5% of GFE colleges nationally for student achievement, Waltham Forest College continues to be an aspirational destination for learners. With state-of-the-art industry-standard facilities, a dedicated and expert teaching team, and a strong network of employer partnerships, the College ensures students are future-ready and equipped for success.

Are you passionate about supporting young people and adults to achieve their full potential, advocating for their additional needs and helping them to breakdown their barriers to learning? Do you have experience of youth work, mentoring or support within a post 16 environment?

Waltham Forest College are seeking to recruit exceptional Learning Support Assistants for the SEND provision to provide practical support to young people, age 16-18 or 19-24 with EHCP and adults with learning difficulties, behaviour barriers to learning and/or physical disabilities to facilitate their independence, access to learning and integration into the life of the College. You will have good communication skills, both verbally and in writing, and have empathy and interest in helping students people fulfil their potential. In addition, you will have the ability to build and maintain good working relationships with learners, teachers and other external agencies and have an understanding of safeguarding and its importance.

We are particularly looking for male individuals to provide support to male students who need assistance with personal care.

You must hold a minimum Level 2 (GCSE Grade D/4 or above) in English and Maths, and ideally, you’ll be up to speed on the SEN Code of Practise and other useful legislation. If you have BSL qualification at Level 2 or above this would be desirable. The most vital attributes are; enthusiasm, flexibility, patience, and a sense of humour!

What’s in it for you?

We offer the opportunity to help develop your skills and knowledge in a friendly team environment, plus a range of benefits including a career average pension scheme, employee assistance programme, enhanced sick pay, NUS Employee discount, free onsite parking, cycle to work scheme and Sodexo benefits scheme.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to creating and promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce that better reflects the wider community we support.

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of our students and expect everybody working for the College to share this commitment. We actively seek DBS clearance checks for applications of employment as part of our safeguarding procedures. In line with KCSIE 2025 and Safer Recruitment principles the college reserves the right to conduct online searches of shortlisted candidate.

Closing Date: 25th January 2026

Interview Date: TBC

*Please apply as soon as possible as applications will be considered upon receipt; we reserve the right to interview before the closing date*.