PDA (‘Pathological Demand Avoidance’) Special Support Assistant

Salary:   Scale 1C\3 -  £18,322.23 per annum inclusive of London Weighting Allowance (FTE £21,397)

Working Pattern:  36 hours per week, Term Time Only (44.65 weeks per year)

Location: 

x2 based at The Secondary School, Beddington, CRO 4PD 

x2 based at The Link Secondary Satellite Site, Mollison Drive, SM6 9JN

The Link Secondary School is a special school situated in the London in Borough of Sutton providing education for up to 70 students aged 11 to 19 who have speech, language and communication difficulties. 

The school provides a warm, caring, inclusive environment where students receive personalised learning opportunities in small class sizes. This nurturing approach increases students’ self-confidence and encourages them to flourish academically and creatively.

The Link Secondary School is an inspirational and rewarding place to work where dedicated staff are focused on delivering the school’s vision for all students – to leave with developed wellbeing, independence, communication and achievement in preparation for life after school. To find out more about us visit www.linksec.org.uk

We are looking to recruit four Special Support Assistants at The Link Secondary School, two for our well-established Secondary School in Beddington, and two for our specialist flagship school-based annex and outreach satellite site in Wallington.  

The successful candidates will have a genuine belief in person-centred teaching and a commitment to the education and development of young people with SEN.

You will need a genuine belief in person-centred learning with an ability to build strong relationships of trust with young people with high-level anxieties, as well as an ability to engage young people through their motivations and interests. It would be an advantage to have interests and skills that can be used in learner individual programmes, for example, sports, Information Technology and gaming or creative hobbies.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details on the role and the skills, experience and knowledge we are looking for.

The Link schools are part of Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust, an established family of specialist academies and college centres that provide for over 1,500 pupils and students with a wide range of learning abilities and additional needs. To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit https://www.ohcat.org/work-for-us/

For an informal discussion about the role, candidates are invited to contact Susan Ramm via email SRamm@linkprim.org.uk  to arrange a time to speak with Sandy Turner, Principal.

To apply for the role please use the quick apply option to submit an application. If you have any queries, please contact SRamm@linkprim.org.uk 

Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role. Failure to show evidence will result in your application not being shortlisted for interview.

Please note that CV applications will not be considered.

Closing Date: 12.00pm on Monday, 11th July 2022

Interviews will take place week commencing Monday, 11th July 2022

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.