Job description
SEMH Learning Support Assistant
Location: Colchester
Salary : £90 - £120 per day
GSL Education is seeking to appoint dedicated and resilient Learning Support Assistants to join our team. You’ll help pupils develop vital social and life skills, support their academic progress, and play a key role in their holistic development. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to make a real impact on young lives and support children who have experienced trauma and adversity.
The position is 37 hours per week, and the working pattern is as follows; Monday to Thursday: 8:15am to 4:15pm, Friday 8:15am to 3:45pm.
1. What you’ll be expected to do in the role:
-
Build trusting relationships and act as a positive role model for pupils
-
Deliver bespoke intervention programmes and track progress
-
Support teaching and learning, including planning and resource preparation
-
Use ICT to support and enhance learning
-
Promote positive behaviour and contribute to a safe, inclusive school culture
-
Collaborate with colleagues, parents, and carers to support pupil reintegration and progress
-
Participate in training and ongoing professional development
2. What we’re looking for:
-
Understanding of the impact of trauma and adversity on children
-
Experience working with children with SEND (desirable)
-
Strong organisational, communication, and teamwork skills
-
Commitment to equality, safeguarding, and the values of Keys Co-operative Academy Trust
-
Willingness to undertake relevant training and development
3. What we offer:
-
Ongoing CPD and training opportunities, including Trauma Perceived Practice (TPP)
-
Supportive colleagues and a positive working environment
-
Opportunities for development and progression within the Trust
For more updates on the role, do not hesitate to contact Katie Gibson or apply at www.gsleducation.com
LEARNING SUPPORT JOB DESCRIPTIONJob Title: Learning Support AssistantLocation: ColchesterGrade / Allowances: Scale 5 (Pt 10-13)Contract Type: PermanentReporting to: SENCOJOB PURPOSEThe role supports the holistic development of pupils within our alternative provision whopresent with a wide range of SEND needs, including pupils who have experienced traumaand adversity. The post holder will help pupils develop the necessary social and life skillsrequired to be successful in future transitions , provide support and advice to colleaguesworking with a pupil as part of a reintegration support plan, and deliver bespoke interventionprogrammes for identified pupils.The successful candidate will uphold the Professional Standards for Teaching Assistants.They will work under the professional direction of the SENCo, Senior Leadership Team, andteachers, delivering lessons set by or alongside teachers. LSAs are expected to report onpupils’ learning and to assess, record, and report on developments, progress, andattainment as agreed with the SENCo, Senior Leadership Team, and/or teachers.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESPUPIL SUPPORT & INTERVENTION● Relationship Building: Establish safe, trusting relationships with pupils, acting as a rolemodel and setting high expectations as agreed.● Targeted Support: Support individuals or small groups of pupils under the guidance ofa teacher.● Bespoke Interventions: Track, monitor, and record the progress pupils make as part oftargeted intervention programmes.● Holistic Growth: Support the social, emotional, and life skills development of pupilswith complex SEND needs to prepare them for future transitions.● Enrichment: Utilise strengths and expertise to deliver enrichment sessions to engage,enthuse and inspire our learners.TEACHING & LEARNING SUPPORT● Lesson Planning: Assist the teacher in planning lessons and learning opportunities thatare bespoke to the needs of each learner.● Resource Preparation: In liaison with teaching staff, select and prepare tailoredlearning resources.● Educational Technology: Use ICT effectively to support learning activities and developpupils' competence and independence in its use.● Pupil Assessment: Support the assessment of pupils’ work as directed by a teacher,utilising school systems and online tools.● Classroom Cover: Cover for absent colleagues where work is set and supervised byteaching staff. Work independently with individual pupils and/or small groups.BEHAVIOUR, CULTURE & SAFEGUARDING● Behaviour Management: Anticipate and manage pupil behaviour in line with schoolpolicies, modelling reflective practice.● Policy & Ethos: Ensure school policies are followed explicitly and contribute positivelyto the school ethos.● Health & Safety: Comply with individual responsibilities for health and safety in theworkplace.● Equality & Values: Ensure all duties and services align with the School’s EqualOpportunities Policy , embody the school's values, and participate in Trauma PerceivedPractice (TPP) training with the academy staff.COLLABORATION & COMMUNICATION● Progress Reporting: Communicate high-quality written and verbal information aboutpupil progress as required.● Stakeholder Engagement: Support parents and carers to engage in their child’s holisticeducation, attending relevant meetings both at school and in family homes.● Staff Advisory: Provide support and advice to other staff colleagues working with apupil as part of a reintegration support plan.● Professional Development: Attend all relevant staff meetings and training, participatingin performance development conversations to take leading responsibility for personallearning and development needs.DATA, ADMINISTRATION & GENERAL● Community Environment: Update display boards in and around the school community.● Off-Site Activities: Assist with and support off-site visits and learning activities.● Administrative Support: Assist the administrative team as necessary.● Flexibility: Demonstrate willingness and flexibility to adapt routines to work outsidenormal working hours to attend work-related meetings or activities when necessary.● Mobility: Maintain mobility to support the localized regional needs of the alternativeprovision role● Operational Support: Undertake other duties as reasonably required to support theeffective running of the school, recognizing that duties may vary according to schoolneeds.SAFEGUARDINGKeys Co-operative Academy Trust (KCAT) is committed to safeguarding and promoting thewelfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to sharethis commitment.Keys Co-operative Academy Trust is committed to ensuring all recruitment is undertakenfairly, effectively, safely and in accordance with legislation. The information below providespre-employment screening guidance for candidates applying to this job at Keys Co-operativeAcademy Trust.Pre-Employment Checks appropriate to this Job Profile● receipt of satisfactory references● verification of identity● a satisfactory DBS disclosure if undertaking Regulated Activity● verification that you not barred from working with Children● verification that you are not prohibited from teaching● verification of medical fitness for the particular role● verification of qualifications and of professional status where required e.g. QTS status● the production of evidence of the right to work in the UK● verification of successful completion of/exemption from statutory induction period● verification that you are not subject to a section 128 direction preventing you fromholding a management position within a school● a declaration that you are not disqualified from working with children by virtue of theChildcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2018 or that you have provided a validdisqualification waiver from Ofsted