Learning Support Assistant (SEND)

Safeguarding Statement

“Expanse Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all its staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to satisfactory disclosure and clearance prior to employment.”

It is unlawful for Expanse Learning to employ anyone who is barred from working with children. It is a criminal offence for any person who is barred from working with children to apply for a position at Expanse Learning. All applicants will be made aware that providing false information is an offence and could result in the application being rejected, or summary dismissal if the applicant has been selected, and referral to the police and/or the DBS.

An online search will be completed as part of Expanse Learnings pre-employment checks.

Purpose of Job:

To assist and support students with special educational and general learning needs.

Responsibilities of the post:

The Learning Support Assistant’s (LSA) main role is to provide support for students with special educational needs. The LSA will ensure that the students can integrate as fully as possible in the activities generally undertaken by the other students in the class and make progress.

Duties will include running specific programmes and activities to assist the students’ individual learning and social needs. The LSA will be responsible for implementing the targets on the students’ Individual Plans in liaison with the class teachers and the Head of student Support Services.

Supporting students

• To provide learning support for students in class or in 1:1 situations
• To develop knowledge of the particular needs of the students and seek advice from the Head of Student Support Services, class teacher and outside agencies as required.
• To aid access to the full range of learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom and provide modified materials as required e.g., worksheets, games, visual prompt cards etc.
• To make or modify resources as suggested and advised by the Head of Student Support Services, Educational Psychologist or other outside agencies.
• To organise and maintain an inclusive learning environment across the whole college environment.
• Provide positive reinforcements, praise and rewards to students.
• Facilitate inclusion in small group activities with peers and support interaction between them.
• To attend in service training and relevant meetings relevant to the post in order to keep up to date with developments in working with children with special educational needs.

Supporting the Head of Student Support Services

• To work as part of the team to ensure that the wellbeing and personal development of the student enhances their learning opportunities and life skills.
• To attend planning meetings with the Head of Student Support Services to develop learning programmes and to assist in the delivery of the individual learning programmes on a daily basis to promote learning, behaviour and communication skills.
• To provide regular feedback to the Head of Student Support Services and, where necessary, relevant outside agencies about any student’s difficulties and progress.
• To contribute to the students’ annual review by writing a brief report and attending the meeting.

Supporting the College

• To foster links between home and College.
• To participate in relevant professional development as deemed appropriate.
• To understand and apply the college policies on learning and behaviour, and the statutory guidelines relating to disability discrimination and special educational needs.
• To maintain confidentiality and sensitivity to the students’ needs but have regard to the safeguarding procedures of the college.
• To carry out duties as directed by the Head of Student Support Services or Head of Education

Personal Specification for Learning Support Assistant

You will need to

• Have experience of working with children with special educational needs in a college setting
• Have GCSE or equivalent qualifications in Maths and English.
• Have NVQ2 or equivalent
• Have knowledge and understanding of the different social, cultural and physical needs of students.
• Have an interest in how students learn and behave.
• Provide appropriate role models of behaviour both in the classroom and around college
• Really care about students, particularly those who find learning and managing their behaviour difficult.
• Have training in aspects of SEN, i.e. ELSA, dyslexia.

You must be able to:

• Carry out tasks and responsibilities under the direction of the Head of Student Support Services, Class Teacher, Quality & Curriculum Manager and the Head of Education.
• Plan and prioritise tasks and work under the pressure of a busy inclusive specialist college.
• Be productive and show initiative.
• Communicate effectively and appropriately to students with different abilities and ethnic backgrounds.
• Motivate students to learn.
• Motivate students to be sociable.
• Assist with the organisation of the learning environment.
• Maintain accurate records of the students.
• Work effectively with other adults in the college and wider community.
• Be a responsible and trustworthy role model.
• Have patience with students who find conforming to rules and expectations difficult.
• Have patience and be flexible and innovative with a clear understanding of how students might behave who find learning new concepts and remembering taught concepts difficult.
• Respect and maintain confidentiality but have regard to the safeguarding protocols of information sharing where necessary.
• Be computer literate.