Higher Level Specialist Teaching Assistant

Ambitious about Autism; Isleworth; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Ambitious College on West Thames campus is seeking a Higher Level Specialist Teaching Assistant to support autistic young adults aged 16-25. You will help plan and deliver high-quality education alongside the class Lecturer, and mentor Learning Support Workers to build confidence and skills.

You will adapt learning to individual needs, monitor progress, promote independence and safeguarding, and work with Therapists and other professionals to raise outcomes for learners.

Qualifications

• Significant experience working with young people, ideally autistic learners or those with additional needs.
• Strong understanding of effective teaching and learning.
• Ability to adapt learning to meet individual needs and model best practice.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting young people's welfare.

Responsibilities

• Support planning, delivery and assessment of learning.
• Develop accessible resources and personalised learning activities.
• Deliver lessons in the Lecturer's absence.
• Mentor and develop Learning Support Workers and support staff.
• Collaborate with Lecturers, therapists and other professionals.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Mentoring

Learning support

Job description

At Ambitious College, we are looking for a Higher Level Specialist Teaching Assistant to join our West Thames campus, supporting autistic young adults aged 16-25. Working alongside the class Lecturer, you will play an important role in planning and delivering high-quality education, supporting learner progress and modelling excellent practice. You will also mentor and develop Learning Support Workers and other support staff, helping colleagues build their skills and confidence. About the role You will:

• Support the planning, delivery and assessment of learning.
• Develop accessible resources and personalised learning activities.
• Deliver lessons and activities in the Lecturer's absence.
• Monitor and contribute to learner progress and achievement.
• Model effective strategies for supporting autistic learners, including communication, engagement, independence and positive behaviour support.
• Mentor and provide practical guidance to support staff.
• Support colleagues to implement individual learner plans and strategies.
• Work collaboratively with Lecturers, therapists and other professionals.
• Promote high expectations, independence and participation.
• Maintain high standards of safeguarding, health and safety and professional practice. We are looking for someone with strong practical experience in education who is ready to take on greater responsibility. Significant experience working with young people, ideally autistic learners or those with additional needs.
• A strong understanding of effective teaching and learning.
• Experience adapting learning to meet individual needs.
• The confidence to support or deliver lessons.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• The ability to model best practice and mentor colleagues.
• A positive, person-centred approach and high expectations for learners.
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting young people's welfare.

Experience of working with autistic young people is highly desirable, but we welcome candidates with strong transferable skills and a genuine commitment to developing their specialist practice.

Why join Ambitious College?

At Ambitious College, we believe autistic young adults should have the opportunity to develop their skills, build confidence and prepare for a fulfilling adult life. You'll join a passionate and skilled team where your experience can make a real difference - while developing your own specialist and leadership skills. If you're ready to lead by example, develop others and make a greater impact, we'd love to hear from you. Join Ambitious College and help us transform the lives of autistic young adults.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search may be carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification. Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protective', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.

Organisation Ambitious about Autism View profile Registered Charity 101 - 500 We stand with autistic children and young people, champion their rights and create opportunities.