Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Teaching Vacancies; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A local educational institution in Blackburn is seeking a dedicated Higher Level Teaching Assistant starting November 2025. In this role, you will support students' educational and health needs while promoting communication strategies like Makaton and PECS. This position offers opportunities for professional development and requires adaptability to various roles within the school. The ideal candidate is enthusiastic, committed to safeguarding, and has experience in educational support.

Benefits

Full induction and training package

Specific mentoring and training opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in supporting pupils' education and care needs.
• Ability to promote effective communication using various strategies.
• Capacity to adapt to changing school needs and assignments.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils' education, health, and care needs.
• Promote communication using strategies such as Makaton and PECS.
• Manage pupils and classroom under teachers' direction.

Skills

Makaton

PECS

Communication aids

Classroom management

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Higher Level Teaching Assistant to join our busy, demanding, and rewarding school, starting in November 2025.

The HLTA role at Newfield can be deployed in various ways. This position is for the Post 16 department, but candidates should be aware that if the school's needs change, they could be assigned to any of the key requirement roles (attached).

You will support pupils' education, health, medical, physical, and general care needs according to agreed plans. You will promote effective communication for all pupils using a range of strategies such as Makaton, PECS, communication aids, etc., and take a lead role in managing pupils and the classroom under the teacher's direction.

What the school offers its staff

We pride ourselves on meeting the needs of our children and their families. Our dedicated and hardworking team, along with pupils, parents, staff, and governors, continually develop and provide exemplary practice and achievement.

We offer well-being and professional development opportunities, including:

• a full induction and training package
• specific mentoring and training to develop expertise

The school has achieved numerous externally validated awards, including re-accreditation for autism through the National Autistic Society, the Inclusion Quality Mark, and the Rights Respecting School Award through UNICEF.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organization is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers, and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process adheres to the 'keeping children safe in education' guidance. Employment offers may be subject to checks such as:

• disqualification by childcare
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
• medical checks
• online and social media screening
• prohibition from teaching
• right to work verification
• satisfactory references
• suitability to work with children

Applicants must disclose any unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.