Inclusion Advocate

Shorefields; Thurrock; On-site; GBP 21,876 - 24,044; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Westfield Health Insurance

Cycle to Work Scheme

Long‑service awards

My Day (paid)

Staff Nursery

Job summary

Gateway Primary Free School is seeking an experienced teaching/support assistant to aid vulnerable pupils in a busy primary setting. You will deliver targeted learning support, track progress, and help implement pastoral and regulation plans.

Role requires safeguarding knowledge, strong communication, and flexibility to work with families and external practitioners. Term-time plus 5 days holiday working, 37 hours per week.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting learners with SEND in a primary setting.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and trauma‑informed practice.
• Excellent communication and active listening skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide inclusive support to vulnerable pupils and small groups.
• Deliver learning activities and scaffold tasks to meet outcomes.
• Maintain confidential records of pastoral concerns using CPOMS.
• Collaborate with teachers to develop Pastoral Support Plans and Regulation Plans.
• Engage with families and external practitioners to remove attendance barriers.

Skills

Learning support

Behaviour management

ICT proficiency

Engagement with families

Education

GCSEs/O‑Levels and Level 2

Level 3 qualification (desirable)

Tools

CPOMS

Job description

Position Details

Job Ref No. ECC2024-257 | Position Type: Teaching/Child Support | Pay Range: Actual Pro Rata Salary £21,876 – £24,044 | Start Date: Immediate | Contract Type: Full‑time | Contract Term: Permanent | Working Pattern: 37 hours per week, Term time plus 5 days holiday working.

About the School

The Gateway Primary Free School is part of the Gateway Learning Community (GLC), a partnership of one secondary academy and four primary academies located within Tilbury and Chadwell St Mary in the borough of Thurrock, east of London. The GLC values teamwork, high achievement, and equality of opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

• Model inclusive strategies and scaffolding for classroom teachers to help vulnerable pupils remain engaged in the classroom learning environment.
• Deliver learning activities to small groups and individuals, adjusting tasks to meet specific learning outcomes.
• Provide pre and post assessment on small group work to ensure progress is evident for each pupil.
• Collaborate with teachers to develop Pastoral Support Plans and Regulation Plans.
• Maintain daily contact with assigned pupils to encourage positive attitudes, self‑regulation, social skills and self‑reliance, supporting students through transitions and life changes.
• Represent the voice of the child when working collaboratively to identify and support students and families in need, using Solution Circle and Team Around a Family meetings.
• Support children who are in a heightened state of arousal through co‑regulation and de‑escalation techniques.
• Support key pupils in developing conflict resolution and social skills through interventions such as Circle of Friends, Restorative Conversations, and pupil contracts.
• Maintain accurate, confidential, and timely records of pastoral concerns and interventions using the school's safeguarding/tracking software (CPOMS).
• Engage effectively with families and external practitioners to deliver holistic support, overcoming attendance barriers and supporting school‑avoidant pupils.
• Collaborate with external practitioners such as Education Psychologists, SEMH outreach, to develop support strategies for the school environment.

Candidate Profile

• Experience: Previous experience working within a primary school setting, supporting learners with SEND, particularly those with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.
• Qualifications: GCSEs/O‑Levels and a relevant Level 2 qualification (Level 3 is desirable).
• Skills: Outstanding learning support provision, effective behaviour management, ICT competency, flexibility and adaptability to meet evolving needs.
• Knowledge: Thorough understanding of Child Protection and Safeguarding legislation, SEND Code of Practice, and trauma‑informed practice.
• Qualities: Excellent communication skills, active listening, and the ability to inspire and motivate others.

Additional Benefits

• Staff well‑being programme and access to Westfield Health Insurance.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes including Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Long‑service awards after 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service.
• State‑of‑the‑art facilities and access to high‑quality resources.
• A paid ‘My Day’ each year.
• Excellent career development and training.
• Two‑week October half‑term break.
• Supportive central team (reprographics, ICT, HR, Finance) enabling teachers to focus on teaching.
• Paid opportunities to teach during school holiday clubs.
• Subsidised holiday provision for children of staff.
• GLC Staff Nursery (competitive rates, term‑time only).

Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding

The GLC is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff, volunteers, and visitors share this commitment. Following safer recruitment procedures, the appointment will be subject to pre‑employment checks, including satisfactory references, medical clearance, and enhanced DBS disclosure.

In line with statutory guidance KCSIE, the school will conduct searches for information on shortlisted candidates that is publicly available online, limited to identifying issues that call into question the applicant’s suitability to work with children and to verify employment history. Only information related to those purposes will be shared with the panel, and any information will be discussed with candidates at interview before recruitment decisions are made.