Individual Needs Assistant (INA)

St. Bedes Senior School; Upper Dicker; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 17,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

A generous pension (salary exchange)

Employee Assistance Programme

Retail Discounts

Aviva Digital GP app

Free gym & pool access

Eye care vouchers

Refer a Friend Scheme

Death in Service

Complimentary Lunch

Free onsite parking

Job summary

Bede’s Senior School in Upper Dicker seeks two Individual Needs Assistants to support a Sixth Form pupil with Cerebral Palsy. The role focuses on removing barriers to independence, both academically and physically, while integrating with the wider school community, including boarding.

These fixed-term contracts run until June 2029, during term-time (33 weeks per year). Role 1 offers 34 hours per week (Mon-Thu 14:00-23:00) with salary £15,113.34 per annum.

Qualifications

• Supports a Sixth Form pupil with Cerebral Palsy using assistive technologies.
• Acts as ally, enabler and inclusion facilitator within the school community.
• Keen to remove barriers and promote pupil independence in learning and daily living.

Responsibilities

• Read and scribe in lessons and exams to support independence.
• Assist with mobility aids and orthotics using a respectful approach.
• Support wider classroom and boarding house activities when pupil studies independently.
• Pre-audit venues and plan inclusive trips for university visits and events.
• Collaborate with Educational Psychologists, Physios, and OTs and communicate with parents and staff.

Skills

Reading & scribeing

Assistive tech

Mobility aid support

Educational support

Communication with families

Education

Experience with special needs students

Tools

Assistive devices

Technology in education

Job description

Individual Needs Assistant (INA)

Send to a Friend Back to Vacancy List Vacancy Type Term-Time Only Location Upper Dicker, BN27 3QH School Senior School Application Deadline Monday, November 9, 2026 Job Summary

Are you ready to champion true independence and inclusion? We are looking for individuals who don't just look past limitations, but actively collaborate with young adults to dismantle the barriers holding them back.

We are seeking two dedicated Individual Needs Assistant (INA) to join our vibrant school community. Rooted firmly in the social model of disability, this role is focused on acting as an ally, enabler, and inclusion facilitator for a Sixth Form pupil with Cerebral Palsy. Your will help to remove physical barriers, through supporting the use of mobility aids and helping with physical tasks, and academic barriers, through the use of technology, promoting the pupil's transition into adulthood and higher education or employment.

Importantly, while this pupil is your primary focus, you will be an integral part of our wider school community. When the pupil is studying independently, you will actively pivot to support and engage with other pupils within the classroom and the boarding house, fostering a holistic environment of communal support.

Key Responsibilities

• Empowering Academic & Tech Support: Act as an objective reader/scribe in lessons and exams, and coach the pupil to master assistive technologies for future independence.
• Autonomy-First Daily Assistance: Support the independent use of mobility aids and orthotics using a respectful, "assistance on request" approach.
• Fluid Community Integration: Pivot proactively to support the wider classroom and boarding house whenever the primary pupil is engaged in independent study.
• Inclusive Enrichment & Trip Planning: Accompany the pupil on off-site excursions, university visits, and social events, pre-auditing venues to remove accessibility barriers.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Implement specialist strategies from Educational Psychologists, Physios, and OTs, while maintaining proactive communication with parents and staff.

About You

• Inclusive and responsive: Strongly aligned with the social model of disability; committed to removing barriers as they arise, while deeply respecting a young adult’s personal boundaries and independence.
• Adaptable & Community-Minded: Able to fluidly transition from intensive 1-to-1 pupil care to proactively engaging and managing wider groups of teenagers in both classroom and residential boarding environments.
• Collaborative, Tech-Savvy, and a strong Communicator: Exceptionally skilled at navigating sensitive conversations with families and medical professionals, with the technical confidence to master assistive learning technologies.

There Are Two Different Opportunities On Offer Both Are Fixed Term Contracts Anticipated To End In June 2029, Term Time Only (33 Weeks Per Year)

Role 1

Working Pattern: 34 hours per week, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, consisting of 14:00 - 23:00 with a 30 minute unpaid break per day.

Salary: £15,113.34 per annum plus holiday pay (Full Time Equivalent £28,094.11)

Role 2

Working Pattern: 14.5 hours per week, consisting of:

• Friday: 18:00 - 23:00.
• Sunday: 07:00 - 16:30 with an unpaid 30 minute break per day.

Salary: £6,445.40 per annum plus holiday pay (Full Time Equivalent £28,094.11)

Bede’s Offers a Range Of Staff Benefits Including

• A generous company pension with salary exchange options
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Retail Discounts
• Aviva Digital GP app - swift and convenient access to a GP via video consultation
• Free use of School gym & pool facilities/discounted nationwide gym membership,
• Eye care vouchers,
• Refer a Friend Scheme
• Beneficiary Nominations (Death in Service),
• Complimentary Lunch provided
• Free onsite parking at the Senior School.

We welcome applications from all sectors of the community as we aspire to attract staff that match the social and cultural diversity of our community. We consider the most important factor to be the right skills, abilities and attitude for the job which will ultimately improve the well-being and education of the pupils.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact [e-mail].

Application Closing Date: Monday 9th November 2026 at 8am.

For further information about the role please see the Job Description below.

Please note that we are unable to accept CV's, applicants must add their full education and employment history to their application.

Bede’s Trust is committed to building a truly inclusive school and cultivating a culture of equality, diversity and kindness. We believe that a diverse staff body reflects and supports the diversity of our students and wider society. We are an equal opportunity employer and in recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expressions, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.

Bede’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check.

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