Learner Support Assistant

onlyFE; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced Nest pension scheme

20 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays

Health and wellbeing support

Job summary

The Sheffield College, through Sparks Teaching Services, is seeking a Learner Support Assistant to help students who face barriers to learning. You will work with teachers to support learners in and out of the classroom and may assist with personal care or medication in line with policy.

This is a zero-hours contract with regular hours to be confirmed at interview. The role offers hybrid and flexible working opportunities and requires safeguarding responsibilities to be upheld.

Qualifications

• Enhanced DBS check required.
• Commitment to safeguarding.
• Willingness to support learners with barriers to learning.

Responsibilities

• Monitor student development and achievement.
• Safeguard and advocate equality and diversity.
• Assist with intimate personal support needs and may assist in giving medication.
• Share knowledge and resources with colleagues to benefit learning.
• Plan, organise and prioritise own work within established routines.
• Communicate with students and staff to resolve routine and complex queries.

Job description

About Us

At The Sheffield College, we’re proud to be a large, vibrant and inclusive further education community — recognised nationally for our commitment to equality and inclusion — including a 2026 Investors in Diversity Gold award and 3rd ‑ place ranking in the National Centre for Diversity’s 2025 Top 100 Most Inclusive UK Employers.

Everything we do is driven by our mission to transform lives through learning and to meet the skills needs of our city and region. As part of this commitment, our subsidiary company Sparks Teaching Services provides high ‑ quality teaching staff to support outstanding learning experiences for our students.

The Opportunity

Working for our Sparks Teaching Services as a Learner Support Assistant you will be working with students who experience barriers in their learning either by reason of disadvantage, learning difficulties or disability. The LSA helps with teaching and learning activities inside or out of the classroom/workshop/off site working with small groups as well as individual learners.

The LSA works closely with the teacher leading the class and with Tutorial Mentors to ensure students are positively engaged with their learning, fully stretched and able to achieve their goals whilst enjoying their time in college. The LSA’s expertise supports the best use of strategies to overcome barriers to learning, including challenging and difficult behaviours.

This is a zero ‑ hours contract, with regular working hours to be confirmed at interview.

What You’ll Be Doing

• The LSA plays a key role in monitoring student’s development and achievement.
• They play an integral role in the safeguarding of young people by acting as a champion and advocate for equality and diversity.
• LSA’s can also be called upon to meet the intimate personal support needs of individual learners and may be asked to assist in the giving of medication to learners. All such activities are undertaken in accordance with clear policies and procedures and following adequate training.
• You must be keen to share knowledge, experience and resources with colleagues which can be of benefit to teaching and learning.
• LSA’s will be accountable to SEND Support.
• Responsible for planning, organising and prioritising own standard work within well-established routines or procedures, should be able to determine own priorities and think ahead.
• LSA’s are responsible for speaking to students and staff on a regular basis dealing with routine and more complex queries, explaining procedures, demonstrating systems or services.

Cross-College Contributions

• Participating in cross ‑ college projects, working groups and committees
• Preparing and presenting papers as needed
• Acting as a positive role model for colleagues, demonstrating the College’s FREDIE+ values (Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Engagement)

Student-Focused Responsibilities

• Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of students through robust Safeguarding practices
• Supporting key college events such as open days, enrolment and exam periods

Your Commitment to a Safe & Sustainable College

• Follow Health & Safety policies relevant to your role
• Ensure compliance with Data Protection regulations
• Contribute to our sustainability goals and Net Zero ambition

Disability Confident

We are a Disability Confident employer and are committed to removing barriers for applicants with a disability during our recruitment process, upon appointment and as an employee. If you require any reasonable adjustments or any support at any point throughout the process, please contact [e-mail]

Armed Forces Covenant

As part of our commitment through the Armed Forces Covenant ,we’re pledged to support the Armed Forces Community. Recognising the value Personnel, Veterans and military families contribute to our community and country.

Safeguarding

We are an employer who is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students. Successful applicants will be required to have an enhanced DBS check and will be subject to safer recruiting procedures. Further details on our safer recruiting procedures, including the employment of ex-offenders can be found here - Safeguarding

What We Offer

Hourly rate: £14.27

Benefits

• Enhanced Nest pension scheme – 3% employer contribution
• 20 days annual leave (148 hours) + 8 bank holidays (59.2 hours)
• Health and wellbeing support , including:
• Employee assistance programme through Bupa
• Occupational Health through PAM
• Free eye tests for VDU users
• Free parking at most campuses
• Hybrid and flexible working opportunities
• Professional development pathways and access to staff benefits

Closing date: 29 September 2026