Learning Support Assistant

Pink Tile Education Ltd; Crawley; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Pink Tile Education Ltd is recruiting a Learning Support Assistant to join a specialist SEMH provision in Littlehampton, supporting secondary pupils who need a more individualised approach. The role focuses on re-engagement with learning, emotional regulation and building confidence throughout the school day.

You'll work with teachers and pastoral staff to create a safe, structured learning environment and provide academic and pastoral support.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children, teenagers or vulnerable young people.
• Calm and consistent approach in challenging moments.
• Good communication skills with students, families and staff.
• Ability to work well as part of a school team.
• Patience and resilience in a SEMH setting.

Responsibilities

• Support secondary-aged pupils on a 1:1 and small-group basis.
• Help pupils access lessons and remain engaged with learning.
• Build positive, professional relationships with young people.
• Support pupils with emotional regulation and behaviour.
• Use calm, consistent approaches when situations become challenging.
• Work alongside teachers, pastoral staff and other support professionals.
• Help create a safe, structured and positive learning environment.
• Support pupils both academically and pastorally.

Skills

Patience

Calm under pressure

Good communication

Resilience

Team player

Job description

Learning Support Assistant – SEMH Secondary School

Littlehampton, West Sussex

We're recruiting a Learning Support Assistant (LSA) to join a specialist SEMH provision in Littlehampton, supporting secondary-aged pupils who need a more individualised approach to education.

This is a real, current vacancy within a small specialist setting where relationships, consistency and the ability to stay calm matter just as much as classroom experience.

You'll be working with young people who may have found mainstream education difficult and can present with social, emotional and mental health needs, challenging behaviour, anxiety, disengagement or difficulties regulating their emotions.

The role is about much more than sitting next to a pupil in a lesson. You'll help young people re-engage with learning, manage difficult moments, build confidence and make positive choices throughout the school day.

As a Learning Support Assistant, you will:

• Support secondary-aged pupils on a 1:1 and small-group basis

• Help pupils access lessons and remain engaged with learning

• Build positive, professional relationships with young people

• Support pupils with emotional regulation and behaviour

• Use calm, consistent approaches when situations become challenging

• Work alongside teachers, pastoral staff and other support professionals

• Help create a safe, structured and positive learning environment

• Support pupils both academically and pastorally

Who would suit this role?

We're looking for someone who is patient, resilient, approachable and confident working with teenagers.

Previous experience in a school is useful, but it isn't the only background we'll consider.

You may already be working as a:

• Learning Support Assistant

• Teaching Assistant

• SEN Teaching Assistant

• SEMH Teaching Assistant

• Behaviour Support Assistant

• Pastoral Support Worker

• Youth Worker

• Residential Support Worker

• Support Worker

• Mentor

Experience supporting young people with SEMH, SEN, challenging behaviour, autism, ADHD, trauma or additional needs would be particularly relevant.

Just as importantly, you'll need to be someone who can build trust without taking difficult behaviour personally.

What you'll need

• Experience working with children, teenagers or vulnerable young people

• A calm and consistent approach

• Good communication skills

• The confidence to manage challenging situations appropriately

• A genuine interest in helping young people succeed

• The ability to work well as part of a school team

You will need to complete the relevant safeguarding and compliance checks required to work in an education setting.

Why this role?

This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who enjoys working with young people who need a little more time, patience and understanding.

You'll be joining a specialist environment where staff have the opportunity to make a very visible difference to a pupil's day — and often to their longer-term relationship with education.

Location: Littlehampton, West Sussex
Role: Learning Support Assistant / SEMH Teaching Assistant
Age group: Secondary
Setting: Specialist SEMH / Alternative Provision
Start: ASAP / subject to compliance

Safer Recruitment:

Pink Tile Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to our safer recruitment procedures, including identity and right-to-work checks, an enhanced DBS check, barred list checks where applicable, satisfactory references and a full employment history review. Any gaps in employment will need to be explained as part of the registration process. All appointments are subject to satisfactory completion of these checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.