Learning Support Assistant

Darrick Wood School; Greater London; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Darrick Wood School is seeking a Learning Support Assistant (LSA) to support pupils with special educational needs in the classroom; LSAs have no teaching requirement and work under the direction of the classroom teacher.

The post involves responding to identified or targeted SEN needs across categories such as communication, cognition and learning, medical/sensory and social/emotional needs. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are welcomed; safeguarding and DBS checks apply.

Responsibilities

• Supports a pupil with special educational needs in the classroom and works under the direction of the classroom teacher.
• Responds to identified or targeted SEN needs (K or PRA/EHCP) within a dedicated team.
• Engages with a range of needs under categories including communication, cognition and learning, and medical/sensory/physical needs.
• Supports safeguarding; pre-employment checks (enhanced DBS) and other statutory verifications are required.

Job description

A Learning Support Assistant (LSA) is someone who supports a pupil with special education needs. An LSA has no teaching requirement. They have a duty to work with the pupil(s) in the classroom and to be directed and support the classroom teacher.

Some LSAs have HCA qualifications and act as carers and their roles reflect this in their duties.

Our main requirement is to work with KS3 and KS4 pupils, but we have many SEN pupils studying in the Sixth Form.

At Darrick Wood School, the LSA is part of a dedicated team. Your role will be to respond to those needs, which are designated as identified or targeted special educational needs (coded as K or PRA/EHCP [funded]).

These needs fall under these categories: -

• Communication and interaction
• Cognition and Learning
• Medical, sensory and/or physical needs
• Social, emotional, mental health needs
• Some of the sub-categories of need are:
• Behavioural, emotional literacy and social skills difficulties
• Complex speech, language and communication needs
• Learning and language difficulties particular to those with a hearing impairment
• Literacy / Numeracy enhancement requirements
• Physical impairment
• Specific learning difficulties
• Vision impairment

Further information on the attached pack

We particularly welcome applicants from ethnic minority backgrounds. We recognise the vital contribution that members of a diverse team make to our pupils learning. The range of cultural experiences, differing viewpoints, and role models this brings is essential in our Trust and we recognise the gap that would be left in our offering without these.

Darrick Wood School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; pre-employment checks will be carried out; references will be sought, and successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and other relevant checks with statutory bodies.