Learning Support Assistant

Blackstone Recruitment Limited; Loughton; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackstone Recruitment Limited is seeking a Learning Support Assistant to join our client in Epping Forest, London. You will support learners in mainstream classes across subjects including English and Maths from FS to GCSE, on a 35-hour week.

The role involves reading, scribing, IT support, and adapting learning materials, with a focus on learner progress and wellbeing, in a college setting. The position offers a competitive hourly rate and workplace collaboration.

Qualifications

• English and Maths at grade C/4 or higher required.
• Experience or willingness to obtain LSA qualifications.
• Ability to support reading, writing and mathematics tasks.

Responsibilities

• Support learners in mainstream classes.
• Provide reading, scribing, IT support and learning material adaptation.
• Assist with exam access arrangements and exam supervision.
• Maintain student safety and wellbeing.
• Collaborate with teachers and support staff.

Skills

English literacy

Maths basics

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Education

GCSE English & Maths C/4 or above

Job description

Job Title: Learning Support Assistant

Location: Epping Forest, London

Hours: 35 hours per week (Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri 08:45 – 16:30pm and Wed 08:45 – 3:15pm)

Rate: £19.91 per hour

Contract Type: Full time, Long term

Job Description

We require LSAs who will be able to support predominantly in Mainstream, supporting learners in specialist subject areas across the college and English and Maths FS to GCSE levels.

• To support the quality of teaching and learning in the curriculum areas.
• To support progress and attainment of identified learners with additional SEND/EHCPs to achieve success on their course of study.
• To promote the highest level of independence for each student, whilst ensuring they are at all times in a safe and healthy environment.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In common with all other staff:

1. 1.1 To support the College’s mission, vision, values and strategic objectives.
2. 1.2 To implement the College’s Equality and Diversity policies and to work actively to overcome discrimination on grounds of all protected characteristics; sex, race, religion/belief, disability, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy/maternity, gender reassignment status, marriage/civil partnership status.
3. 1.3 To take responsibility for one’s own professional development and participate in relevant internal and external activities.
4. 1.4 To implement the College’s safeguarding policies and practices.
5. 1.5 To implement your health and safety responsibility in line with the College’s Health and Safety policy.
6. 1.6 To contribute to the College’s commitment to continuous improvement as identified in the College’s quality assurance systems.
7. 1.7 To ensure that data is handled in line with the General Data Protection Regulations.

In common with all other staff:

1. 2.1 To participate in College-wide projects and tasks.
2. 2.2 To work in other support services areas to meet the specific needs of workload peaks.
3. 2.3 Such other duties of a similar nature commensurate with the grade as may be required from time to time. This may/will require working in other campuses of the College.

Particular to the Post

1. 3.1 To adhere to relevant staff policies and the college’s professional code of conduct and to always perform your duties in a professional manner being mindful of confidentiality as appropriate.
2. 3.2 Work closely with teachers, to ensure that the support needs of learners are met. Supporting learners in the classroom, workshop environments and one to one. To undertake reading, scribing, IT support, personal care and the preparation & adaption of learning materials as appropriate to individual learner needs.
3. 3.3 Escorting learners who are required to undertake college based tasks “off site” so they may be supported in their activities to work towards independence.
4. 3.4 Assistance with transport duties if required for learners with transport needs.
5. 3.5 Being flexible about supporting learners outside of timetabled hours when required; such as invigilating exams, supervising breaks where there has been challenging behaviour, going on trips with learners with potential mobility issues.
6. 3.6 Attending meetings with the Senior Support Workers, Senior Support for Behaviour, Supported Learning SCM, Supported Learning Team and Curriculum Teams to discuss monitoring of learners and to provide summary reports for managers.
7. 3.7 Liaise with the Senior Support Workers, SEND and Supported Learning SCMs and the Senior Support for Behaviour regarding the learners you work with.
8. 3.8 Develop, maintain and apply knowledge and understanding of learners general and specific learning needs, ensuring support is given to them at the appropriate level.
9. 3.9 Promote and reinforce learners’ self-esteem, appropriate learning behaviour and levels of effort.
10. 3.10 Participate in the interviewing, assessment and guidance process.
11. 3.11 Assist in supporting learners with Exam Access Arrangements and supervision of exams, tests and assessments as directed.
12. 3.12 Support learners’ work and behaviour to achieve their academic and social support plan targets.
13. 3.13 Assist in the general administration of the Supported Learning Department by keeping up to date with recording sessions electronically and providing reports as required.
14. 3.14 Work with individuals or small groups of learners on agreed tasks including specific English and Maths programmes.
15. 3.15 Utilise an Emotional Literacy Support approach throughout practice, in one to one and group support.

Person Specification

1. 4.1 Good standard of education especially in English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above) and IT.
2. 4.2 Experienced and qualified in, or willing to obtain qualifications in learning support and/or teaching literacy, numeracy or ESOL.
3. 4.3 Experience and trained in, or willing to undertake training in personal care. This may include providing some direct personal care, support and assistance to the student in respect of toileting, eating, mobility and dispensing medication.
4. 4.4 Experience and trained in, or wiling to undertake training in First Aid.
5. 4.5 Experience and trained in, or wiling to undertake training in Emotional Literacy Support (ELS)
6. 4.6 To have good knowledge and understanding of various in class support strategies, and to then apply these in an in-class support setting.
7. 4.7 Understand the challenges faced by students in an inner city college context.
8. 4.8 Experience of guidance and support of a learner in a flexible and changing learning environment.
9. 4.9 Ability to monitor student performance, achievements and attendance and to take appropriate action to improve and support achievement.
10. 4.10 Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues as a member of the Supported Learning Team and other teams as appropriate.
11. 4.11 Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
12. 4.12 To work with the Senior Support Workers regarding updating support plans, recording information, providing information for the annual reviews.
13. 4.13 To liaise with the Senior Support Worker and Senior Support for Behaviour regarding the needs of their learners.
14. 4.14 Good organisational skills and an ability to use initiative in prioritising and organising their work.
15. 4.15 Knowledge of learner progression paths.
16. 4.16 Ability to liaise effectively with others inside and outside of the college.
17. 4.17 Commitment to on‑going professional learning and development.
18. 4.18 Awareness of Health & Safety procedures and willingness to undertake training.

Additional Information

This job description will be regularly reviewed to ensure that it is an active description of the responsibilities and duties of the individual post holder and that these responsibilities and duties consistently match the needs of the College.

Please contact Mathure for further information