Learning Support Assistant

Outcomes First Group; Newton Abbot; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organization in the UK is seeking a passionate individual to support young people with varied and complex needs. In this role, you will work alongside talented teachers, providing vital classroom support, preparing creative lessons, and fostering positive relationships with pupils. Experience in SEN/ASC environments is preferred, but strong personal qualities and support skills are essential. The role offers excellent training and development opportunities.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme with options

"Your Wellbeing Matters" mental health support

Discount options

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Critical illness cover

Family Growth Support

Qualifications

• Experience working with children in an SEN/ASC environment would be an advantage.
• Excellent support skills and a genuine passion for helping pupils.

Responsibilities

• Provide vital support in the classroom, working 1:1 or in small groups.
• Prepare learning materials and create engaging, inclusive lessons.
• Build positive relationships with pupils and promote independence.

Skills

Calm, engaging, and resilient

Able to work well as part of a team

Motivated by seeing pupils achieve and grow

Open to learning new skills and approaches

Education

Teaching Assistant Level 2 or 3

NVQ Health and Social Care Level 2 or 3

Full UK Driving Licence

Job description

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who is passionate about supporting young people with varied and complex needs. You'll be helping pupils overcome barriers to learning, celebrating every success, and making a real difference in their education and personal development.

Working alongside our talented teachers, you'll provide vital support in the classroom, working 1:1 or in small groups, preparing learning materials, and helping to create engaging, creative, and inclusive lessons. You'll also play a key role in building positive relationships with pupils, fostering interaction, and promoting independence.

• Calm, engaging, and resilient.
• Able to work well as part of a team.
• Motivated by seeing pupils achieve and grow.
• Open to learning new skills and approaches.

Experience working with children in an SEN/ASC environment would be an advantage, but it's not essential. If you bring excellent support skills, the right personal qualities, and a genuine passion for helping pupils reach their full potential, we'll provide you with the training and development you need to succeed.

These roles are also a fantastic fit for people with experience in customer‑facing industries such as retail, hospitality, or leisure who are looking for a new career that is both meaningful and rewarding.

Qualifications (Desirable)

• Teaching Assistant Level 2 or 3.
• NVQ Health and Social Care Level 2 or 3.
• Full UK Driving Licence (mandatory).

The Greater Horseshoe School is an independent special school for pupils aged 8 to 18 years old. The school is situated in a peaceful woodland setting near Newton Abbot in Devon. Our school facilities are complemented by our nearby care farm, where we offer animal care, horticulture and a wide range of outdoor educational activities alongside academic and vocational programmes.

We are committed to providing the best education for pupils with complex needs. We offer a unique tailored programme for every pupil, combining a therapeutic approach, outdoor learning and individual academic and vocational programmes to suit each student. Everything that we do is based on thoroughly understanding the needs of our students and how we can best support them in achieving positive outcomes.

Acorn Education is the UK's leading independent provider of specialist education. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the fifth year running.

Why join Acorn Education?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you'll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you'll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance.
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions.
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" – access to a wide range of first‑class mental health support services and physical health checks.

And a market‑leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that's right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits.
• 100's of discount options valid in the UK and abroad.
• Cycle to Work Schemes.
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme.
• Critical illness cover.
• Family Growth Support – inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.