Learning Support Assistant

Kings Priory School; North Shields; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

Kings Priory School is seeking a dedicated support role to care for a pupil with complex needs. You will assist with safe movement, implement physiotherapy routines and manage allergies, while supporting mealtimes and daily activities within a nurturing school environment.

The role emphasizes safety, independence, and empathy, with term-time hours and a structured progression path through the Local Government Pension Scheme. Training in paediatric first aid and anaphylaxis is desirable.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children with SEN, physical disabilities or complex medical needs.
• EpiPen / Anaphylaxis training is desirable.
• Manual Handling certification is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist the pupil with safe movement around the school, playgrounds, PE lessons, stairs and trips.
• Implement daily physiotherapy routines focusing on core stability, muscle strength and balance.
• Manage high‑risk food allergies and eczema; support toileting, eating and fine motor tasks.
• Supervise mealtimes and prepare drinks with SALT plan thickener levels to prevent aspiration.
• Monitor fatigue; adapt activities and provide movement or rest breaks.
• Support social interactions and daily check-ins; help pupil express frustration constructively.

Skills

Mobility support

Allergy safety

Therapy plans

Patience

Empathy

Education

Paediatric First Aid

EpiPen / Anaphylaxis training

Manual Handling certification

Job description

In this role, you will be the pupil's key adult, balancing highly attentive care with a strengths-based approach that empowers them to thrive independently. Your daily responsibilities will include:

• Physical Support & Mobility: Assisting the pupil with safe movement around the school, playgrounds, PE lessons, stairs, and school trips using a graded support approach to foster independence.

• Therapy & Positioning: Implementing daily physiotherapy routines focused on core stability, muscle strength, and balance, while ensuring correct posture and orthosis positioning.

• Healthcare & Personal Care: Managing high-risk food allergies (EpiPen user) and eczema. Providing essential support with toileting, eating, and fine motor tasks.

• Safe Eating & Drinking: Strictly supervising mealtimes and preparing drinks with specific thickener levels in accordance with a Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) plan to prevent aspiration.

• Fatigue & Environmental Management: Monitoring fatigue levels, adapting physical activities, providing structured movement or rest breaks, and managing a familiar quiet space.

• Social & Emotional Support: Acting as a go-to adult for daily check-ins, facilitating peer interactions in small groups (1:3-1:4 ratio), and helping them express frustration constructively.

The Candidate We Need

We are looking for someone who balances a warm, patient heart with the high level of alertness required to keep the pupil safe.

Key Experience:

• Proven experience supporting children with SEN, physical disabilities, or complex medical needs.

Core Skills:

• Practical knowledge of physical mobility support.

• Strict adherence to food allergy safety and safe swallowing/thickening protocols.

• The ability to implement therapy plans accurately.

Personal Attributes:

• Highly vigilant, patient, and proactive.

• Deeply empathetic with a commitment to promoting independence rather than over-assisting.

Qualifications (Essential & Desirable):

• EpiPen / Anaphylaxis training (Highly Desirable)

• Paediatric First Aid (Highly Desirable)

• Manual Handling certification (Highly Desirable

This is a term-time working role with excellent benefits including salary progression and enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme.