Learning Support Assistant

The Lake; Nuneaton; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Lake Haven is seeking a dedicated Learning Support Assistant to join our specialist school in Warwickshire. You will support pupils with SEN, including autism, helping them access learning, develop independence and build confidence within a nurturing, outdoor-friendly environment.

The role involves working closely with teachers, therapists and families to tailor activities for individual needs and to support emotional regulation and communication. A belief in nurture and belonging is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children with SEN or autism is beneficial.
• Strong interpersonal skills with pupils, families and colleagues.
• Willingness to learn and develop in specialist education.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils to access learning and participate in school life
• Work alongside teachers to provide personalised support for individual pupils and groups
• Develop positive, trusting relationships with pupils
• Support pupils with emotional regulation and communication
• Encourage independence, confidence and resilience
• Help adapt activities and learning to meet individual needs
• Contribute to a calm, safe and nurturing learning environment
• Support outdoor, practical and creative learning activities
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, families and other professionals
• Contribute to the wider life and community of Lake Haven

Skills

Patience

Empathy

Communication

Team player

Resilience

Job description

Job Responsibilities

• Support pupils to access learning and participate in school life
• Work alongside teachers to provide personalised support for individual pupils and groups
• Develop positive, trusting relationships with pupils
• Support pupils with emotional regulation and communication
• Encourage independence, confidence and resilience
• Help adapt activities and learning to meet individual needs
• Contribute to a calm, safe and nurturing learning environment
• Support outdoor, practical and creative learning activities
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, families and other professionals
• Contribute to the wider life and community of Lake Haven

Why Join Us?

You will be joining a highly supportive, experienced and passionate team who are deeply committed to the children and families we serve. Our staff are proud ambassadors for Lake Haven, and collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that looking after our staff is just as important as looking after our pupils. We want our team to feel valued, supported and empowered to develop both personally and professionally. As a member of the Lake Haven team, you can expect:

• A strong commitment to staff wellbeing, with a supportive and approachable leadership team and an open culture where staff are encouraged to talk, ask for help and share ideas
• A positive and supportive working environment, where staff work closely together and nobody is expected to manage situations alone
• High-quality training and professional development, including opportunities to develop your knowledge of autism, trauma-informed practice, attachment, SEMH, regulation, relational practice and therapeutic approaches
• Learning from experienced specialist practitioners, giving you the opportunity to develop practical skills and specialist knowledge on the job
• A personalised approach to career development, with support to identify your strengths, interests and future career goals
• Opportunities for progression, whether you want to develop as an experienced Learning Support Assistant, specialise in an area of SEN or progress towards roles such as Higher Level Teaching Assistant, pastoral support or teaching
• Regular opportunities to reflect and learn as a team, helping staff continually develop their practice
• Small teaching groups, allowing you to build meaningful relationships with pupils and see the impact of your support
• A genuinely different working environment, with access to extensive outdoor spaces, animals, practical learning and creative approaches
• The opportunity to develop skills that will stay with you throughout your career, particularly in understanding children's emotional needs, communication and behaviour
• The chance to be part of something special, contributing to the continued development of a growing specialist school

At Lake Haven, you won't simply be a Learning Support Assistant, you'll be an important part of a child's journey towards confidence, independence and a love of learning. Every day is different. Some days might involve supporting a pupil with their maths, exploring the woods, caring for animals, helping a child regulate after a difficult moment or celebrating a small achievement that represents a huge step forward. If you are looking for a role where you can learn, grow and make a meaningful difference to children who need it most.

Are you a caring, patient and emotionally intelligent person? Do you have a passion for supporting children with special educational needs (SEN)? Are you someone who believes that every child deserves to feel safe, understood and that they belong? Could you fit in with our ethos of 'nurture', 'respect' and 'belonging'? We are seeking an exceptional Learning Support Assistant to join our nurturing and inclusive school community. We are looking for a very special person who understands that a mainstream model does not work for every child. You may already have experience working with children or young people with SEN, or you may be looking for an opportunity to begin a career in specialist education. Most importantly, you will have the right values, attitude and willingness to learn.

You will be someone who is:

• Warm, caring and nurturing, with a genuine desire to make a difference to children's lives
• Patient and emotionally intelligent, able to remain calm and supportive when children are experiencing anxiety or dysregulation
• Compassionate and non-judgemental, understanding that behaviour is communication and that every child has a reason for how they respond
• Resilient and adaptable, able to respond positively to the changing needs of our pupils
• Creative and enthusiastic, willing to think differently and find new ways to engage learners
• A strong team player, who enjoys working collaboratively with teachers, therapists and colleagues
• Committed to developing your understanding of SEN, including autism, communication needs, trauma, attachment and emotional regulation
• Happy to embrace outdoor learning, including animals, mud and learning in all weathers!
• Willing to get involved, whether that means supporting a lesson, taking part in an outdoor activity, helping a pupil regulate or simply being the trusted adult a child needs that day

We believe Lake Haven is a 'Special Place to Learn', nestled within 83 acres of beautiful Warwickshire countryside. We are an Independent Specialist School offering places for up to 40 pupils aged 7-16 with an Educational, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), supporting a range of communication and interaction needs. At Lake Haven, we prioritise emotional wellbeing and a strong sense of belonging, knowing that children learn best when they feel safe, respected and understood. Our pupils are often autistic learners who may have experienced Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) and high levels of anxiety in previous settings. Here, they rediscover a love of learning in a calm, welcoming and supportive, and sometimes muddy, environment! We offer a unique setting with access to outdoor learning spaces, animals, forest areas and a sensory room to support regulation and engagement. Our pupils are academically able and benefit from a personalised, nurturing approach. Our school operates using a primary teaching model, where pupils are grouped by stage rather than age. Learning Support Assistants work closely with teachers to support pupils across the curriculum, helping them to access learning, develop independence and build confidence. The role is much more than simply supporting children with their schoolwork. Our LSAs play an important part in developing positive relationships, supporting emotional regulation, encouraging communication and helping pupils to experience success. We are proud to be rated 'Good' overall by OFSTED, with three areas previously judged 'Outstanding'.