Learning Support Assistant

Teaching Personnel; Penarth; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Teaching Personnel is seeking a Learning Support Assistant for a specialist SEN school in Penarth, Cardiff. The role focuses on supporting learners with SLD and PMLD to access an engaging curriculum and develop communication, independence and life skills.

You will work within a nurturing environment, delivering individual learning plans and using PECS, Makaton and other aids. The position involves personal care, mobility support, and close collaboration with teachers and therapists.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children or adults with SEN, ALN, SLD, PMLD, autism or complex needs.
• Patient, caring and empathetic nature.
• Confident supporting pupils with communication and physical difficulties.
• Strong teamwork and clear communication skills.
• Experience with personal care and moving/handling, or willingness to training.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with SLD and PMLD both in class and across the school day.
• Assist with delivery of individual learning plans and personalised programmes.
• Encourage communication via verbal, visual, sensory and alternative methods (PECS, Makaton).
• Support personal care needs, including toileting, feeding and changing where required.
• Assist with mobility and transfers after appropriate training.
• Facilitate sensory-based learning activities to aid development.
• Foster social interaction, independence, confidence and wellbeing.
• Build positive relationships with pupils, families and colleagues.
• Support behaviour management using positive strategies and safeguarding.

Job description

Are you passionate about supporting children and young people with additional learning needs? We are working with a specialist SEN school in Penarth, Cardiff, that provides outstanding education and care for pupils with a range of Additional Learning Needs (ALN). The school is seeking compassionate, resilient, and dedicated Learning Support Assistants to join their growing team, with a particular focus on supporting learners within the SLD and PMLD department.

This is an incredibly rewarding opportunity to help pupils develop their communication, independence, social, and life skills while ensuring they can access a meaningful and engaging curriculum tailored to their individual needs.

The school caters for pupils aged 3-19 with a wide range of Additional Learning Needs, including:

• Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD)
• Complex medical needs
• Physical disabilities
• Sensory impairments
• Communication and interaction difficulties

The SLD/PMLD department provides a highly nurturing and structured environment where pupils benefit from personalised learning programmes, specialist communication strategies, sensory-based learning, and multi-disciplinary support from therapists, medical professionals, and educational specialists.

As a Learning Support Assistant, you will:

• Support pupils with SLD and PMLD both within the classroom and throughout the school day.
• Assist with the delivery of individual learning plans and personalised educational programmes.
• Encourage communication through verbal, visual, sensory, and alternative communication methods such as PECS, Makaton, and communication aids.
• Support pupils with personal care requirements, including toileting, feeding, and changing where required.
• Assist pupils with physical needs, including mobility support and transfers, following appropriate training.
• Facilitate sensory-based learning activities to engage pupils and promote development.
• Encourage social interaction, independence, confidence, and emotional wellbeing.
• Build positive and trusting relationships with pupils, families, and colleagues.
• Support the management of behaviours that may challenge through positive behaviour support strategies.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, healthcare professionals, and support staff.
• Ensure safeguarding, health and safety, and wellbeing remain at the forefront of practice.

We are looking for individuals who:

• Have experience supporting children or adults with SEN, ALN, SLD, PMLD, autism, or complex needs.
• Possess a patient, caring, and empathetic nature.
• Are confident supporting pupils with communication and physical difficulties.
• Have strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Can remain calm and adaptable in challenging situations.
• Are passionate about helping young people achieve positive outcomes.
• Hold a relevant qualification in Education, Health & Social Care, or Childcare (desirable but not essential).
• Have experience with personal care and moving & handling, or are willing to undertake training.

Working within the SLD/PMLD department is more than a job; it is an opportunity to positively impact the lives of children and young people with complex learning and physical needs. Every small achievement, from developing communication skills to increasing independence, is celebrated and recognised as a significant step forward.

If you are passionate about inclusive education and want to be part of a dedicated team making a real difference, we would love to hear from you.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ's on the Teaching Personnel website for details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at