Learning Support Assistant

Outcomes First Group; Preston; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme with increased employer

Your Wellbeing Matters

Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista)

Discounts (UK & international)

Cycle to Work Scheme

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Critical illness cover

Family Growth Support and enhanced le-

Job summary

Waterloo Lodge School is seeking a Learning Support Assistant to support students with social, emotional and mental health needs, in classrooms and outdoor activities. You will build relationships, assist with personalised learning, and help students gain confidence and independence.

The role involves supporting experiences across enrichment activities and life skills, with emphasis on calm, consistent behavior support and collaboration with staff.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths (Grade 4/C or above) or equivalent.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to stay calm and positive in challenging situations.
• A flexible and proactive attitude.
• Experience working with children, young people, or vulnerable individuals is beneficial but not essential.
• A genuine passion for helping students succeed and thrive.

Responsibilities

• Support students in the classroom, in small groups, and on a one-to-one basis.
• Build positive, trusting relationships that help students feel safe, valued, and ready to learn.
• Collaborate with teachers to deliver engaging and personalized learning experiences.
• Encourage students' independence, confidence, communication, and social development.
• Support positive behavior and emotional wellbeing through a calm and consistent approach.
• Assist with enrichment activities, outdoor learning, educational visits, and life skills opportunities.
• Monitor progress and celebrate achievements, no matter how big or small!

Skills

Strong communication

Relationship-building

Calm under pressure

Flexible and proactive

Experience with children/young people

Education

GCSE English & Maths (4/C or above)

Job description

About the RoleAt Waterloo Lodge School, we're on the lookout for a passionate and dedicated Learning Support Assistant to join our incredible team. Whether you're already in education, care, youth work, coaching, or mental health support, or you're eager to start a rewarding new career, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for!

Every day, you'll play a vital role in helping students with social, emotional, and mental health needs overcome barriers, build confidence, and achieve meaningful progress. No two days are ever the same! One moment you could be supporting learning in the classroom, and the next, you might be engaging in outdoor learning, enrichment activities, or life skills development.

This isn't just a classroom support role; it's a chance to be a positive role model, build life-changing relationships, and help young people believe in themselves again.

What You Will Be Doing

• Supporting students in the classroom, in small groups, and on a one-to-one basis.
• Building positive, trusting relationships that help students feel safe, valued, and ready to learn.
• Collaborating with teachers to deliver engaging and personalized learning experiences.
• Encouraging students' independence, confidence, communication, and social development.
• Supporting positive behavior and emotional wellbeing through a calm and consistent approach.
• Assisting with enrichment activities, outdoor learning, educational visits, and life skills opportunities.
• Monitoring progress and celebrating achievements, no matter how big or small!

What You Will Bring

• GCSE English and Maths (Grade 4/C or above) or equivalent.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to stay calm and positive in challenging situations.
• A flexible and proactive attitude.
• Experience working with children, young people, or vulnerable individuals is beneficial but not essential.
• A genuine passion for helping students succeed and thrive.

We believe in giving you more time to do the things you love outside of work!

About Us

Waterloo Lodge School is an independent specialist day school for boys and girls aged 11 to 17, primarily catering to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and additional complex needs. We support students from Lancashire and the surrounding areas.

Our dedicated team works collaboratively to provide a safe, supportive, and structured learning environment that enables every student to achieve their full potential. We are committed to nurturing each young person's individual strengths and aspirations, supporting their independence, social, and personal development.

We pride ourselves on helping students build confidence, resilience, and independence, encouraging them to take pride in their achievements and develop the skills they need for the next stage of their education and future life. Socially, we support our students to develop a greater understanding of the wider community and participate in it with confidence and respect.

At Outcomes First Schools, we provide specialist education for learners who need a deeper level of understanding, expertise, and support than mainstream education can typically offer. We support students with a wide range of complex, co-occurring, and neurodivergent needs, including autism, ADHD, SEMH, speech and communication needs, dyslexia, and experiences of trauma or adversity.

We are proud to be part of OFG Education, which was officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running in 2025.

Why Join Us?

We place students and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks, and successful applicants will undergo a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits Include:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including: Health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• Hundreds of UK and international discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

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

OFG Education is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough, and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. While we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, OFG Education does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants due to 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.