Learning Support Assistant

Aspire People Limited; St Helens; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Refer-a-Friend bonus

SEND-specific CPD and training

Job summary

Aspire People Limited is recruiting Learning Support Assistants for a Specialist SEND College in St Helens. You will provide 1:1 support to students with SEND, aiding their academic and practical development and helping them build independence and employability skills.

The role is full-time, long-term, with a pay from £14 per hour and a fixed daytime schedule, offering opportunities across college facilities and dedicated SEND settings.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting students with SEND in education or care settings.
• Ability to work 1:1 with students and adapt to individual needs.
• Strong teamwork and communication to collaborate with staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide dedicated 1:1 support to students with SEND.
• Support academic learning and development.
• Help students access practical and vocational activities.
• Support communication, confidence and social development.
• Encourage independence and life skills.
• Support students in café, animal centre, workshops and outdoor areas.
• Assist with employability and preparation-for-adulthood activities.
• Support emotional wellbeing and positive behaviour.
• Work closely with teachers and the support team.
• Help students overcome barriers to learning and achieve goals.

Skills

SEND experience

1:1 support

Teamwork

Communication

Safeguarding

Job description

Learning Support Assistant Opportunities - Specialist SEND College St Helens Specialist SEND Setting £14+ per hour Full-Time Long-Term

Are you passionate about supporting young people with SEND and helping them develop the skills, confidence and independence they need for the future?

Aspire People are working with a specialist SEND college in the St Helens area that is looking for dedicated Learning Support Assistants to join their team on a long-term, full-time basis.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a unique setting where the focus goes beyond academic achievement. Students are supported to develop life skills, independence, confidence and employability skills, helping them prepare for their next steps beyond education.

A College That Supports the Whole Student

The college provides a highly supportive environment where every student receives 1:1 support, allowing them to receive personalised guidance based on their individual needs, abilities and goals.

Alongside academic support, students have the opportunity to develop practical and vocational skills through a range of dedicated facilities and activities, including:

• On-site CaféStudents can develop communication, teamwork, customer service and practical workplace skills through the college's own café.
• Woodwork & Practical SkillsStudents are supported to develop practical skills, confidence and independence through hands-on activities such as woodwork.
• Landscape & Outdoor SkillsThe college provides opportunities for students to gain experience in landscaping, gardening and maintaining outdoor spaces.
• Dedicated Animal CentreStudents can develop responsibility, communication and practical skills through animal care within the college's dedicated animal centre.

These opportunities are designed to help students discover their strengths, build confidence and develop valuable skills that can support them in further education, employment and independent living.

What Will You Be Doing?

• Providing dedicated 1:1 support to students with SEND
• Supporting students with their academic learning and development
• Helping students access practical and vocational activities
• Supporting communication, confidence and social development
• Encouraging independence and life skills
• Supporting students within the café, animal centre, workshops and outdoor areas
• Helping students develop employability and preparation-for-adulthood skills
• Supporting emotional wellbeing and positive behaviour
• Working closely with teachers and the wider support team
• Helping students overcome barriers to learning and achieve their individual goals

The Wider Site

As well as the college, there are linked primary and secondary SEND settings on the same site, providing further opportunities for Learning Support Assistants and SEND Teaching Assistants. If working with younger pupils is more suited to your experience, there are opportunities to support students across the primary and secondary provisions, also providing individualised SEND support. This makes the site an excellent environment for anyone looking to build or develop a career within special educational needs and disability (SEND) education.

We're Looking For

• Experienced in SEND, education, care, support work, youth work or similar environments
• Patient, compassionate and resilient
• Confident supporting young people on a 1:1 basis
• Passionate about helping students develop independence
• Comfortable getting involved in practical and vocational activities
• Positive and adaptable in their approach
• Strong communicators who enjoy working as part of a team
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
• Previous SEND experience is highly desirable, but transferable experience from care, residential, youth work or support settings will also be considered.

The Role

Position: Learning Support Assistant

Setting: Specialist SEND College

Location: St Helens

Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm

Contract: Long-term, full-time

Pay: From £14 per hour

Start: September 2026, with flexible start dates throughout the first half term

Why Work with Aspire People?

• Pay from £14 per hour
• Full-time, long-term opportunities
• Dedicated consultant specialising in SEND education
• Access to free SEND-specific CPD and training
• Opportunities across college, secondary and primary SEND settings
• Consistent working hours of 8:30am-4:30pm
• Support throughout your placement
• Refer-a-Friend bonus - £100 for Teaching Assistants and £250 for Teachers

Make a Real Difference Every Day

This is more than a traditional Learning Support Assistant role. You'll have the opportunity to support young people academically, socially, practically and emotionally, helping them develop the skills they need to become as independent and confident as possible.

If you're looking for a rewarding, long-term SEND role where you can genuinely get to know your students and support them to reach their full potential, we'd love to hear from you.

Placements are subject, to appropriate Child Protection screening, including checks with former employers and the Disclosure and Barring Checks.