Learning Support Assistant

Harris Federation; Thurrock; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution in Thurrock is seeking a Learning Support Assistant to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This role entails providing personal care, working closely with teachers, and ensuring the safety and inclusion of SEND students. Candidates should possess GCSE-level qualifications and effective communication skills. The position offers a competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a commitment to staff well-being.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Performance and Loyalty Bonus

Wellbeing Cash Plan

Qualifications

• GCSE Level qualifications or equivalent are required.
• Knowledge of pupils with social and emotional difficulties is essential.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person and in writing is crucial.

Responsibilities

• Support children with SEND and attend to personal needs.
• Work with teachers to implement plans for SEND children.
• Supervise and support SEND individuals to ensure safety.

Skills

Effective communication

Knowledge of Microsoft software

Understanding of social and emotional difficulties

Education

GCSE Level standard or equivalent

Job description

About Us

Harris Academy Riverside is a very popular non‑selective and highly oversubscribed academy which opened as part of the Harris Federation and the regeneration of the Purfleet on Thames area in 2017. We serve our local community of Purfleet on Thames and West Thurrock and have 900 students on roll in the secondary academy and around 200 students in the 6th form.

Vision

Harris Academy Riverside seeks to develop students who are successful, confident and happy, who inspire their community and who act with kindness and compassion toward others.

Ethos

In our procedures and daily routines, our broad and varied curriculum, our pedagogical model and through our commitment to providing experience of the wider world we aim to promote a strong sense of community and belonging, to provide a blend of high challenge and high support and to encourage the development of outstanding habits of behaviour such as self‑awareness, kindness, appreciation, humility, politeness, confident self‑expression and self‑presentation and outstanding habits of learning such as determination, resilience, organisation, reading, studying and practice.

Role Overview

We are currently looking to appoint a Learning Support Assistant to support children with SEND. The actual salary for this role will be £22,456.27 – £23,101.82 (35 hours per week, 38 week per year).

Main Areas of Responsibility

• Attending to the child's personal needs and implementing related personal programmes, including social, health, physical hygiene and welfare matters.
• Working with the class teacher and Inclusion Manager to support the implementation of person‑centred planning and targets for SEND children.
• Liaising with appropriate external SEND or health professionals to ensure that advice on provision for individual SEND children is effectively implemented.
• Supervising and supporting SEND children ensuring their safety and access to learning.
• Establishing good relationships with all children, acting as a role model and being aware of and responding appropriately to individual needs.
• Promoting the inclusion and acceptance of all children.
• Direct LSAs to support children's intimate care needs in line with the academy Intimate Care Policy, maintaining their health, safety and personal dignity where necessary.

Qualifications & Experience

• Qualifications to GCSE Level standard or equivalent.
• Knowledge and understanding of pupils with social and emotional difficulties that may impact upon their behaviour.
• Ability to communicate effectively and clearly both verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of Microsoft software.
• Some knowledge of social issues facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top‑quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search and, where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve.

Next Steps

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.