Learning Support Assistant

Phoenix Learning & Care Group; Torpoint; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holidays

Pension

Learning & Development

Discounts

Wellbeing support

Cycle2Work

DBS paid

Medicash

Job summary

Phoenix Learning & Care Group in Torpoint is seeking a Learning Support Assistant at Oakwood Specialist College to support learners aged 16+ living with Autism, ADHD and other disabilities. The role focuses on life skills, learning programmes, work experience, Maths and English, and enrichment activities within a small class.

You'll work 1-2-1 or in small groups, assist staff, keep learners engaged, and help them reach their goals.

Qualifications

• Patience, compassion, and resilience – learners with Autism/ADHD may affect behaviour and communication needs.
• Great communication skills – verbal and written communication is important for updating plans.
• A driving licence – learners may go on field trips and need transport.
• Genuine interest in education of people with Autism and other neurodiversity and disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Assisting teaching staff in classroom activities including planning, teaching and assessing learning.
• Working closely with students to keep them engaged and motivated to reach their full potential.
• Working 1-2-1 with learners, or in small groups to help achieve learning goals.

Skills

Patience

Compassion

Resilience

Communication skills

Driving licence

Interest in education for neurodivers

Job description

About The Role

Job Title: Learning Support Assistant

Job Location: Oakwood Specialist College, Torpoint PL11 2BJ

Salary: Between £22,204.50 and £23,052.00 per annum, based on working 37.5 hours per week, term time only (39.6 weeks per year)

Contract Type: Permanent

Every person deserves the chance to get an education. Some learners may need a little more help than others. That’s where you come in. As a learning Support Assistant, you’ll work with young people (Aged 16+) living with Autism, ADHD and other disabilities that impact their education.

Our curriculum isn’t like a mainstream college – We don’t focus as much on qualifications. The learning support you provide would be more focused on life skills, learning programmes, work experience, Maths and English skills, and other activities to enrich the learners’ experiences.

This college has between 5 and 7 learners in each class, so you’ll have the chance to really get to know the learners you support.

A day in the life of a Learning Support Assistant will involve:

• Assisting teaching staff in all classroom activities including planning, teaching and assessing learning.
• Working closely with students keeping them engaged, motivated and inspired to reach their full potential.
• Working either 1-2-1 with learners, or in small group settings to help them achieve their learning goals.

To be a successful Learning Support Assistant, you’ll need:

• Patience, compassion, and resilience – The learners you’ll support have Autism and ADHD, which may have an impact on their behaviour and communication needs.
• Great communication skills – Both verbal and written communication is important in this role as you’ll be speaking to a lot of different people at different times and need to be able to update the learners’ plans.
• A driving licence – Our learners love to go on fieldtrips. We need you to be able to drive them to where they need to go. We have the cars; you just need the licence.
• A genuine interest in a career focused on the education of people with Autism and other neurodiversity and disabilities.

In return for your time, you’ll get:

• Holidays – You’ll only work term time, but you’ll get paid 5.6 weeks annual leave as well!
• Pension scheme – Our pension scheme is based on you paying in 5%, and us adding 3%.
• Learning & Development Opportunities – We provide comprehensive learning opportunities for team members to develop themselves.
• Discounts – You’ll have access to brilliant discounts through the Blue Light Card and our own employee benefits platform.
• Wellbeing Support – Your wellbeing is always our priority. You’ll have access to mental health and wellbeing support. On top of this, our therapies team offers a monthly confidential check in clinic, and group reflective practice sessions.
• Cycle2Work -The cycle to work scheme enables you to buy a bicycle at a discounted rate.
• DBS – As this role required you to have an enhanced DBS carried out, we will cover this cost.
• After 12 months service – You’ll be eligible for our Medicash scheme which covers a wide range of medical, health and wellbeing expenses (Including immediate access to a GP!). You’ll get life assurance paid at 2 x your annual salary, and even more high street discounts.

As part of our commitment to safer recruitment, successful applicants will undergo pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS, online and social media checks, and reference validation. Due to the nature of our work, we are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974), so we may ask you to disclose any spent or unspent criminal convictions during recruitment. This disclosure does not automatically disqualify you, and we encourage transparency at the application stage.

At Phoenix Learning and Care, we are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive environment where all team members feel safe to be themselves without risk of discrimination. We believe that a diverse workforce strengthens our organisation, and we strive to ensure everyone can contribute authentically and openly.