Learning Support Assistant

Newfriars College; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Part time

Job summary

Newfriars College in Staffordshire is seeking a Learning Support Assistant to help learners with SEND in both college and community settings. You will work with teaching staff to support personal care needs and enable participation in activities.

The role is permanent, part-time, term-time with inset days, up to 3 days per week, with safeguarding procedures in place and DBS checks. Experience or willingness to learn about SEND, strong teamwork and excellent communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Confident in working with (or keen to learn about) young people with SEND.
• Passionate, open to learning, and committed to best practice.
• Team players with excellent communication skills.
• Comfortable in a dynamic environment in College and community/work experience activities.

Responsibilities

• Support learners' personal and physical care needs, including changing and feeding as required.
• Provide in-class support and enable participation in community activities, including pushing wheelchairs.

Skills

SEND experience

Team player

Excellent communication

Adaptable in diverse settings

Job description

Learning Support Assistant

Permanent, Part Time, Term Time plus 5 inset days (working 39 weeks)

Up to 3 days per week (guaranteed hours to be agreed on appointment)

We currently have opportunities for motivated and enthusiastic Learning Support Assistants to join our college learner support team. This role works closely with our teaching assistants and teachers to support young people with a range of disabilities and support needs.

Responsibilities will include supporting learners' personal and physical care needs, such as changing and feeding, alongside providing in-class support and enabling young people to take part in community-based activities (including pushing wheelchairs).

We are seeking individuals who are:

• Confident in working with (or keen to learn about working with) young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).
• Passionate, open to learning, and committed to best practice.
• Team players with excellent communication skills.
• Comfortable in a varied, dynamic environment - both in College and supporting community or work experience activities.

Newfriars College is an Independent Specialist Day College in North Staffordshire dedicated to supporting young people with learning difficulties and disabilities aged 16-25. Our aim is to transform the lives of young people through partnership, collaboration, enterprise and innovation. Our vision is to maximise opportunities within the community and provide a breadth and richness of experience that enables all our learners to reach their full potential and be part of an inclusive society.

We provide specialist resources and facilities for all our learners and have an excellent support network within the local area. This provides the college with many opportunities including transition routes into the wider community, employment and supported work experience, independent living and specialist support from highly skilled multi-agency professionals and therapists. Learning in the community and vocational education is extremely important and we are eager to successfully prepare our young peoples for adulthood.

We are driven by our vision for a society in which young people with disabilities are able to realise their potential and are given the skills, support and assurance to have a better future.

Application deadline: 6th September 2026

Interview date: Week commencing 14th September

Safeguarding Statement

Newfriars College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This position is subject to robust vetting procedures, including an online search for all shortlisted candidates, in line with our College's commitment to safer recruitment.

An enhanced criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), formerly known as the CRB, is required. You will be asked to disclose all relevant unspent and, where applicable, unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions, and convictions.

This role involves working with children and young people and therefore carries specific safeguarding responsibilities, details of these responsibilities are set out in the job description and person specification. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful applicant will be required to disclose relevant criminal history information in accordance with current legislation and guidance.

Check if you need to tell someone about your criminal record: https://www.gov.uk/tell-employer-or-college-about-criminal-record/what-information-you-need-to-give

Newfriars College is an Equal Opportunities employer. We are fully committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection processes promote equality, diversity, and inclusion at every stage.

In accordance with our safer recruitment policy CVs alone will not be accepted.

We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date as we review applications on an on-going basis and interviews may be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, therefore, we encourage early applications.

Successful candidates will be subject to a fully Enhanced DBS check along with other relevant employment checks.