Learning Support Assistant - Maternity Cover Fixed Term

Middlesbrough College Group; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 16,000 - 17,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday entitlement

Gym membership & wellbeing services

Flexible hours

EAP (Counselling and support)

CPD opportunities

Job summary

Middlesbrough College is seeking Learning Support Assistants on a term-time basis to provide high-quality support to students with additional learning needs. Two part-time posts are available, with hours of 29.5 per week across 38 weeks, including one 33-hour and one 18.5-hour option.

You will work with teaching staff to enable students to access learning, develop independence and participate fully in college life, including personal care where required.

Qualifications

• Level 2 qualification in supporting students with learning difficulties/care or commitment to achieving this within an agreed timescale.
• Grade 4/C or above in Maths and English (or equivalent).
• Willingness to undertake any mandatory training relevant to the role.
• A vocational qualification at Level 2 – Desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality learning support to ensure all student support needs are met while in college.
• Assist students to access learning and develop independence, including supporting study skills, behaviour, and engagement.
• Work closely with teaching staff and other professionals to deliver effective, inclusive support tailored to individual learners.
• Support students with a range of needs, including academic support (e.g. note taking, prompting) and, where required, personal care and mobility assistance.
• Promote inclusion and participation, supporting students’ social integration and enabling them to fully engage in college life.

Skills

Maths & English

Health & safety

Risk assessment

Team player

Flexible SEN delivery

Education

Level 2 qualification in supporting students with learning difficulties/care

Desirable Level 2 vocational qualification

Job description

Job Title: Learning Support Assistant

Department: Additional Learning Support

Reporting to: Head of Additional Learning Support

Contract: MC Teaching Support, Part Time, Fixed Term (Maternity Cover), Term Time Only (38 weeks)

Salary: £16,371 - £17,021 per annum (actual salary)

Hours:29.5 hours (38 weeks term time only)

Pension: Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

The Role

We are seeking dedicated and supportive Learning Support Assistants to join our team on a term-time only basis. We have two part time opportunities available, one working 33 hours per week and another working 18.5 hours per week.

In this role, you will provide high-quality in-class and one-to-one support to students with additional needs, helping them to access learning, develop independence, and achieve their full potential. Working closely with teaching staff, you will support a range of academic and personal care needs, contribute to an inclusive learning environment, and ensure students are able to fully participate in college life.

These posts are offered on a fixed‑term basis to cover maternity leave. However, as a large organisation, Middlesbrough College regularly advertises a range of roles, and employees are welcome to apply for suitable opportunities that arise during their employment, which may enable them to continue their career with the College.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high quality learning support to ensure all student support needs are met while in college.
• Assist students to access learning and develop independence, including supporting study skills, behaviour, and engagement.
• Work closely with teaching staff and other professionals to deliver effective, inclusive support tailored to individual learners.
• Support students with a range of needs, including academic support (e.g. note taking, prompting) and, where required, personal care and mobility assistance.
• Promote inclusion and participation, supporting students’ social integration and enabling them to fully engage in college life.

Qualifications

• An appropriate Level 2 qualification (or equivalent) in supporting students with learning difficulties/care, or a commitment to achieving this within an agreed timescale.
• Grade 4/C or above in Maths and English (or equivalent).
• A willingness to undertake any mandatory training relevant to the role.
• A vocational qualification at Level 2 – Desirable.

Experience

• Knowledge or experience of working with students who have learning difficulties and disabilities.Vocational experience in a relevant subject area – Desirable.

Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge of health and safety procedures.
• Understanding of risk assessment processes.
• Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team.
• Flexibility to work across a range of special educational needs courses and/or various vocational settings.

Why Join Us?

• Substantial annual leave entitlement plus holiday purchase scheme.
• Health & Wellbeing; free gym membership, 24/7 counselling for you and your family
• Family-friendly policies: flexible hours and a supportive work environment
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): confidential support including counselling, legal and financial advice.
• Professional development: extensive training, mentoring, and career progression opportunities
• Funded CPD opportunities, regular staff development training, and paid volunteering days
• Access to discounted hair and beauty treatments at our onsite salon.
• College benefit scheme – College Extras:
• Up to 15% cashback at top retailers & restaurants
• Discounted gift cards for big brands
• Home & tech upgrades via salary sacrifice
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discounted onsite car parking.

Safeguarding Our Students

Middlesbrough College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students. All staff are expected to share this commitment. If you’re successful, you’ll be required to complete thorough pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. All roles within the College carry safeguarding responsibilities, including promoting student welfare, reporting any concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), and modelling safe and appropriate conduct in line with College policies.

All posts at Middlesbrough College involve regulated activity and are therefore exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (amended 2013 and 2020) mean that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The MOJ’s guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications, related exceptions and further information.

Please be aware that it is a Criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children.

As part of our shortlisting process, we will conduct an online search for all shortlisted candidates to identify any safeguarding or reputation‑related concerns (as required by KCSIE).

Right to work

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Recruitment Process

Applications are shortlisted for interview as they are received, and so early application is encouraged. We reserve the right to commence the interview process and close the vacancy prior to this date.

Equality & Diversity

Middlesbrough College is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is valued. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively support applicants with disabilities.

To learn more about working at Middlesbrough College, please visit our Work For Us page.

For further details and to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Bethan Lloyd, ALS Team Leader on [e-mail]