Learning Support Practitioner

Dovetail And Slate Ltd; West Stow; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Dovetail and Slate Ltd is recruiting a Learning Support Practitioner to join a progressive Prison Education team in the Stradishall area. You will provide tailored 1-to-1 and in-class support to adult learners with ALN and SEND, helping them build independence and academic confidence as part of their rehabilitation journey.

Responsibilities include creating support plans, collaborating with tutors and healthcare teams, logging progress in MoJ systems, and maintaining safe, compliant learning

Qualifications

• GCSEs Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above.
• Desirable Level 3 qualification in supporting learning disabilities or willingness to achieve one.

Responsibilities

• Provide personalised 1-to-1 and in-class support for learners with ALN/SEND.
• Develop and update course-specific support plans using assessment tools.
• Collaborate with tutors, prison healthcare, and neurodiversity specialists.
• Record progress and maintain documentation within MoJ systems.
• Help maintain safe, engaging environments while adhering to security and safeguarding policies.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

IT literacy

Administration

Caseload management

Education

GCSE Maths & English C/4+

Level 3 in Supporting Individuals with Learning Disabilities (desirable)

Tools

MoJ systems

Job description

Job Title: Learning Support Practitioner

Location: Stradishall, Newmarket (HMP Highpoint area)

Salary: £26,227.50 per annum

Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

The Opportunity

Are you a compassionate, motivated individual with a passion for helping learners overcome educational barriers? Do you want to use your support skills to make a genuine, daily difference in a secure education environment?

We are recruiting for a dedicated Learning Support Practitioner to join a progressive Prison Education team in the Stradishall area. In this deeply rewarding role, you will work alongside tutors and education specialists to provide tailored 1-to-1 and in-class assistance to adult learners with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). By helping learners develop independence, self-advocacy, and academic confidence, you will play a central part in their personal rehabilitation journey.

What You Will Be Doing

• Tailored Learner Support: Build positive, trusting relationships with learners to deliver personalised 1-to-1 and in-class support, catering specifically to individuals with ALN, neurodiverse conditions, or physical disabilities.

• Support Planning & Reviews: Develop, maintain, and regularly update course-specific support plans using assessment tools (such as the Do It Profiler) and alignment with the SEND graduated approach.

• Cross-Department Collaboration: Work closely with tutors, prison healthcare teams, and neurodiversity specialists to champion a whole-prison approach to inclusion and assist with reasonable adjustments for formal assessments.

• Accurate Record Keeping: Manage and log all support documentation, student progress reviews, and transfer data accurately within Ministry of Justice (MoJ) systems.

• Safe Learning Environments: Help maintain safe, engaging, and inclusive workshop or classroom environments while ensuring strict adherence to prison security, safeguarding, and contractual standards.

What We Are Looking For

• Qualifications: GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths and English at Grade C / Grade 4 or above. A Level 3 qualification in Supporting Individuals with Learning Disabilities is desirable (or a willingness to achieve one).

• Experience: Proven experience supporting individuals with SEND or additional learning needs. Prior experience working within adult learning, FE, or secure prison environments is advantageous.

• Sector Knowledge: Good understanding of the SEND Code of Practice, effective learning strategies for ALN students, and awareness of the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (EIF).

• Core Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, solid IT literacy, excellent administration capability, and the ability to manage a caseload independently.

Important Notice

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory vetting, including a right to work check and, where relevant, an enhanced DBS, PVG (Scotland), or EWC (Wales) check, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Dovetail and Slate Ltd (11351060) acts as an Employment Agency and an Employment Business under the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003.

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