Learning Support Practitioner (Learning Support Assistant)

The Bedford College Group; Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Corby, Kettering; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

People’s Pension

Retail and Leisure Discounts

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The Bedford College Group is hiring eight Learning Support Practitioners to provide personalised support for SEND learners, enabling independent learning and curriculum access across multiple sites. You will work with teachers and ALS staff to differentiate and implement inclusive strategies, monitor progress, and contribute to EHCP planning.

The role requires a Level 3 Learning Support qualification and GCSE English and Maths at Level 2, with strong literacy and digital skills.

Qualifications

• Hold a Level 3 qualification in Learning Support with English/maths Level 2.
• SEND support experience in FE or similar settings.
• Strong literacy, numeracy and digital skills.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office tools to record progress.

Responsibilities

• Provide tailored learner support to remove barriers to learning.
• Collaborate with teachers and ALS staff for inclusive strategies.
• Observe, record and report learner progress and evidence for reviews.
• Engage with parents/carers and external professionals as needed.

Skills

Level 3 Learning Support

GCSE English & Maths Level 2

Digital literacy

Communication & recording

Education

Level 3 Learning Support qualification

GCSE/Functional Skills Level 2 English & Maths

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Role: Learning Support Practitioner (Learning Support Assistant) – X8 Roles

Location: Tresham College – Multi-Site

Salary/Benefits: Salary is between £25,585 and £30,915 per annum (Pro-Rata) DOE and Qualifications, People’s Pension, Retail and Leisure Discounts, excellent professional and personal development opportunities, accessing college courses.

Hours/Weeks: 37 hours per week – 37 weeks per year

Contract Type: Permanent – Term Time

UK based contract, and you are required to have the Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK.

About The Role

We are currently seeking eight Learning Support Practitioners to join our Foundation Learning and Additional Learning Support department at The Bedford College Group.

• Personalised Learner Support & Independence – Provide tailored, practical support to remove barriers to learning, helping SEND learners access the curriculum, build confidence, develop independence and achieve their full potential.


• Inclusive Practice & Classroom Collaboration – Work closely with teachers and ALS staff to implement effective differentiation, scaffolding and inclusive strategies across classrooms, workshops and community learning settings.


• Progress Monitoring & Impact Evidence – Observe, record and report learner progress, contributing high‑quality evidence for reviews, EHCP processes and planning to ensure support is impactful and responsive.


• Professional Collaboration & SEND Expertise – Liaise with parents/carers, therapists and external professionals, engaging in CPD aligned to SEND reforms, assistive technologies and inclusive teaching practices.


• Safeguarding, Values & Continuous Improvement – Uphold safeguarding, EDI and health & safety requirements, reflect on practice and contribute proactively to whole‑college approaches that strengthen SEND support quality and consistency.

About You

• Qualifications & Core Skills – Hold a Level 3 qualification in Learning Support or a related field, with GCSE/Functional Skills Level 2 in English and maths, and strong literacy, numeracy and digital skills.


• SEND Support Experience – Proven experience supporting learners with SEND and additional needs in FE, specialist or multi‑agency settings, including individualised educational or care support.


• Inclusive Practice & Learner Independence – Strong understanding of SEND strategies, with the ability to promote independence, resilience, self‑advocacy and positive learner outcomes.


• Communication, Recording & Professional Practice – Calm, adaptable and solution‑focused, able to build trusting relationships, communicate effectively, and observe, record and report impact clearly using Microsoft Office tools.


• Professional Values, Flexibility & Safeguarding – Positive and flexible approach to working across sites and patterns, committed to inclusive practice, personal care support where required, ongoing CPD, and safeguarding the welfare of learners.

For a more detailed breakdown of the job role and the requirements, please see the Job Description attached to this vacancy.

Interviews to be held: TBC

Successful candidates must also be able to demonstrate alignment to our organisational VISION values:

• Valuing Teamwork - We are one team who by working together can achieve great things, respecting the opinion and valuing the contribution each of us makes.


• Improving Continuously - We challenge ourselves to always do better by trying new things, sharing knowledge, reflecting on practice and learning from others.


• Student Centred - At our heart is always doing what is best for our students. We consider students in all of our decision making to create positive outcomes and memorable experiences for every student.


• Inclusive - We celebrate differences and diversity, recognising that we can learn from each other.


• Open and Caring - We care about the wellbeing of our staff, our students, our community and wider society, creating an environment built on trust where we listen, engage with and support each other.


• Nurturing Education Excellence - We promote educational excellence by delivering programmes that challenge our students to achieve their ambitions.

About The Bedford College Group

The Bedford College Group was formed in 2017 following the merger of Bedford College and Tresham College and is now the largest provider of education in the South East Midlands, with over 15,000 students passing through our doors each year.

Today, the Group is made up of a family of colleges across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire:Bedford College, Central Bedfordshire College andTreshamCollegein the towns of Bedford, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough;ShuttleworthCollege,a specialist land-based college; The Bedford Sixth Form, (the only dedicated sixth form in Bedford); The Corby Sixth Form, (opened in September 2023); and the National College for MotorsportalongsideSilverstonerace circuit.To widen accessibility to education and training, the Group also has community-based Learning Centres in Bedford, Corby and Kettering which offer IT training.

Safeguarding our Students

The Bedford College Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to thorough vetting process which includes, an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide. The Bedford College Group's policy on Employment of Ex-Offenders is attached to this vacancy.

Candidates who are barred from working with children are reminded it is a criminal offence to apply for this post.