Outdoor Learning Support Assistant

Teaching Personnel; Taunton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A specialist education provider in Taunton is recruiting a Learning Support Assistant to engage with students with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health needs. This rewarding role emphasizes outdoor education and practical experiences to help students develop confidence and skills. Ideal candidates should possess experience with SEMH and a passion for supporting vulnerable learners through innovative, hands-on approaches. Competitive pay and training opportunities are offered, with the potential for long-term placement.

Benefits

Competitive weekly pay

Ongoing CPD and training opportunities

Dedicated consultant support

Qualifications

• Experience working with young people with SEMH needs is essential.
• Experience in outdoor learning or alternative provision is preferred.
• Ability to plan engaging activities in small groups.

Responsibilities

• Provide tailored SEMH support to help students access learning.
• Build trusting relationships to improve student engagement.
• Lead outdoor learning sessions based on Forest School principles.
• Support enterprise projects including gardening and plant sales.

Skills

Experience with young people with SEMH needs

Outdoor learning and Forest School

Strong communication skills

Calm and resilient in challenging situations

Record-keeping

Education

GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths

Job description

Overview

Learning Support Assistant (SEMH - Outdoor, Alternative Provision & Enterprise) – Taunton

Teaching Personnel is working in partnership with a specialist provision in the Taunton area to recruit a Learning Support Assistant to support students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. This is a varied and rewarding role with a strong focus on outdoor learning, alternative provision, and enterprise-based education.

This position is ideal for someone passionate about supporting vulnerable learners through practical, hands-on approaches that help students re-engage with education and develop confidence, resilience, and real-world skills.

Responsibilities

• Providing tailored SEMH support to help students access learning and regulate emotions
• Building positive, trusting relationships to improve engagement and resilience
• Supporting learning in classrooms, small groups, and outdoor or alternative provision settings
• Planning and delivering outdoor learning sessions inspired by Forest School principles
• Leading gardening and horticulture activities, including planting, cultivating, and seasonal maintenance
• Using outdoor learning to develop teamwork, confidence, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Supporting enterprise projects such as plant sales, crafts, or community-based initiatives
• Helping students develop skills in planning, budgeting, marketing, and sales
• Supporting the delivery and evidence collection for accredited learning such as UAS
• Using trauma-informed and relational approaches to support behaviour and emotional wellbeing
• Working closely with pastoral staff, SENCOs, and external professionals
• Maintaining accurate records and contributing to reviews and intervention planning
• Supporting safeguarding procedures and ensuring concerns are logged appropriately

What we are looking for

• Has experience working with young people with SEMH needs
• Has experience in outdoor learning, Forest School, gardening, or alternative provision
• Can plan and lead engaging small-group activities
• Has a strong understanding of trauma-informed and relational behaviour approaches
• Is calm, resilient, and solution-focused in challenging situations
• Has strong communication, organisation, and record-keeping skills
• Holds GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths
• Is willing to attend training, excursions, and residentials when required
• Desirable experience includes Forest School qualifications, UAS delivery, enterprise projects, first aid or outdoor first aid training, and experience in alternative or therapeutic education settings.

What Teaching Personnel offers

• Competitive weekly pay through PAYE
• Ongoing CPD and training opportunities
• Dedicated consultant support
• A thorough safeguarding and compliance process
• Opportunities for long-term and permanent roles
• All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ's on the Teaching Personnel website for details.
• All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
• Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
• We offer all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.
• For details of our privacy policy, please visit the Teaching Personnel website