Post 16 Teaching Assistant (Level 2)

Blackburn with Darwen Council; Crosshill; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 20,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

CPD and professional development

Cycle to work scheme

Medicash health plan and 24/7 EAP

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Crosshill School in Darwen is seeking a dedicated Post 16 Teaching Assistant (Level 2) to support students with SEND. The role focuses on developing confidence, independence, communication and employability, under teacher guidance, within a caring learning environment.

You will help deliver tailored activities, promote inclusion, and contribute to safe, engaging learning experiences, with opportunities to support learners on visits and in class.

Qualifications

• Commitment to supporting young people with SEND.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with students, families and staff.
• Proactive and flexible approach to supporting learning and wellbeing.
• Strong teamwork and willingness to contribute to school life.
• Experience with SEND (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Support Post-16 students with SEND to access learning and achieve their goals.
• Assist in delivering learning activities and support programmes under supervision.
• Encourage independence, communication, employability and life skills.
• Promote positive behaviour, wellbeing and engagement in learning.
• Support EHCPs, behaviour plans and personal care programmes where required.
• Monitor and record student progress and provide feedback to teachers.
• Contribute to a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment.
• Assist in accompanying students on educational visits and learning beyond the classroom.

Job description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Crosshill School

Salisbury Road

Darwen

BB3 1HZ

Job Title: Post 16 Teaching Assistant (Level 2)

Grade/Salary: Grade C, SCP 3-5, Actual Salary: £18,733 to £19,328 per annum

Contract Type:Permanent

Contract Terms:32.5 hours, Part Time

Closing Date: Wednesday, 2nd September

Required From:Thursday, 1st October 2026

We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Teaching Assistant to join our College provision, supporting Post-16 students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

In this rewarding role, you will work closely with teaching staff to help students develop confidence, independence, communication and employability skills, preparing them for adulthood, further education and the workplace. You will provide tailored support within the classroom, promote inclusion and positive engagement, and contribute to a safe, supportive and inspiring learning environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Post-16 students with SEND to access learning and achieve their individual goals.
• Assist in the delivery of learning activities and support programmes under the guidance of teaching staff.
• Encourage students to develop independence, communication, employability and life skills.
• Promote positive behaviour, wellbeing and engagement in learning.
• Support the implementation of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), behaviour plans and personal care programmes where required.
• Monitor and record student progress, providing feedback to teachers and contributing to reviews.
• Assist in creating a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment.
• Accompany students on educational visits and support learning beyond the classroom.

About You

We are looking for a caring, patient and enthusiastic individual who is passionate about helping young people with SEND thrive and achieve their full potential.

You will have:

• A genuine commitment to supporting young people with additional needs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to build positive relationships with students, colleagues and families.
• A proactive and flexible approach to supporting learning and wellbeing.
• Strong teamwork skills and a willingness to contribute to the wider life of the school.
• Experience of working with children or young people with SEND (desirable but not essential).

If you are dedicated to making a positive difference and want to help prepare young people for successful and fulfilling futures, we would love to hear from you.

Why Join Crosshill School

We are a diverse, happy community where students learn and develop in a nurturing and safe environment. We have a shared vision of "prepare and flourish" and we strive to ensure that all our students achieve their potential, regardless of their starting points. We are ambitious for all of our and are totally committed to overcoming any barriers to learning with which they may face. We re driven to ensure that our students develop into young adults who live settled, fulfilled and happy lives.

We are looking for a colleague who shares the clear vision that the child is at the heart of everything we do. One who can enjoy positive, professional relationships with young people and who demonstrates high levels of resilience and emotional intelligence. Every child is entitled to an outstanding education where they have excellent opportunities to achieve beyond their potential. We strive to develop the aspirations and values of every student and member of staff.

We are laying strong foundations for growth and have a clear vision for the trust. This role is a key part of our growth strategy and could be an excellent opportunity for the right candidate ready for their next step. We are a values driven organisation, are highly ambitious, passionate about doing things with integrity whilst maintaining a good sense of humour.

We would be happy to arrange a visit to the school, where we can discuss with you the importance of the school within the local community and how, by working with us, you can be part of the team that builds on the past, ensures performance in the present and prepares the students for their future successes.

Our Employee Benefits

At Oak Learning Partnership, you’ll find yourself in a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive environment, where everyone can grow, progress, and achieve a fulfilling career. We offer a fantastic range of rewards and benefits, challenging and interesting work, and opportunities to achieve your potential.

In return you will benefit from:

• Enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme with a generous employer contribution.
• Excellent Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
• A strong and caring ethos among staff and students
• Networking opportunities across our trust
• Salary sacrifices cycle to work scheme
• Healthcare plan through Medicash and is an easy to use health insurance. The health cash plan provides cashback towards your everyday healthcare bills, benefiting from a range of digital and virtual tools to help you protect and improve your wellbeing. 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme – emotional, financial and legal support to both you and your family by a team of qualified professionals
• Health and Wellbeing through Medicash with access to a 24/7 Telephone Support Service and Face to Face counselling service.

Application

We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date of the advertisement, should we identify an appropriate candidate.

Oak Learning Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in their care and expects everybody working for the organisation to share this commitment. To this end any offer of employment will be subject to safer recruitment checks and clearances. The successful candidate will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as part of the Trust's safer recruitment procedures. This requirement applies irrespective of any existing DBS certificate held through the DBS Update Service.

Our trust is cross phase and consists of primary, special, and secondary schools. We have a vision to transform lives through a highly inclusive approach.

‘Inclusion is at the heart of our trust’

The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Education Partnership Trust is also committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and developing community cohesion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.