SEN Key Worker

Ridgewood School; Doncaster; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Ridgewood School in Doncaster is seeking an SEN Key Worker to support students with special educational needs within and beyond the classroom. This role works under the guidance of the SENCO and the SEN Leadership Team to ensure barriers to learning are removed and the curriculum is accessible for all.

You will provide targeted in-class support, identify struggling students, and offer bespoke one-to-one or small group assistance to help students stay on task and engage with lessons.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting students with SEN.
• Ability to re-explain tasks and break down instructions.
• Willingness to train in moving and handling.

Responsibilities

• In-class support for students on the SEN register.
• Remove barriers to learning so SEN students access the curriculum.
• Identify struggling students and provide prompts to start tasks.
• Provide additional scaffolding for SEN students as required.
• Offer one-to-one or small group support as needed.
• Engage in CPD and training as directed.

Skills

Moving & handling

SEN knowledge

Communication

Job description

Main Duties and Responsibilities

SEN Key Workers are responsible for the implementation of the SEN Code of Practice (2015) within school, under the guidance and direction of the SENCO and SEN Leadership Team. All references to SEN in this document include students with special educational needs or disabilities.

SEN Key Workers are responsible for:

Removing barriers to learning, so that students with SEN reach the same curricular goals as all other students

Supporting the students across all subjects and aspects of the wider curriculum, and must be trained, or willing to train, in moving and handling.

Fulfilling the role of a ‘key worker’ for a number of specified ‘K’ students on the SEN register

In class support:

Effective in-class support for students on the SEN register, and others as directed by the classroom teacher.

Remove barriers to learning, so that students on the SEN register can access the same curricular goals as all other students.

Model being attentive to the teacher, and support students to stay on tas.k

Identify struggling students and provide prompts and reminders to start tasks.

Re-explain tasks and break instructions down into smaller steps as required.

Provide additional scaffolding for students with SEN as required, and know when to remove this scaffolding.

Offer bespoke one-to-one or small group support to students who need additional modelling or support.

Praise and encourage students to remain on task and motivated.

Other tasks as directed by the teacher, for example supervising other students whilst they reteach concepts to students with SEN.

Outside of the classroom support:

Fulfilling the role of ‘key worker’ for a number of specified ‘K’ students on the SEN register. For the identified students, this will include: mentor check in meetings with these students, regular phone calls to parents/carers, involvement in in-person meetings regarding the students and ensuring Pupil Passport are updated.

Being the initial point of contact for queries relating the postholder’s Key Worker students.

Providing support for after school activities for students on the SEN register, for example contributing to enrichment activities, support in the library, supervision of SEN detentions etc.

Administrative tasks as directed by the SEN Leadership team.

Fully participating in a programme of CPD and training which contributes to the success of all students with SEN.

Miscellaneous

To play a full part in the life of the school supporting its distinctive ethos and values, and actively promoting its policies and practices.

To take an active role in encouraging all students, including our most vulnerable learners, to engage in the extra-curricular thread of school life.

To dress in a professional manner in line with the school dress code.

To undertake such other reasonable tasks that your Line Manager may from time to time reasonably request.

To engage actively in the Performance Management Review process.

To be aware of the responsibility for personal Health, Safety and Welfare and that of others who may be affected by your actions or inactions.

To co-operate with the employer on all issues to do with Health, Safety and Welfare

To undertake appropriate training as required in order to be able to undertake the duties and responsibilities that are required.

To comply with the Academy’s policies and procedures at all times.

To work and process personal and sensitive information in accordance with Data Protection Act 2018 including the General Data Protection Regulations.

This job role sits alongside the requirement for staff to abide by all school policies and relevant national and local requirements including terms and conditions and national standards. This job profile is not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties as necessary and appropriate.

All posts at the school are subject to a six month probationary period. Confirmation of the position is subject to satisfactory completion of this period.

What makes Ridgewood School special?

At Ridgewood School we are extremely proud of our school and the high quality of education that we provide, including our popular and highly successful Sixth Form. Our school motto, ‘Prepare for the road ahead,’ represents our belief in preparing our students for their future, not only in terms of academic achievement, but also in terms of the training, enrichment and experiences which will enable them to become model citizens and responsible members of the community. Our school values: Respect-Responsibility-Resilience, underpin what we do every day and contribute to our ethos in everything we undertake as a school community. In our most recent Ofsted, we achieved a ‘Good’ rating in all categories, and we are committed to this trajectory of success for our students as we aspire to move from ‘Good to Great.’ As part of this journey, in July 2023, we joined Leger Education Trust and collaborate with other schools within the trust to develop both our students and staff and be the very best that we can be.

We are looking to appoint a friendly and adaptable SEN Key Worker who will contribute to the success of a high performing team, and provide excellent support for all students on the SEN register.

Why is the role of SEN Key Worker right for you?

We are committed to offering the staff who work at Ridgewood every opportunity to become the best they can be. Our training packages, for staff at all stages of their careers, are second to none. As well as our whole school and departmental training, we also offer a personalised coaching programme, NPQs and bespoke CPD, relevant to the person’s role. In 2025, we received the Teacher Development Trust Gold Award, demonstrating our commitment and passion to providing excellent CPD for all teaching and associate staff.

If you are seeking a dynamic, innovative and caring school, dedicated to the development of staff and our students’ success, Ridgewood is the school for you.

The closing date for this post is 9am Tuesday 29 September 2026. Interviews will be held soon after.

Ridgewood School reserve the right to close this advert prior to the closing date above.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants will undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers. The role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS certificate, the role is engaged in regulated activity and will therefore require a children’s barred list check. Shortlisted Applicants will be required to complete a self-disclosure.

The school operates a no smoking policy.