SEN Learning Support Assistant

The Palmer Primary Academy; Reading; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Annual Leave

Professional Development

Flexible & Family-Friendly

Exclusive Discounts

Well-being Support

Job summary

The Palmer Primary Academy is seeking a dedicated Special Education Needs Learning Support Assistant to support children with a range of SEND needs, including EHCPs. Experience in Speech and Language, ADHD, SEMH or Autism is valued.

You will work with the class teacher, use your initiative to enhance teaching, and help create a supportive, calm environment where children can learn and progress. The role emphasizes safeguarding, confidentiality, and teamwork within a busy primary setting.

Qualifications

• At least one year experience of working with SEND children in the primary age range.
• Experience of working with children in a friendly, busy environment.
• An understanding of children with SEN needs.
• Level 2 qualification in play work/childcare.
• Paediatric first aid qualification (desirable).
• Knowledge of child safeguarding procedures.
• Have a sympathetic understanding of the emotional, social and intellectual needs of children with special educational needs.
• Motivated to work with children with special educational needs and to inspire confidence in them.

Responsibilities

• Be calm, patient and have good listening skills.
• Be able to build effective relationships with students, parents and other staff.
• Be reliable, trustworthy, discreet and able to maintain confidentiality.
• The ability to relate in a firm and friendly way with a wide range of personalities.
• The ability to use initiative.
• Be willing to undertake direction and guidance.
• Have a good understanding of behaviour management strategies.
• Be able to work as part of a team.

Skills

SEND experience

Speech & Language background

ADHD

SEMH

Autism

Education

Level 2 Play work/childcare

Paediatric first aid (desirable)

Job description

The Palmer Primary Academy wish to appoint a Special Education Needs Learning Support Assistant .The Learning Support Assistant role is vital to the school and involves supporting children with a variety of needs including Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP’s). We are particularly interested in speaking to individuals who have a background in Speech and Language, ADHD, SEMH and Autism.

SEND Learning Support Assistants are an important valued member of the teaching team. As well as working directly with the children’s teacher, the LSA is encouraged to use his/her own initiative and skills to enhance the quality of teaching and learning for the children.

In particular, successful applicants should have:

At least one years experience of working with SEND children in the primary age range

Experience of working with children in a friendly, busy environment

An understanding of children with SEN needs

Level 2 qualification in play work/childcare

Paediatric first aid qualification (desirable)

Knowledge of child safeguarding procedures

Have a sympathetic understanding of the emotional, social and intellectual needs of children with special

educational needs

Motivated to work with children with special educational needs and to inspire confidence in them

You should:

Be calm, patient and have good listening skills

Have the ability to build effective relationships with students, parents and other staff

Be reliable, trustworthy, discreet and able to maintain confidentiality

The ability to relate in a firm and friendly way with a wide range of personalities

The ability to use initiative

Be willing to undertake direction and guidance

Have a good understanding of behaviour management strategies

Be able to work as part of a team

Why Work with REAch2 Academy Trust?

Join REAch2 Academy Trust, one of the UK's largest primary academy trusts, with a mission to unlock the potential of every child, regardless of their background. Here’s why joining our team can be an exciting and fulfilling career choice:

• Excellence & Development: We prioritise high standards and offer extensive professional development and career growth opportunities.

• Supportive & Collaborative:Be part of a strong, collaborative community of over 60 schools where every voice is valued, and best practices are shared.

• Well-being Focus: We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer robust well-being support for all staff.

• Diversity & Inclusion: We celebrate diversity and believe that varied perspectives strengthen our schools.

• Innovation & Impact: Bring creativity to the classroom and make a real difference in children’s lives.

• Making a difference: Working with REAch2 means contributing to something bigger than yourself. You’ll be helping to shape the lives of young learners, making a meaningful impact on communities and future generations.

Join us to grow your career, collaborate with passionate educators, and make a lasting impact on future generations.

Benefits

We offer a range of benefits to support your career and well-being:

• Generous Annual Leave: healthy work-life balance.

• Professional Development: Access diverse CPD and training opportunities to grow your skills.

• Flexible & Family-Friendly: We are committed to supporting flexible working and requests will be considered on an individual basis, including options such as part time, term-time, home working, and other options that work for both the employee and the Trust.

• Exclusive Discounts: Benefit from Blue Light Card offers and employee perks.

• Well-being Support: Receive comprehensive well-being and employee assistance for you and your family.

Join REAch2 for a rewarding career with great benefits!

Safeguarding, Safer Recruitment and Data Protection

At REAch2 we recognise that those who work in an academy are in a unique position in their care of children. The responsibility for all staff to safeguard pupils and promote their welfare, as stated in Section 175 of the Education Act (2002) is one that is central to our ethos, our policies and our actions. All children are deserving of the highest levels of care and safeguarding, regardless of their individual characteristics or circumstances, and we are committed to applying our policies to ensure effective levels of safeguarding and care are afforded to all our pupils.

We will seek to recruit the best applicant for the job based on the abilities, qualifications, experience as measured against the job description and person specification. The recruitment and selection of staff will be conducted in a professional, timely and responsive manner and in compliance with current employment legislation, and relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.An enhanced DBS disclosure will be requested for all successful candidates, including a Children's Barred List check if the role meets the criteria for regulated activity.

All information is stored securely, and any information supplied by unsuccessful candidates will be destroyed through a confidential waste system six months after the decision has been communicated, in accordance with our information and records retention policy.

The Trust ensures all applicant data is stored and processed appropriately. For further details on how your information will be managed during the recruitment process please refer to our Privacy Notice for Job Applications.