SEN Learning Support Assistant

Senploy; Tonbridge; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

Classroom Support in Tonbridge is seeking Learning Support Assistants to join a specialist SEN school. This long-term temporary role is agency supply with potential for permanent positions for the right candidates.

Mon-Fri, term-time-only, with immediate starts through December 2026. You will provide 1:1 and small-group support to students with various additional needs, help them access lessons and the wider curriculum, and promote independence and positive engagement in learning.

Qualifications

• Previous experience working with children or young people with Special Educational Needs.
• Experience supporting students with ASD, ADHD, SEMH or other additional needs.
• A patient, caring and compassionate approach.
• Confidence supporting students on a 1:1 basis and within small groups.
• Good communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to remain calm, positive and resilient when supporting challenging behaviour.
• A flexible and proactive attitude.
• A genuine passion for helping young people develop and achieve their potential.

Responsibilities

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support to students with a range of additional needs.
• Supporting pupils with ASD, ADHD, SEMH, hearing impairments and associated learning difficulties.
• Helping students access lessons, activities and the wider school curriculum.
• Encouraging independence, confidence and positive engagement with learning.
• Using appropriate strategies to support behaviour and emotional regulation.
• Working closely with teachers and other support staff to deliver consistent and effective support.
• Creating a safe, positive and inclusive learning environment.
• Using British Sign Language to communicate with students where required, depending on your experience and qualifications.

Job description

Contract: Long-term Temporary - Term Time Only

Are you an experienced Learning Support Assistant looking for a rewarding opportunity where you can make a genuine difference to the lives of children and young people?

Classroom Support is currently recruiting for multiple Learning Support Assistants to join a welcoming and supportive specialist SEN school in the Tonbridge area.

We are looking for enthusiastic, patient and dedicated individuals with experience supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs. Whether you have experience supporting students with Autism, ADHD, SEMH, hearing impairments or other additional learning needs, we would love to hear from you.

The school has a number of vacancies available, including general SEN classroom support positions and opportunities to work with students who use British Sign Language (BSL) as part of their everyday communication.

BSL experience and qualifications are advantageous but are not essential for all positions. Candidates holding BSL Level 2 or above will be particularly attractive for roles supporting students with hearing impairments, but we are equally keen to hear from experienced SEN Learning Support Assistants without BSL qualifications.

These are long-term opportunities, initially offered on an agency supply basis, with the potential for permanent positions for the right candidates.

What does the role involve?

• Providing 1:1 and small-group support to students with a range of additional needs.
• Providing 1:1 and small-group support to students with a range of additional needs.
• Supporting pupils with ASD, ADHD, SEMH, hearing impairments and associated learning difficulties.
• Supporting pupils with ASD, ADHD, SEMH, hearing impairments and associated learning difficulties.
• Helping students access lessons, activities and the wider school curriculum.
• Helping students access lessons, activities and the wider school curriculum.
• Encouraging independence, confidence and positive engagement with learning.
• Encouraging independence, confidence and positive engagement with learning.
• Using appropriate strategies to support behaviour and emotional regulation.
• Using appropriate strategies to support behaviour and emotional regulation.
• Working closely with teachers and other support staff to deliver consistent and effective support.
• Working closely with teachers and other support staff to deliver consistent and effective support.
• Creating a safe, positive and inclusive learning environment.
• Creating a safe, positive and inclusive learning environment.
• Using British Sign Language to communicate with students where required, depending on your experience and qualifications.
• Using British Sign Language to communicate with students where required, depending on your experience and qualifications.

What we're looking for:

• Previous experience working with children or young people with Special Educational Needs.
• Previous experience working with children or young people with Special Educational Needs.
• Experience supporting students with ASD, ADHD, SEMH or other additional needs.
• Experience supporting students with ASD, ADHD, SEMH or other additional needs.
• A patient, caring and compassionate approach.
• A patient, caring and compassionate approach.
• Confidence supporting students on a 1:1 basis and within small groups.
• Confidence supporting students on a 1:1 basis and within small groups.
• Good communication and relationship-building skills.
• Good communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to remain calm, positive and resilient when supporting challenging behaviour.
• The ability to remain calm, positive and resilient when supporting challenging behaviour.
• A flexible and proactive attitude.
• A flexible and proactive attitude.
• A genuine passion for helping young people develop and achieve their potential.
• A genuine passion for helping young people develop and achieve their potential.

Please note that BSL is not essential for all vacancies. We welcome applications from experienced SEN Teaching Assistants and Learning Support Assistants who have strong SEN experience but no formal BSL qualifications.

What's on offer?

• Immediate start opportunities through to December 2026.
• Immediate start opportunities through to December 2026.
• Long-term, ongoing supply work.
• Long-term, ongoing supply work.
• Monday-Friday, term-time-only working.
• Monday-Friday, term-time-only working.
• The opportunity to work within a specialist SEN environment.
• The opportunity to work within a specialist SEN environment.
• A supportive and welcoming school team.
• A supportive and welcoming school team.
• Potential for permanent employment for the right candidates.
• Potential for permanent employment for the right candidates.
• Valuable experience working with students with a wide range of additional needs.
• Valuable experience working with students with a wide range of additional needs.

Enhanced DBS Requirements

Candidates must hold an Enhanced DBS certificate with Children's Barred List check, registered on the DBS Update Service, or be willing to obtain a new Enhanced DBS and register it on the Update Service.

Safeguarding & Compliance

Classroom Support is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This role requires a strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection.

Successful applicants will be subject to safer recruitment checks, including:

• An Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List (registered on the Update Service), or willingness to obtain one.
• An Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List (registered on the Update Service), or willingness to obtain one.
• Professional reference checks.
• Professional reference checks.
• Right to work verification.
• Right to work verification.
• Any additional pre-employment checks required in line with Department for Education guidance.
• Any additional pre-employment checks required in line with Department for Education guidance.