SEND Learning Assistant

Havering Education Services; London; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Havering Education Services seeks a passionate SEND Learning Assistant to join their supportive team. The role involves working with children with complex needs, demonstrating flexibility and enthusiasm. Applicants should have experience in EYFS, be capable of providing personal care, and embrace the school's values.

Qualifications

• Experience or interest in supporting pupils with complex needs.
• Experience in working with Work Stations and PECS.
• Track record of supporting children with special educational needs.

Responsibilities

• Support pre-verbal children and assist in EYFS and lower KS1.
• Work as a 'Flexible LA' in different classes as needed.
• Provide intimate personal care as required.

Skills

Flexibility

Enthusiasm

Initiative

Humour

Education

Experience with pupils with complex needs

Manual handling training

Job description

Hours: 30 hours per week, term time (Monday – Friday, 8.30am – 3.30pm)

Contract: Fixed Term until 31st August 2026

Start Date: 1st September 2025

We wish to appoint an excellent and enthusiastic SEND Learning Assistant to join our friendly and supportive team. We are looking for a Learning Assistant (LA) who is flexible, enthusiastic, shows initiative and is passionate about children’s learning; one who will join our established team and contribute to our school’s community and vision.

We require the successful applicant to:

• Be experienced or interested in working with pupils with complex needs
• Be comfortable with working as a ‘Flexible LA’ – could be placed in different classes depending on the need of the school
• Be experienced in working with Work Stations and PECS and supporting pre-verbal children
• Be experienced in working in EYFS and lower KS1
• Be comfortable with intimate personal care, i.e. nappy changing
• Have a proven track record of successfully supporting children with special educational needs
• Knowledge of using hoists and manual handling training would be beneficial but not essential.

In addition to the above, we would like the applicant to be sensitive to children’s varying needs, be able to work under the guidance of the teaching team, Inclusion Manager and Leadership Team and, crucially, to have a sense of humour (essential in this environment!)

The post is on a fixed term basis starting 1st September 2025 to 31 st August 2026.

Please see attached Job Description & Application Form.

Only completed application forms will be considered.

Closing Date:Friday 20th June2025

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. It is also committed to ensuring that all staff employed at the school have obtained satisfactory Disclosure Barring Service clearance.

Safeguarding

Havering Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The protection of our pupils from abuse is the responsibility of all staff within our schools, superseding any other considerations. Therefore Havering Schools comply with the Department for Education ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidance.

It is an offence to apply for a post which involves engaging in regulated activity relevant to children if you are barred from doing so. Please be advised that, again in line with ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, shortlisted candidates (who wish to accept an invite to interview) will be required to submit, prior to their interview, a self-declaration of their criminal record or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. Upon submission of this information, online checks may be carried out.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; the successful applicant will be expected to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure check. Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from obtaining a position with the School.

Equal Opportunities

Havering Schools aim to promote and ensure equality of opportunity and equal treatment for all. We are committed to equal opportunities in employment regardless of gender, marital status, race, colour, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origins, disabilities, age, sexual orientation, responsibility for dependants, religious or political affiliation and trade union activities. All matters related to employment are decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.