SEND Learning Support Assistant

Teaching Vacancies; Leeds; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Immaculate Heart Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy of St Gregory the Great Multi-Academy Trust, is seeking an enthusiastic SEND Learning Support Assistant to work with pupils with complex needs, including Autism and ADHD. The role is full-time and fixed term, starting as soon as possible, with responsibilities to help pupils access the curriculum and reach their full potential.

This is a fantastic opportunity to support learners in a Good school environment, with access to training

Qualifications

• Solid understanding of autism and neurodiversity-affirming practice.
• Experience implementing EHCP targets in classroom settings.
• Ability to adapt learning activities to reduce anxiety and engage reluctant learners.
• Excellent communication with families and staff.

Responsibilities

• Support pupils with complex needs to access the curriculum.
• Provide flexible, low-pressure activities to reduce anxiety and encourage participation.
• Maintain daily communication with home to monitor learning progress.
• Promote positive classroom behaviour and engagement.

Skills

Autism understanding

ADHD awareness

Behaviour support

Patience and resilience

Home-school communication

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

Immaculate Heart Catholic Primary School a Voluntary Academy of St Gregory the Great Multi-Academy Trust is looking to appoint an enthusiastic and creative SEND Learning Support Assistant to work with pupils with complex needs including Autism, ADHD and cognitive processing difficulties. Your role will be to support the pupils and to ensure that they access the curriculum and reach their full potential. This is a varied role that will require flexibility and a positive attitude. Starting as soon as possible, this is a full-time fixed term role.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a committed SEND Learning Support Assistant to make a difference to a pupil's experience of education.

To be considered for SEND Learning Support Assistant position, you will have:

• A secure understanding of autism that prioritises empathy, neurodiversity-affirming practice, and an awareness that behaviour is often a form of communication for unmet needs or underlying anxiety.
• A working knowledge and practical understanding of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and how it impacts executive function, engagement, and behaviour in a classroom environment
• Skilled at adapting learning opportunities into low-pressure, flexible activities that reduce anxiety and encourage active participation from reluctant learners.
• Demonstrates exceptional patience, emotional resilience, and a calm, adaptable approach when navigating complex behaviours, high anxiety, and task resistance.
• A proactive approach to facilitating peer interactions and a dedication to maintaining daily, detailed communication between home and school to monitor ongoing learning requirements.
• Understanding of EHCP Implementation: Experience working directly from an EHCP to implement specific, measurable targets and adapting daily learning to suit a child’s immediate needs.
• Initiative and act accordingly and set high expectations of the pupils you will work with.

What the school offers its staff

In return, we can offer the successful candidate the opportunity:

• To work alongside a dedicated and friendly team of staff in a Good school as rated by OFSTED in 2024
• To become part of a strong, collaborative team who are incredibly supportive.
• To access excellent accredited training through the St Gregory the Great trust, networks and additional alliances the school has with other educational providers
• To become part of our Catholic School Community
• To access our employee benefit scheme

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.