Sensory Room Support Assistant

Sight Village; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On site parking

Fitness Centre access

Cycle to Work Scheme

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Queen Alexandra Charity in Birmingham is seeking a Sensory Room Support Assistant to promote independence for students and support regulation in the sensory room. You will work under the Occupational Therapist and Sensory Coordinator to create resources and monitor student progress in relation to sensory and physical needs.

The role requires Level 2 English & Maths, strong communication, experience with SEN learners, and the ability to engage with staff, families, and external contacts.

Qualifications

• Level 2 – English & Maths (equivalent).
• Ability to communicate effectively with young adults with barriers to learning, including behaviours that challenge.
• Experience with SEN learners with moderate to severe learning difficulties and delivering appropriate curriculum/approaches.
• Ability to communicate with staff, parents, carers and external contacts using diverse media.
• Ability to demonstrate therapeutic interventions for learners with visual impairment and autism/complex disabilities.
• Familiarity with communication methods and assistive tech for learners with visual impairment and other disabilities.
• Experience working with young adults with barriers to learning.
• Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good IT skills, including Word processing, Excel and Microsoft programmes.

Responsibilities

• Support the OT and Sensory Coordinator to ensure the sensory environment is suitable for students’ needs.
• Assist in creation and preparation of differentiated resources.
• Record progress of students against targets related to sensory and physical needs.
• Implement Positive Sensory Plans and risk assessments.
• Participate in team meetings and adapt communication styles for a constructive environment.
• De-escalate behaviour per positive behaviour support plan using CPI techniques where applicable.
• Support the Positive Behaviour Team with 333 radio calls when regulation support is needed.
• Assist during unstructured times to ensure safe sensory room supervision.
• Use data access tools to review student information and tailor support.

Skills

English & Maths

Communication

SEN learners experience

Teamwork

IT skills

Job description

Careers at

Sensory Room Support Assistant

Salary: £18,973.16 - £20,645.97 per annum (Pending pay award rise to be applied)

Hours: 32.5 hours

Weeks: 39 Weeks (Term Time Only)

Application Deadline August 24, 2026

Department: Therapies

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Harborne, Birmingham, UK

Workplace type: Onsite

Compensation: £18,973 - £20,646 / year

Reporting To: Occupational Therapist - Sensory

You will be responsible for promoting independence for our students in the sensory room and to support their regulation

To learn more about the area of the Charity you would be working in please watch this short video - Queen Alexandra College

Key Responsibilities & Safeguarding

• Support the OT and Sensory Coordinator to ensure the Sensory environment is suitable for students sensory or support needs
• Support the OT in the creation and preparation of differentiated resources.
• Recognising & Recording progress of students against their targets; specifically in relation to their sensory and physical needs
• Understand the purpose and intent of the student’s Individual Positive Sensory Plans; including the techniques utilised to support their sensory and regulation needs
• Participate in team meetings
• Adaptable approach to the different social, emotional and regulation needs of our students
• Understand disability theory & practical implementation of this to engage students in their sensory therapy
• Adapt styles of communication to develop a positive and constructive therapeutic environment
• Liaise and implement strategies from the Occupational Therapist Support communication through the development of your own skills in communication methods (PECs/Makaton/BSL)
• Recognise the social and emotional needs of our students and adapt your support in line with the agreed strategies to support positive improvements
• Contribute to the development and updating of Positive Sensory Plans and Risk Assessments, sensory related protocols and other sensory interventions/ programmes.
• De-escalate behaviour that challenges in line with the positive behaviour support plan, utilising all training and CPI techniques where applicable.
• Undertake preventative work to reduce the likelihood of behaviour that challenges.
• To support the Positive Behaviour Team with 333 radio calls where a student requires regulation support in the regulation zones
• During unstructured time, ensure students are safely supported in the sensory room.
• Use technology to access information on students to ensure their support needs are met.
• Ability to talk to external professionals, families and careers, where directed to support students
• Participate in personal education, including mandatory and skills development training
• Actively engage with Peer Mentoring for yourself, along with new and existing colleagues.

Essential Criteria

• Level 2 – English & Maths (equivalent)
• Ability to communicate effectively with young adults with barriers to learning, including those who may present behaviours that challenge
• To have previous experience of SEN learners with moderate to severe learning difficulties and be able to provide the associated curriculum, approaches and strategies
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, parents, carers, and other external contacts, at all levels, using a variety of media.
• To be able to demonstrate therapeutic interventions as appropriate to people with visual impairment and autism and/ or complex disabilities.
• To be familiar with communication methods and access technology as appropriate to learners with visual impairment and other disabilities
• Experience of working effectively with young adults with barriers to learning
• Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Good IT skills, including word processing, Excel and Microsoft Programmes

Benefits

• Access to on site car parking
• Use of QAC Fitness Centre (subject to opening hours)
• Cycle to Work Scheme (Salary Sacrifice)
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme Helpline (BHSF)
• Access to Education Support Free Helpline for Teachers & Education Staff
• QAC Mental Health First Aiders & activities to support health and wellbeing
• BHSF Benefits Package including Healthcare Plans, discounted shopping/services
• Annual Flu vaccination/voucher
• Access to other benefit/discount schemes (which may be subject to charge) e.g. Blue Light Card, TOTUM (NUS), Charity Worker Discounts, Discounts for Teachers
• Dell Advantage programme - a free programme that offers savings to students, parents and all staff at QAC - up to 20% off. https://www.dell.com/en-uk/lp/dell-advantage
• Health and Wellbeing Services (Occupational Health/Counselling)
• Free Tea/Coffee and Staff Room facilities
• Dining Room facilities with hot/cold food (free meal provided for those supporting students at mealtimes)
• Additional discretionary concessionary/closure days as part of leave entitlement (including closure over Christmas/New Year period)
• Reward and Recognition Policy – Living the Values Awards (team & individual) and long service
• Enhanced/Occupational paid leave e.g. maternity/paternity (subject to qualifying criteria)
• Occupational sick pay (based on length of service)
• On site wellbeing activities (e.g. yoga, meditation)
• Support for training/ CPD (either by way of study leave and/or funding)
• Flexible working arrangements including Flexible Working Policy Agreements, Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) in prior agreement with line manager.

Schedule 1 Benefits (reviewed annually and/or as appropriate)

About Queen Alexandra Charity

Queen Alexandra Charity (QAC) provides education, residential support, community services and enterprises in support of young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Education is provided through a national residential College that supports a diverse range of student/client abilities and needs. Our College provides education, training, routes to independent living and employment through an innovative, holistic approach to learning and support. It offers a vibrant, varied and fun educational experience for both residential and day students. Our curriculum aims to maximise adult life, independence and work opportunities for all students. Class sizes are small and support levels high.

We have educational and learning sites based in Birmingham, one of Europe’s most welcoming and vibrant cities, with a rich and diverse culture. Our main site is based in Harborne, a pleasant leafy Birmingham suburb, on a friendly and green 8‑acre campus with excellent facilities and resources. In addition we also have Pinewood Campus which is located on a business park and is designated to employment progression.

Clients within our Residential Services programme still require support and the aim is to deliver a service that provides them with the means to live independently/semi independently into the future. Many clients are either in education, voluntary work or paid employment not linked to QAC directly.

Our Community Services based at our Umberslade Campus in Stirchley include a supporter worker service, women's group, men's group, LGBTQ plus group, Saturday Socials, The Night Owl Experience (disability friendly night club visit in Birmingham City Centre).

All students, clients and staff are supported within safe and well-resourced environments.

QAC makes a positive difference to the lives and learning of people with disabilities and learning difficulties. We have high expectations of staff, students and clients whilst being responsive, innovative and collaborative. Our Charity values drive how we work with students, clients, stakeholders and as a team.

We continue to attract and retain staff of the highest calibre, who are proud of QAC’s achievements and who wish to be an integral part of ongoing and future successes.

As Leaders in Diversity which drives the culture at QAC and we warmly welcome applications from individuals who share our values, from all backgrounds, to add to our committed and diverse team.

Documents

Sensory support assistant jd aug 2026