Sensory Room Support Assistant

Queen Alexandra College

Metchley

On-site

GBP 19,000 - 21,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

On site car parking

Cycle to Work Scheme

Education Support Helpline

Health & Wellbeing Resources

Free tea/coffee and staff room

Dining room facilities with free meal

Annual Flu vaccination

Flexible benefits package

Job summary

Queen Alexandra College in Harborne, Birmingham, seeks a dedicated Sensory Room Support Assistant to promote independence and support regulation in the sensory room for our students. You will work closely with the Occupational Therapist and Sensory Coordinator to ensure a supportive, safe environment tailored to individual needs.

This full-time role is 32.5 hours per week over 39 weeks (term time). Salary ranges from £18,973 to £20,646 per year, with comprehensive benefits and opportunities for

Qualifications

Level 2 English & Maths (equivalent)
Ability to communicate effectively with young adults with barriers to learning
Experience of SEN learners with moderate to severe learning difficulties
Ability to communicate with staff, parents, carers and external contacts
Familiar with communication methods and access technology for learners with disabilities
IT skills including word processing, Excel and Microsoft programmes

Responsibilities

Support OT and Sensory Coordinator to ensure the sensory environment is suitable for students
Create and prepare differentiated resources
Record progress of students against targets in relation to sensory and physical needs
Understand and implement Individual Positive Sensory Plans and techniques
Participate in team meetings
Adapt communication to develop a positive therapeutic environment
Liaise with Occupational Therapist and develop communication methods (PECs/Makaton/BSL)
Contribute to Positive Sensory Plans, Risk Assessments and sensory interventions/programmes
De-escalate behaviour in line with positive behaviour support plans and CPI techniques
Undertake preventative work to reduce challenging behaviour
Support the Positive Behaviour Team with 333 radio calls for regulation support
Ensure safety during unstructured time in the sensory room
Use technology to access information on students
Engage with external professionals, families and carers as directed
Participate in mandatory training and personal development
Engage in Peer Mentoring with colleagues

Skills

Level 2 English & Maths

Effective communication with young-adu

SEN learners experience

Staff/parent communication

Therapeutic interventions familiarity

Access technology for learners

IT skills (Word/Excel/MS Office)

Tools

Word processing

Excel

MS Office

Job description

Sensory Room Support Assistant

Application Deadline: 24 August 2026

Department: Therapies

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Harborne, Birmingham, UK

Reporting To: Occupational Therapist - Sensory

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

Description

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)

Job Purpose: 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.

Safeguarding Commitments

As part of our commitment to safeguarding, and in line with updated guidance published in September 2026, we will carry out an online search of all shortlisted candidates. This search may enable us to identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and publicly available for review online, which we may wish to explore with you in further detail during the interview process. As part of your application we have asked you to provide the account names, usernames and/or handles for any social media platform that you use, as well as the names of any websites that you own, post on, or contribute to. A Google search will also be conducted. These checks will only be conducted if you are shortlisted for interview. Please see our safer recruitment and selection policy for further information.

Under Section 7 of SVGA 2006 it is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. The College's Safeguarding Policies are available here.

We are deeply committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All required pre-employment checks will be undertaken, and offers of employment are subject to satisfactory outcomes. These include an enhanced DBS check with Children & Adult’s Barred List information, identity checks, o nline checks, and verification of professional qualifications and references. Further details are available in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

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

For further information on person specification please read the job description attached

Benefits

Are you passionate about making a difference to the lives of students with special educational needs? Do you thrive in an inclusive and supportive academic environment? If so, we want YOU to join our team.

QAC has dealt with a period of swift growth and academic improvement and this is your opportunity to become part of a vibrant College that is moving forward and making a real difference to the lives and futures of our students. Queen Alexandra Charity offers you the chance to have a positive impact as you join a committed group of colleagues in ensuring that all students achieve their aims and aspirations. We are dedicated to providing exceptional education and support to students with diverse learning needs and life experiences. Our specialist setting fosters an inclusive community where every student is valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

QAC offers a vibrant, varied and enriching 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 designed to meet specific needs and support levels are high.

Joining our supportive team, you will have the opportunity to:

Work closely with students with SEN to achieve their goals
Make a difference to the educational experience of young people
Be a voice for students and staff in specialist education
Foster a positive and inclusive learning environment, promoting academic growth, self-development and self-confidence
Develop your own skills, aspirations and progress your career.

Our benefits include;

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

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.