Specialist Support Staff

Everest Recruitment and Services ltd; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialized educational support service in the United Kingdom seeks a Specialist Support Staff member to assist students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The role involves providing tailored support, creating learning resources, and monitoring student progress. Candidates should have GCSEs in English and Maths and a Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support. Benefits include term-time contracts, pension access, and funded professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Work-life balance

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

Funded professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• GCSEs in English and Maths (Grades 9–4 or A*–C).
• Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning is preferred.
• Exceptional patience and emotional resilience are essential.

Responsibilities

• Deliver bespoke learning plans for specific students.
• Create specialized visual aids and modified curriculum materials.
• Monitor and report on student progress to the SENCO.
• Run small group sessions for literacy and numeracy.
• Collaborate with external specialists (Speech Therapists, Educational Psychologists).

Skills

Patience

Emotional resilience

Adaptability

Education

GCSEs in English and Maths (Grades 9–4 or A*–C)

Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning

Job description

Job Overview

The primary goal of a Specialist Support Staff member is to provide tailored assistance to students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) or those facing significant barriers to learning. Unlike general assistants, you will often focus on a specific area such as Autism (ASC), Speech and Language, or Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH).

Core Responsibilities

• One-to-One Support: Delivering bespoke learning plans for specific students.
• Resource Development: Creating specialized visual aids, sensory tools, or modified curriculum materials.
• Progress Tracking: Monitoring and reporting on student milestones to the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator).
• Intervention Leading: Running small group sessions for literacy, numeracy, or social skills.
• Therapeutic Liaison: Collaborating with external specialists like Speech Therapists or Educational Psychologists.

Key Requirements

• Academic Foundation: GCSEs in English and Maths (Grades 9–4 or A*–C).
• Specialist Training: A Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning is standard. Additional certifications in Team-Teach (de-escalation), Makaton, or Braille are highly valued.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional patience, emotional resilience, and the ability to adapt lessons "on the fly" to meet a student's mood or energy level.
• Legal Compliance: A mandatory Enhanced DBS check and a solid understanding of UK Safeguarding and "Keeping Children Safe in Education" (KCSIE) guidelines.

Benefits & Compensation

• Work-Life Balance: Often term-time only contracts, meaning you get approximately 13 weeks of holiday per year.
• Pension: Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), which is one of the most stable in the UK.
• Career Path: Clear routes to becoming a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA), SENCO, or even transitioning into teaching.
• Personal Growth: Funded opportunities for professional development (CPD) in niche areas like mental health first aid or neurodiversity.