Teaching Assistant - Student Support

Valence School; Limpsfield Chart; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

An educational institution in Limpsfield Chart seeks a Student Support Assistant to enhance students' personal and educational growth in residential settings. Responsibilities include supporting student care, handling mealtime assistance, and maintaining communication with staff. Applicants should possess good communication and teamwork skills, plus resilience. Full-time roles offer £24,528 annually, while part-time positions require at least three shifts weekly. Additional training towards a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare is supported.

Benefits

Fully funded qualifications and training

Generous pension scheme

Life cover

Staff wellbeing sessions

Retail discounts

Subsidised meals

Free on-site parking

On-site overnight staff accommodation

Qualifications

• Fit to support students with disabilities and complex medical needs.
• Experience in school or residential settings preferred.
• Commitment to professional development.

Responsibilities

• Support students in both educational and residential settings.
• Implement care support plans and maintain effective communication.
• Attend required training and undertake medication administration.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Teamwork

Adaptability

Resilience

Education

GCSEs in English/Maths

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (desirable)

Job description

STUDENT SUPPORT ASSISTANT (RESIDENTIAL)

PERMANENT FULL TIME & PART TIME OPPORTUNITIES

TERM TIME ROLES: £13.50ph

39 working weeks and 6.4 weeks paid holiday

Monday to Friday: Hours worked on set shifts between 7am and 10pm

FULL TIME: 40 hours per week : £24,528 actual gross p.a.

PART TIME: minimum of 3 shifts per week: Combination of early and/or late shifts

Shift Patterns

• Pattern 1: Monday (12:30-22:00), Tuesday (12:30-10:00), Wednesday (07:00-14:30), Thursday (07:00-14:30), Friday (07:00-15:30)
• Pattern 2: Monday (08:00-15:30), Tuesday (07:00-14:30), Wednesday (12:30-22:00), Thursday (12:30-22:00), Friday (07:00-15:30)

Please indicate when applying, your preferred working hours (Full time or Part time).

About this role

Valence School is looking for Residential Education Support Staff to help students thrive in both the class and residential settings. You will support students’ personal, social, emotional and educational development while helping them gain independence and life skills.

What you will do

• Support students across both education and residential settings, promoting intellectual, physical, social and emotional development, including personal care and mealtime assistance.
• Implement care support plans, promote independence and maintain effective communication with staff and multi-disciplinary departments to ensure consistency of care.
• Safely support students who require medical interventions, following all emergency procedures and risk assessments in classroom and residential environments.
• Attend required training and undertake medication preparation and administration, including supporting gastrostomy feeds where needed.
• Enable participation in activities aligned with the ‘Preparing for Adulthood’ framework.
• Study towards Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, if applicable.
• Record and report information accurately and promptly, demonstrating a flexible, proactive, "can-do" approach to support students’ learning, wellbeing and daily routines.
• Perform substantial moving, handling and personal care duties.

Who we are looking for

• Physically capable of safely supporting students with disabilities and complex medical needs.
• Patient, positive and adaptable with resilience and flexible attitude.
• Committed to professional development, including completing Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, if applicable.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with strong safeguarding awareness.
• Desirable: Experience in school or residential settings, GCSEs in English/Maths, Level 3 Diploma and knowledge of SEND.

What we offer

• A role with real purpose and daily impact.
• Fully funded qualifications and training.
• Generous pension scheme & life cover.
• Staff wellbeing sessions and support.
• Retail discounts and subsidised meals.
• Free on-site parking.
• On-site overnight staff accommodation available for those working a 10pm late shift followed by a 7am early shift.

Why work with us

Be part of a supportive and passionate team, helping students become more independent while developing your own skills and career. Apply today and make a real difference every day! C.V.'s alone will not be accepted. Applications must be made on the school's recruitment portal.

Application Process

For details please visit www.valenceschool.com/work-for-us or visit our recruitment portal on My New Term (https://mynewterm.com/school/Valence-School/119032). The application form for this role must be completed on My New Term; we cannot accept CVs. It is important the online application form is completed in full, including employment history from leaving full-time education and any gaps must be accounted for; otherwise, the application will not be progressed. Please also submit a suitable statement describing how you meet the criteria of the person specification and outline your reasons for application.

Only applicants who have the right to work in the U.K. will be considered; we do not offer visa sponsorship.

We recruit on a rolling basis; apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close this vacancy, interview and appoint earlier if we receive sufficient applications for this role.

Valence School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every student and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Valence School is committed to valuing diversity and promoting equality for all.

References will be taken before interview and online checks undertaken for shortlisted candidates. The successful applicant will require an enhanced DBS check (post exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act).