Teaching Assistant - Student Support (Residential)

Valence School; Westerham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution in Westerham is looking for a Student Support Assistant to provide support in both educational and residential settings. The role involves assisting students with personal care and promoting their social and emotional development, alongside implementing care plans. Ideal candidates should possess strong communication and teamwork skills and be adaptable and patient. Opportunities for professional development are provided, including fully funded training.

Benefits

Fully funded qualifications and training

Generous pension scheme

Life cover

Staff wellbeing sessions

Retail discounts

Free on-site parking

Qualifications

• Experience in school or residential settings is desirable.
• Able to support students with disabilities and complex medical needs.
• Flexibility in working hours preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support students in educational and residential settings.
• Implement care support plans and ensure effective communication.
• Provide personal care and assistance during mealtimes.
• Administer medication and support medical interventions.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Patience

Adaptability

Resilience

Education

GCSEs in English/Maths

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Job description

Overview

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.

Pattern 1: Monday (12:30-22:00), Tuesday (12:30-22:00), 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 their 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 both classroom and residential environments.
• Attend required training and undertake the preparation and administration of medication, 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.
• The role will include a substantial amount of moving and handling and personal care.

Who we are looking for

• Physically capable of safely supporting students with disabilities and complex medical needs.
• Patient, positive and adaptable with resilience and a flexible attitude.
• Committed to professional development, including completing the 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 is 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 achieve their potential 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. 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 - please copy the address provided to visit our careers page).

The application form for this role will need to be completed on My New Term (we are unable to accept CV's).

It is important for the online application form to be completed in full, including complete employment history from leaving full-time education (age 16 or 18) and any gaps must be accounted for. If this is not fully completed your 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.

Please note, we can only consider applicants who have the right to work in the U.K. We are not able to offer visa sponsorship and we are not a sponsorship organisation. For details, please read information for applicants.

We are recruiting for this post on a rolling basis therefore you are encouraged to 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 our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Valence School is committed to valuing diversity and promoting equality for all.

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