Therapy Assistant

Acorn Care and Education; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organization in Maidstone seeks a Therapies Assistant to support children and young people at Heath Farm College. This role, focused on assisting Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists, requires experience with special educational needs and the ability to create customized interventions. Successful candidates will have GCSEs, ideally hold a degree, and possess skills in communication and teamwork, contributing to a collaborative environment. Competitive benefits include mental health support and flexible working options.

Benefits

Life Assurance Pension scheme with options to increase contributions

Comprehensive mental health support services

Flexible Benefits Platform with various options

Qualifications

• Experience working as a therapy assistant or in a similar role (advantageous).
• Knowledge and understanding of working with children and young people with SEN.
• Ability to carry out both 1:1 and group sessions under supervision.

Responsibilities

• Provide evidence-based assessments and interventions under supervision.
• Contribute to communication and sensory profiles and placement plans.
• Support ongoing service development through profiling and staff training.

Skills

Experience working with young people with special educational needs

Ability to communicate effectively

Excellent organisational skills

Teamwork skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

5 x GCSEs Grade C or above, including English

Undergraduate degree preferred

Evidence of relevant Post 16 education

Job description

Job Title: Therapies Assistant

Location: Heath Farm College – Kent ME16 0ER

Salary: £25,837.50 FTE DOE

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, 08:15am – 16:15pm – Monday to Friday

Contract: Permanent – Term Time only

About The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join our developing, dedicated team of clinicians supporting our children and young people at Heath Farm College. This is a cross‑disciplinary role, with a primary focus on supporting the work of our Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists. The successful candidate will work closely with the therapy team to provide high‑quality support tailored to our pupils' needs.

Working closely with the education team who support our young people and their families, you will be responsible for providing evidence‑based assessments and interventions under the supervision of qualified clinicians and the leadership of the Lead Clinician. Your role will involve creating communication and sensory profiles, contributing to placement plans, delivering a range of interventions, observing, co‑facilitating staff training, attending multi‑agency meetings and supporting ongoing service development. Regular opportunities for continual professional development are available through internal specialist forums and funding for external training.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking a Therapies Assistant with experience working with young people with special educational needs. You should be independently motivated, able to work under the supervision of a qualified clinician, enjoy creatively developing bespoke interventions for complex pupils, and have a dynamic approach to problem solving.

Essential Criteria

• 5 x GCSEs Grade C or above, including English
• Undergraduate degree preferred
• Evidence of relevant Post 16 education
• Willingness to work towards further qualifications as required
• Experience working as a therapy assistant or in a similar role (advantageous)
• Experience within an educational setting (advantageous)
• Skilled in working as part of a team
• Knowledge and understanding of working with children and young people with SEN
• Ability to carry out both 1:1 and group sessions under supervision
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbal, complex, technical and clinically sensitive information to the specific client group, their carers and families, and a wide range of professionals outside the service
• Excellent organisational skills and experience completing administration tasks for a team (advantageous)

Why work for us?

Outcomes First Group offers an array of flexible benefit options in addition to a supportive clinical environment. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils and young people. All successful applicants will be subject to social media checks and a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

• Life Assurance Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• Access to comprehensive mental health support services and physical health checks under the “Your Wellbeing Matters” programme
• Work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay after successful completion of probation (4DWW not contractual)
• Family Growth Support – inclusive benefits covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, and paid fertility treatment support
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista) – choose health, wellbeing, insurance benefits, 100+ discount options, Cycle to Work Schemes, Electric Car Purchase Scheme, Critical Illness Cover, and more

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.