Special Support Assistant

Are you passionate about inclusive education and making a lasting difference in the lives of children with complex needs? The Local Governing Committee is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Special Support Assistant to join our nurturing Catholic primary school community. This is a unique, whole-school role supporting pupils with complex additional needs, including those with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). You will not be based in a single classroom but will work flexibly across year groups, playing a key role in shaping and delivering our Discovery Curriculum through a blended learning approach.

Your role will include:

• Supporting children with a range of complex needs, including communication difficulties, sensory processing needs, ASD, SEMH, and medical conditions.
• Planning and delivering inclusive, creative learning activities as part of the Discovery Curriculum.
• Working 1:1 and in small groups to provide targeted support and interventions.
• Collaborating with teachers, the SENDCo, external professionals, and families to meet individual needs.
• Helping to adapt environments and resources to promote access, independence, and wellbeing.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience supporting children with complex needs in an educational setting.
• Understands inclusive practice and is confident in using sensory, visual, and communication-based strategies.
• Can take initiative and work flexibly across a school day.
• Is nurturing, resilient, and committed to the Catholic ethos and values of our school.
• Enjoys being part of a close-knit, supportive team who believe every child deserves to thrive.

We offer:

• A warm and inclusive school community rooted in Christian values.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• The chance to truly shape a progressive, child-centred approach to blended learning.
• Supportive leadership and Inclusion teams.

The school has been praised in its Ofsted report for the care and attention it provides for children with additional needs and English as an additional language, so that they can take part in the full range of learning. This post will involve day-to-day class support as well as delivering bespoke additional support for each individual child, including speech and language programmes.

If you would like to be considered for this post, please return your completed CES application and related forms to Mrs G Irvine, Headteacher, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Cobden Road, Worthing. BN11 4BD. Visits to the school are warmly welcomed. Please contact the office to arrange a suitable time. Closing date for applications is 5pm Wednesday 25th June 2025, with interviews expected to be on Friday 4th July 2025.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment including online presence checks. All successful candidates will be subject to DBS checks along with other relevant employment checks. An online presence search will be carried out on all shortlisted candidates.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.