Learning Support Assistant in Rochdale

We regularly recruit to the Learning Support Assistant role, and keep this as an open vacancy on our website. We review any applications as and when vacancies come up. Please note applications will only be kept as active for up to 6 months.

To meet the needs of learners with identified learning difficulties and/or disabilities including in class and out of class support to remove barriers to accessing learning and participation. To implement agreed learning support with individuals and groups with a view to encourage learner independence using identified support strategies.

Salary information:

• 32 hour contract - £20,269 per annum
• 25 hour contract - £15,833 per annum
• 16 hour contract - £10,133 per annum

Key Responsibilities

• To provide appropriate learning support for groups and/or individuals with identified learning difficulties and/or disabilities, including in and out of class support, residential activities, educational visits or work experience.
• To provide learning support for those learners identified as having additional support needs for literacy and numeracy.
• To contribute to the planning, differentiation and target setting for learners' needs with curriculum staff and the wider Student Support team.
• To record, review and adapt strategies throughout the academic year using student ILP and other college systems.
• To develop and assist the integration of students by supporting the transition process and enrichment activities.
• To support the Student Support Manager to carry out Healthcare Plans, PEEPs, exam concessions and ensure specialist equipment is in place.
• To support learners with personal care and medical needs including administration of medication where indicated in their Healthcare Plan.
• To develop and adapt accessible resources and materials prior to lessons to maximise all learning opportunities.
• To assist learners with the use of specialist equipment and embed the use of assistive technology to promote independence.
• To develop positive working practices with external agencies in order to gather accurate information to inform learning support.
• To engage in continuous professional development.
• Any other duties, of a similar level of responsibility, as may be required.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Qualifications

• Essential Criteria: Level 2 (GCSE A* - C) in English and Maths. A recognised Level 2/3 qualification in Learning Support or equivalent.
• Desirable Criteria: PTLLS, First Aid Certificate.

Experience

• Essential Criteria: Experience of working with young people, individuals with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, providing additional support in a learning environment, and providing additional support for literacy and/or numeracy.
• Desirable Criteria: Experience of learners with personal care needs and/or medical conditions, experience of note taking to support learning.

Specialist Knowledge

• Essential Criteria: Knowledge of the support needs of learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, knowledge of specific learning difficulties such as autism and dyslexia.
• Desirable Criteria: Knowledge of supporting learning with sensory impairment.

IT Skills

• Essential Criteria: Intermediate ability to use Microsoft Office applications and willing to undertake training appropriate to the role. Willing to undertake any software training relevant to the role.
• Desirable Criteria: Experience of student records system, electronic ILPs, Promonitor.

About Hopwood Hall

STAFF BENEFITS

• Career average pension scheme
• Free gym membership at our Middleton Campus Sports Arena
• Purchase loans for computers and bikes
• Staff discount at the Colleges Riverside Salon, Sports Arena and Holiday Clubs
• On-site nursery (Rochdale Campus)
• Credit union for savings, low cost loans and life assurance
• Free on-site parking
• On-site Dog Kennels (spaces not guaranteed)
• An electric and hybrid car salary sacrifice scheme (with charging points on site)
• A cycle to work scheme
• Discounted public transport tickets
• Generous holiday entitlement (Teaching staff: 53 days, Business Support staff: 35 days (From 1st August 2026) plus bank holidays)
• Christmas/New Year closure and the opportunity to buy additional holidays
• Two Health and Wellbeing days per year
• Subsidised bistro and refectory

We are a Further Education College and University Centre offering a range of full and part time courses employing over 600 staff on our campuses in Rochdale and Middleton situated to the north-east of Manchester. We are committed to being a great place to work and have membership status of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter. We are a Living Wage employer and an accredited Disability Confident Employer. Our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion statement is designed to ensure that unfair discrimination does not take place in any part of our recruitment process. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners and colleagues and we expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment. The college complies with Safer Recruitment guidance in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education and all successful applicants are required to undertake a DBS check and other pre-recruitment checks in line with our Safer Recruitment policy. It is an offence to apply for a regulated role at the College if you are barred from working with children (or vulnerable adults if in a role where this applies). This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and exemption orders 1975, 2013 and 2020.