At a Glance
- Tasks: Inspire and support students to achieve their potential in a positive learning environment.
- Company: Lifeworks, empowering individuals with learning disabilities since 1996.
- Benefits: Earn £13.50 per hour, enjoy 33 days holiday, and access mental health resources.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to kindness, respect, and positivity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while building your career.
- Qualifications: Experience with learning difficulties and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 13.5 - 13.5 £ per hour.
Location: Dartington, Totnes
Salary: £13.50 per hour (actual salary is £20,414.93 per annum including holiday pay)
Working Hours: 34.75 hours per week, Monday-Friday (over 38 weeks per year)
Due to new students joining us this September 2026, we are now in the exciting position to grow our Learning Support Assistant team! In this role, you'll motivate and inspire our students to achieve their full potential by supporting a positive learning environment and championing independence. Part of this role may also include regular work within our Day Services, where adults can take part in activities such as art, cooking, gardening, or sports activities, whilst making friends and getting involved in community life.
Who we are: Since 1996, we've been empowering people with learning disabilities in Devon to achieve their dreams and build fulfilling lives. Our core values of kindness, respect, and positivity guide everything we do.
- College: providing education and life skills to 16-24-year-olds in a safe and encouraging environment to support them to achieve positive outcomes.
- Sesame House: 24/7 care for 4 adults with learning disabilities, enabling them to live their best lives.
- Day Services: Consistent care and support throughout the year, school holidays and weekends, with a focus on engaging activities chosen by the participants.
What you'll do:
- Work alongside our tutors and be a source of support for students to ensure they are motivated, happy and engaged in their learning and development.
- Inspire and encourage students through their transition from school to college and enable them to learn and practice independence.
- Support in a range of tasks to facilitate a positive, supportive learning environment and ensure that all students realise their full potential.
- Assist with a range of activities for our Day Services attendees, ensuring that their choices are taken into account and that outcomes are both enjoyable and safe.
Working hours: Your hours will take place over 38 weeks of the year (during term times), and you will work 34.75 hours per week. This will be in a 4-week pattern:
- On Weeks 1-3, you will work Monday to Friday, 08:45-15:40.
- On Week 4, you will work Monday to Friday, 08:45-15:40, however, on a Thursday, you will work 08:45-16:20 to attend a college meeting.
What we're looking for:
- Experience of working with people with learning difficulties, as well as knowledge and experience of the education sector.
- Great IT skills and sound knowledge of Microsoft Office systems.
- Committed to building and fostering positive relationships in the workplace.
- Great communication and organisation skills.
- A team player, but equally able to work independently.
- Practical, enthusiastic and a positive attitude.
- A passion for supporting young people and adults.
Above all, we are seeking a friendly, proactive person to join our dynamic College team, fostering a collaborative culture focused on student progress.
Make a difference and build your career at Lifeworks! We're passionate about supporting our staff just as much as we are about supporting our service users. When you join our team, you can expect:
- A Real Living Wage of £13.50 per hour.
- A starting entitlement of 33 days paid holiday (pro rata for part-time), which, due to the nature of the role, will be paid to you on top of your hourly rate.
- A fully funded DBS check and update service to ensure a smooth onboarding process.
- Access to valuable resources, including an employee assistance program to support your mental and emotional health.
Building a diverse and safe team: At Lifeworks, we're committed to fostering a workplace that reflects the diversity of our community. As a Disability Confident Employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals with disabilities who meet the job criteria, and we guarantee qualified candidates with disabilities an interview.
Lifeworks is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our service users. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, and the successful candidate will undergo Safer Recruitment checks, which include pre-employment checks, reference checks, and an enhanced DBS with barred list check. We may also conduct online searches on the successful applicant. This will be part of a safeguarding check to assess whether the candidate is suitable to work with vulnerable people.
Early applications encouraged! We will be actively shortlisting throughout the duration of this advert, however, this vacancy may close earlier if suitable candidates are identified. To ensure your application is considered, please don't hesitate to apply. Apply today and tell us why you'd be a great fit for our team!
Learning Support Assistant in Totnes employer: All The Top Bananas
My Four Wheels is an exceptional employer, offering a rewarding career as a Trainee Driving Instructor with flexible working hours and the potential to earn up to £50,000+ annually. With comprehensive training provided through our new Training Academy, employees benefit from ongoing support and resources, ensuring a fulfilling journey towards becoming a qualified instructor while enjoying the satisfaction of teaching locally in Westfield, Surrey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Learning Support Assistant in Totnes
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at All The Top Bananas.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from All The Top Bananas!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like All The Top Bananas, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at All The Top Bananas or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Learning Support Assistant in Totnes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to All The Top Bananas:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to All The Top Bananas! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at All The Top Bananas
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
