SEN Learning Support Assistant

Do you want to be part of a dedicated and friendly multi-disciplinary team of Teachers, Therapists and Learning Support Assistants helping children with social and communication difficulties to blossom and thrive? Do you have a passion for learning, excellent inter-personal skills and are confident, enthusiastic, calm, supportive, resilient and adaptable? We welcome you to apply to join our team.

About the Adapted Curriculum: Situated within the school, the Adapted Curriculum is specialist SEN provision for Early Years and Primary children with complex social communication disorders and/or a diagnosis of ASD. Many of the children may present as non-verbal or have limited verbal abilities, and our aim is to provide them with a nurturing environment to develop their social communication and emotional regulation, within an education setting to facilitate their access to learning alongside their peers. Class sizes are a maximum of 6 pupils supported by a Class Teacher, two Learning Support Assistants and Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists. The children in the Adapted Curriculum do not access the National Curriculum, but instead are provided with a functional curriculum where communication is the main focus.

About the school in general: Blossom House is an Ofsted-rated “Outstanding” specialist school for children aged 3-19 years of age with speech, language and communication difficulties. Although many of the children have some associated difficulties such as fine motor problems or poor organisational skills, they are all within the average range of cognitive abilities.

What the role involves: The role involves supporting children and assisting the class teacher and therapists with general pupil self-care, maintaining the learning environments and assisting with administration. You may be required to provide ad-hoc or dedicated 1:1 support to specific children and also to provide whole-class support in lessons under the direction of the Teacher or Therapist. You will be supported to implement specific strategies to support the students’ communication and sensory needs and in the management of challenging behaviours that frequently present within this cohort.

We offer:

• A supportive working environment in a newly refurbished building.
• Small class sizes and the opportunity to work 1-1 with children where possible.
• Support from an enthusiastic and dedicated team of Therapy staff and Teachers who will work alongside you in the classroom.
• Continued professional development and training.
• An opportunity to pursue a career in Teaching or Therapy where applicable.
• Great staff non-contractual benefits such as free lunch on Fridays, termly wellbeing claims, annual bonuses and pay rises and a friendly nurturing environment.
• Close to a good transport network and on-site free parking is available.
• UK Healthcare cash plan designed to help cover your “day to day” healthcare expenditure such as Optical and Dental bills and offers cash back (up to policy limits) for a variety of different medical treatments.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Supporting our students can sometimes be challenging; mental and physical resilience are qualities necessary for all our staff.
• Confidence, enthusiasm and a passion for learning.
• An ability and confidence to function independently as and when required.
• Excellent English skills (clear written and spoken English) along with good reading, writing and numeracy skills.
• The ability to build good working relationships with children, teachers, parents and carers.
• Experience of working with children with Special Education Needs (SEN), particularly children on the Autism Spectrum which includes the age group 3-11.
• Experience of providing personal self-care support to pupils will be an advantage.
• The ability to manage a small group of children with complex social communication needs with patience and empathy.
• The ability to promote positive behaviour in a nurturing environment is essential.
• Qualifications preferred include GCSE, CACHE Diploma Level 3 in Child Development or equivalent qualification.
• An interest in learning more about Speech and Language Therapy and/or Occupational Therapy would be an advantage.

Contract terms: Permanent, Term-Time only

Working Hours and pattern: Monday to Friday, 08:30 – 17:00, approx. 36 teaching weeks per annum. No working required during school holidays.

Salary: £23,150 - £24,500 per annum depending on experience (full time equivalent salary £27,008 to £28,583)

To Start: ASAP

If you wish to apply for the post, please download the application form and job description and email the completed application form detailing how you meet the requirements of the person specification along with the recruitment activity (on the last page of the advert) to the recruitment team. This role is subject to the relevant Safeguarding checks, which will include an Enhanced DBS check.

Safeguarding Statement: Blossom House School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children; successful applicants must be suitable to work with children and will need to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Certificate with barred list information.