Learning Support Practitioner
Learning Support Practitioner

Learning Support Practitioner

Canterbury Full-Time 17448 - 17448 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support students with additional needs in classrooms and workshops, promoting independence and confidence.
  • Company: Join East Kent Colleges Group, an Ofsted Outstanding rated provider focused on inclusive education.
  • Benefits: Enjoy no weekend work, all school holidays off, and access to numerous employee discounts.
  • Why this job: Make a daily impact on students' lives while enjoying a flexible work-life balance.
  • Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for supporting students with high levels of need are essential.
  • Other info: Full training provided; no need for a CV, just apply online!

The predicted salary is between 17448 - 17448 £ per year.

About The Role

Make a Difference Every Day – Support Students to Succeed! Join our team and help empower young people with additional needs to reach their potential – all while enjoying a work‑life balance that fits around family and personal commitments.

We are seeking a compassionate and committed Learning Support Practitioner to join our team at EKC Canterbury College to provide tailored, one-to‑one and group support to students with high levels of need, studying across a wide range of subjects – from Entry Level to Level 3, including Functional Skills and GCSE English and Maths.

You’ll be supporting learners with a variety of learning difficulties and/or disabilities, helping them thrive in the classroom, during work placements, and with any personal care or welfare needs.

In This Role, You Will

  • Provide inclusive, person‑centred support to students with SEND
  • Assist learners in classroom sessions, workshops and enrichment activities
  • Offer guidance and encouragement to promote independence and confidence
  • Work collaboratively with teaching staff and external professionals
  • Support students in achieving their qualifications and progression goals
  • Assist with personal care where required (full training provided)

What We Offer

  • No weekend work
  • No night shifts
  • All school holidays off
  • A rewarding role where you make a daily impact
  • Ongoing training and development opportunities

If you’re passionate about inclusion and education and want a role that works around your life, we’d love to hear from you.

Hours per week: 35

Weeks per year: 37

Salary (inc holiday pay): £19,281

Benefits

  • Generous and Consistent Holiday Pattern – aligned with our academic calendar
  • Learning and Development Opportunities – If you are interested into developing into teaching, you could benefit from our £7000 investment into teacher training through our in house Teaching Academy, 3-4 annual paid group development days, bespoke training programmes and strong internal progression – 1 in 3 roles are filled internally
  • Flexible Personal Leave – Time off for your child\’s first day at nursery or school, moving homes and for interviews
  • Exclusive Discounts & Perks – Inc. restaurant, grocery, retail and holidays discounts as well as car leasing and tech purchasing schemes, on‑site nursery
  • Wellbeing and Health Support – Generous sick pay, counselling services, discounted gym membership at Canterbury College, free eye tests and glasses vouchers, flexible support for medical appointments and return‑to‑work transitions
  • Competitive Pension Scheme – 18% company contribution
  • Culture and Recognition – Being part of Community Days, an Annual Staff Celebration Day, and an eco‑friendly organisation dedicated to reaching net‑zero by 2030

About You

If you have strong communication skills, understand behaviour management, thrive under pressure, and have a passion for inspiring students to engage in learning, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic about supporting students with high levels of need and is committed to helping them succeed both academically and personally.

Ideally, You Will Have Experience Working With Individuals With

  • Visual and/or hearing impairments
  • Global developmental delay
  • Language and communication difficulties
  • Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC)
  • Social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs
  • Sensory or physical needs

As part of the Inclusive Learning Support team, you will:

  • Provide one‑to‑one and group support in classroom and workshop settings
  • Help students develop confidence, independence, and active engagement in learning
  • Collaborate with lecturers and other support staff to ensure a consistent and inclusive learning experience
  • Support students\’ personal care, mobility, and medical/feeding needs where required
  • Receive full training to support all elements of the role

Experience in any of the above areas would be an advantage, but full training will be provided for the right candidate. If you’re passionate about making a difference and want to support young people in reaching their full potential, we would love to hear from you.

Ready to apply?

No need to spend time updating your CV, just click apply and complete our short application form. You can save your progress as you go, and we’ll review all applications and get back to all candidates after the closing date.

If you are interested in an informal chat about the role, or have any queries, please email us on jobs@ekcgroup.ac.uk.

About Us

Outstanding Ofsted Provider

East Kent Colleges Group is an Ofsted Outstanding rated provider. It is proud to be the first General Further Education college organisation in the country to have received the Outstanding grade against each of the strands under the new Ofsted inspection framework. An inclusive provider, our colleagues place our students and the communities we serve at the heart of everything they do across EKC Group and this is illustrated in our ‘Strong’ skills grading by Ofsted.

Commitment to Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and we ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibilities for upholding these principles.

As a designated establishment, we are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore have an obligation to carry out checks to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults. These checks include conviction/caution self‑declaration, Enhanced DBS check and obtaining sufficient referencing.

It is a criminal offence to apply for a post which involves engaging in regulated activity relevant to children if you are barred from doing so.

If you are successful in being shortlisted to interview, your suitability to work with children and vulnerable adults will be explored as part of the interview process.

Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

East Kent Colleges Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all members of our communities. We are particularly keen to increase the diversity of our staff body and encourage applications from candidates where there is underrepresentation in our workforce.

We are proud to hold the Positive About Disability Award and are a Disability Confident Employer. This confirms our commitment to interviewing all applicants who declare that they have a disability and who meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification. With any successful candidate, we will explore any reasonable adjustments to a role due to a health needs or disability.

Similarly, we have a commitment to Care Leavers (Care Covenant Pledge) and to current or previous Armed Forces personnel (Armed Forces Covenant Pledge) with a commitment to interview applicants who meet the positions essential criteria and who have declared this on their application.

We welcome applications from anyone wishing to work flexibly and those considering a return to work from a career break.

We do not engage with agencies for permanent staff and have an in‑house recruitment team.

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Learning Support Practitioner employer: East Kent College

At East Kent Colleges Group, we pride ourselves on being an outstanding employer that prioritises the well-being and development of our staff. With a strong focus on work-life balance, competitive benefits, and ongoing training opportunities, we create a supportive environment where Learning Support Practitioners can thrive while making a meaningful impact on students' lives. Join us in our commitment to inclusion and education, and enjoy the unique advantages of working in a community-focused institution dedicated to empowering young people with additional needs.
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Contact Detail:

East Kent College Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Learning Support Practitioner

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of students with learning difficulties and disabilities. Understanding the challenges they face will help you demonstrate your commitment to supporting them effectively during the interview.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase any relevant experience you have in educational settings or with individuals who have special educational needs. This could include volunteering, tutoring, or personal experiences that highlight your ability to connect with and support these learners.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss strategies for promoting independence and confidence in students. Think about specific examples where you've successfully encouraged someone to engage more actively in their learning.

✨Tip Number 4

Research East Kent Colleges Group and their commitment to inclusion and diversity. Being able to articulate why you want to work for an organisation that prioritises these values can set you apart from other candidates.

We think you need these skills to ace Learning Support Practitioner

Strong Communication Skills
Behaviour Management
Empathy and Compassion
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Experience with SEN (Special Educational Needs)
Understanding of Learning Difficulties
Collaboration with Teaching Staff
Personal Care Assistance
Encouragement and Motivation Techniques
Adaptability to Individual Student Needs
Knowledge of Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
Understanding of Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) Needs
Experience with Visual and/or Hearing Impairments
Support for Global Developmental Delay
Active Engagement Strategies

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Learning Support Practitioner. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with these needs.

Showcase Relevant Experience: If you have experience working with individuals with special educational needs, make sure to detail this in your application. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to support students with various learning difficulties.

Highlight Soft Skills: Emphasise your communication skills, empathy, and ability to work under pressure. These are crucial for a role that involves supporting students with high levels of need.

Personalise Your Application: Make your application stand out by personalising it. Mention why you are passionate about inclusion and education, and how you can contribute to the positive impact on students' lives.

How to prepare for a job interview at East Kent College

✨Show Your Passion for Inclusion

Make sure to express your enthusiasm for supporting students with additional needs. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to inclusion and how you’ve made a difference in similar roles.

✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills

Prepare to discuss how you effectively communicate with students, especially those with learning difficulties. Provide examples of how you've adapted your communication style to meet individual needs.

✨Highlight Relevant Experience

If you have experience working with specific needs such as ASC or SEMH, be ready to discuss it in detail. Mention any strategies you used to support these students and the outcomes achieved.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the team you'll be working with. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you understand how you can best contribute to the students' success.

Learning Support Practitioner
East Kent College
Location: Canterbury

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