Specialist Support Assistant (Education), Chelmsford

Fixed Term, Full Time

£25,081 to £28,984 per annum

Location: Essex

Working Style: Community-based worker

Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity for up to 12 months.

This position has been classed as an anywhere worker role but has an expectation that the successful candidate will attend the office, 2-3 days per month, with the remaining time school-based and occasional remote working if desired, in line with the organisation's needs.

The Opportunity

Essex County Council has embarked upon a programme of change for provision and services with the ambition to profoundly improve the outcomes and life experience of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Our vision is for a system which identifies and assesses need at an earlier stage and which provides appropriate and impactful support without such high dependence on Essex County Council's statutory services. We have a responsibility to deliver effective services and support in the most cost effective and impactful way. In 2023 ECC published the Essex Education Inclusion Strategy setting out our position, vision and commitments for inclusive and equitable education across the county. To support this, the Education Inclusion Strategy Programme has been established to lead on delivering the Strategy over the next two years. We are looking for four individuals to help drive the inclusion strategy in Essex. You will have a commitment to inclusion and ensuring that every child has their needs met. You will work in a variety of settings - moving across schools and working with children and staff to offer advice and suggestions to help support children in school. You will play a crucial role in shaping the educational landscape of our community. We welcome experienced Teaching Assistants/Learning Support Assistants (SEN) and even Graduates wanting to kick start their career in Education! Specialising in all ages and needs, you will support in a range of schools. This is a great opportunity for someone who is wanting to go on to teacher training. Working as a Specialist Support Assistant will give you the exposure, knowledge and understanding of how the Education system works. Kick-start your career today!

Accountabilities

• Guided and supported by a School Teacher/ the team’s Line Manager: Support and work directly with a temporary caseload of children, as directed and overseen by a teacher.
• Collaborate with education setting staff to develop the knowledge and skills required to meet the holistic needs of CYP.
• Work with education staff and other key professionals to plan, resource and implement individual programmes to support the successful development of children.
• Model specific support strategies related to a child's individual needs, communicating effectively within an educational setting, including in situations that are perceived as challenging.
• Participate in delivering training for education staff (this may include manual handling/hoist training and various workshops).
• Promote and develop the independence of children in collaboration with the School Teacher and the educational setting staff.
• Deliver targeted interventions that improve outcomes for CYP and support at all points of change, including transition into and inclusion within all educational settings.
• Contribute to children’s multi-agency planning and reviews, and, where appropriate, One Planning, Education, Health & Care Plan Needs Assessments and Outcome meetings.
• Under the guidance of the School Teacher, create specialist resources and disseminate these to other team members.
• Regular communication with school teacher/s; reviewing progress made and planning next steps.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to RQF Level 3 (A Level) or higher, or equivalent by experience.
• An interest and passion for supporting CYP and has an enthusiastic, empathetic, and motivating attitude.
• Evidence of/a willingness to engage in continuing professional development to develop specialist knowledge within relevant professional area.
• An interest in/a willingness to engage with assistive technology to support learning.
• The ability to coach education staff in the use of certain software and hardware (after receiving any necessary training).
• Experience of working successfully with children in an educational or home setting.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with experience in or a willingness to deliver training to individuals or small groups.
• Ability to plan and implement individual learning programmes, with the guidance of the specialist teacher.
• Experience of working effectively in partnership with a range of different people in a multi-agency environment.
• Ability to work independently, and as part of a team, using own initiative; problem-solving, and working flexibly to meet service needs.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government's devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs. At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

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