Learning Support Assistant – Job Vacancy

1-year Fixed term contract (with the possibility to extend) Monday to Friday 8.15 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. 29.6 hours a week Job Ref: XS10.4s Grade 6 SCP 6-9 – £13.47 to £14.13 per hour Term time only plus 5 Staff Training Days.

Do you have an interest in supporting young people with complex communication needs to achieve their full potential? If so, then read on to find out more…… An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, conscientious Learning Support Assistant to join our school community working within our Specialist Resourced Provision supporting students with Complex Communication Needs. Starting September 2026, we are looking to appoint a team member who is hardworking, enthusiastic, compassionate and can relate well to young people. Ideally you would have experience in inclusion and working with students with additional needs.

This is a varied role, supporting specific students within the Inclusion Hub and within mainstream classes. Applicants should:

• Relate well to young people
• Be dedicated to ensure the students’ needs are met
• Be understanding of students’ additional educational needs
• Have high expectations; demonstrating a commitment to excellence to supporting young people to achieve their potential
• Able to work as part of a small team
• Demonstrate qualities of discretion, empathy, good personal organisational skills and time-keeping
• Excellent communication skills, patience and a positive approach
• A reflective practitioner, willing to collaborate with others and seek and accept advice
• Ability to be flexible with their approach, as no two days are the same
• Able to remain calm in the event of sudden changes; modelling and promoting emotional regulation and the ability to co-regulate to support our students
• Willing to engage in ongoing professional development
• Be advised this can be a physically demanding role
• Have GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English A*-C/9-4 (essential requirement)

What Ferndown Can Offer You:

• CPD opportunities and training and development programmes.
• Personalised induction, supported by a mentor.
• Eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Access to health and wellbeing support.
• Private Healthcare Cashback Plan including 24/7 access to a GP by phone, gym discounts, cashback for optical, dental and other appointment expenses for employees and their children.
• Access to staff benefits and discounts portal through Dorset Council.

To find out more about this role or to arrange a visit, please email: … Closing date for applications: midnight, Sunday 28th June 2026.

Experience of working with children in an educational setting is essential. Qualities required: discretion, loyalty, commitment, patience, flexibility, good personal organisation, firmness, to be numerate and literate, a team worker and to have good oral communication. Background knowledge of the Foundation and National Curriculum and School’s procedures and policies. Knowledge of pupils’ individual targets and, where appropriate may require more specialised knowledge in specific curriculum areas. Significant empathy with pupils who have additional or special educational needs. Prepare to undertake special skills training e.g. signing, to meet additional educational and communication needs. Willingness to attend courses as required to enhance the knowledge, understanding and skills to improve the level and quality of support given to pupils and teachers.

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check (formerly CRB) in line with the Governments safer recruitment guidelines. Ferndown Upper School values the diversity of our workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community. This role is UK based and your Right to Work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.