At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students with additional needs to thrive academically and personally.
- Company: Join a compassionate team at EKC Sheppey College.
- Benefits: Enjoy no weekends, generous holidays, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible personal leave and exclusive discounts available.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives every day.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for supporting diverse learners.
The predicted salary is between 10850 - 10850 £ 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 Sheppey 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.
Responsibilities
- 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
Hours per Week: 19
Weeks per Year: 37
Salary (inc holiday pay): £10,850
Benefits
- Generous and Consistent Holiday Pattern - aligned with our academic calendar
- Learning and Development Opportunities - If you are interested in 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.
Experience & Skills
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.
Safeguarding Commitment
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 for part of the interview process.
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 need 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 position's essential criteria and have declared this on their application.
Learning Support Practitioner in Sheerness employer: Job Search Place Limited
At EKC Sheppey College, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values work-life balance and personal commitments, making it an ideal place for Learning Support Practitioners. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through ongoing training and development opportunities, including a significant investment in teacher training, while our generous holiday pattern and exclusive employee perks ensure a rewarding experience. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of students with additional needs in a community-focused environment dedicated to inclusivity and well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Learning Support Practitioner in Sheerness
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those who work with students with additional needs. A friendly chat can lead to job opportunities that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to supporting students with SEND. Think about your experiences and how they align with the role of a Learning Support Practitioner.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've made a difference in students' lives. This will help you stand out as someone who truly cares about empowering learners.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Learning Support Practitioner in Sheerness
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Learning Support Practitioner. We want to see your passion for supporting students with additional needs, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Experience:If you've worked with individuals with learning difficulties or disabilities before, share those experiences! We love to see real-life examples of how you've made a difference in someone's learning journey.
Be Genuine and Personable:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for compassionate and committed individuals, so don’t be afraid to express your enthusiasm for helping students succeed!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure you apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Learning Support Practitioner inside out. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of students with SEND and think about how your skills can help them thrive. This will show your passion and commitment to supporting learners.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
During the interview, be ready to share examples of how you've supported individuals with additional needs in the past. Highlight your compassionate approach and how you’ve encouraged independence and confidence in others. This is key for this role!
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask the interviewers about their approach to inclusive learning and support. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the environment aligns with your values and work style.
✨Be Yourself
Authenticity goes a long way! Let your personality shine through during the interview. Share your enthusiasm for making a difference in students' lives and how you can contribute to the team’s success. Remember, they want to see the real you!