Bilingual Learning Assistant - Spanish in Portsmouth

An opportunity has arisen in our team for a Bilingual Learning Assistant who speaks Spanish. This is a busy, sometimes challenging role, perfect for someone who wants to make a difference to children's lives and enjoys working as part of a culturally diverse team.

The Service EMAS are a team of Bilingual Learning Assistants, Bilingual Support Officers and Advisers working with the Education team. We work in partnership with schools to meet the needs of bilingual learners and ethnic minority pupils at risk of under‑achievement. We support pupils across both primary and secondary age phases, as well as in nursery settings.

The Role

• You will provide a support service complementary to teaching activities, primarily through first language or bilingual communication, acting as a classroom assistant and supporting the language and learning needs of pupils, particularly in their access to the national curriculum.
• You will support the class/subject teacher or EMAS adviser in providing a stress‑free ‘settling‑in’ period for new entrants, recent arrivals or returnees from extended stays in country of origin.
• You will assist in monitoring progress and assessing performance, communicate important information to teachers about the child's full language repertoire, and assist in the production of bilingual language/curriculum support materials.

The Ideal Candidate

• Fluency in English and first language
• Good numeracy and literacy skills
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills
• Experience of working with children at home and/or in a school setting
• Experience of interpretation and translation (formally or informally)
• The ability to deal with different situations in a sensitive manner, particularly when working with children, families and schools
• The ability to support school staff effectively in the classroom
• An understanding of the need for confidentiality in working with children, school staff and parents
• The ability to promote diversity within the school setting (including religion, culture and language)
• To remain calm and focused when working under pressure
• The willingness to learn and develop additional skills required by the service
• To be mobile enough to work at locations citywide as required by the service

Additional Information

We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position.

Requirements

• You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
• Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.

Equality and Diversity

We are a disability confident employer and the Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. If you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.