At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with Special Educational Needs in a rewarding and dynamic environment.
- Company: Springwell School, an Outstanding rated special school in Southampton.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, CPD opportunities, free parking, and mental health support.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to fostering positive learning experiences.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young lives while growing your skills in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in Maths and English, experience with complex needs preferred.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.
Do you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of young people with Special Educational Needs? Supporting children with additional needs is incredibly rewarding—no two days are the same, and the relationships you build can have a lifelong impact. The work can be demanding and requires resilience, but the sense of purpose and the progress you help children achieve far outweigh the challenges.
Springwell School, rated Outstanding in each of our last four Ofsted inspections, sits on the edge of Southampton and is a large, designated day special school for children aged 4–11. Our pupils have a range of complex learning needs, including autism, speech and language difficulties and behaviours that may challenge. We foster a warm, positive and collaborative learning environment where pupils and staff support one another to thrive both academically and personally. Our commitment is to provide the highest-quality education for our children while offering robust support to their families and the adults who work with them.
We are seeking to appoint a Grade 7 Special School Assistant to join our dedicated team. This role involves supporting teaching and learning across the school and providing tailored support for pupils with a range of academic, physical, emotional and behavioural needs—whether working in a class, small groups or one-to-one. If you're motivated, compassionate and ready to be a consistent and encouraging presence in a young person's life, we'd love to hear from you.
What we offer:
- Competitive salary with regular salary progression
- Opportunities for CPD
- Free on-site parking
- Pension Scheme
- Support and training
- Monday – Friday working pattern
- Excellent development opportunities to grow within a positive and supportive team
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
Your contribution:
- Directed by the teacher, to work individually or with groups of children, to support subjects and learning across the curriculum
- To contribute, monitor and record pupils progress
- Assist the class teacher with planning, development and delivery of suitable programmes of work for pupils
- Help to design, create and produce learning activities, materials and resources to support aspects of the curriculum
- Be able to deal with challenging behaviour and provide welfare support in accordance with school policies
- Take a leading role in planning, delivery and assessment of a weekly activity, agreed by the teacher to include research, collation of resources and implementation
- Act as a team leader for offsite visits and activities, and as directed by the teacher
What will you need?
- GCSE Grade C or above in Maths and English (4 – 9 or equivalent)
- Previous experience of working with children with complex needs (within a school setting is desirable)
- Proven teaching strategies such as PECS
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to liaise with staff at all levels
- Have enthusiasm, reliability and resilience
- Strong sense of team work
- Understand the importance of confidentiality and safeguarding
Working pattern: 30 Hours
Monday and Friday: 8.45 am – 3:15 pm
Tuesday – Thursday: 8:55 am – 3:15 pm
Safeguarding: Springwell School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Offers of employment will be subject to the full Safer Recruitment process.
Grade 7 Special School Assistant in Southampton employer: Southampton City Council
Springwell School is an outstanding employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children with Special Educational Needs. With a supportive and collaborative work culture, we offer competitive salaries, opportunities for professional development, and a strong commitment to employee wellbeing. Join our passionate team in Southampton, where you can grow both personally and professionally while making a difference every day.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Grade 7 Special School Assistant in Southampton
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Southampton City Council.
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We think you need these skills to ace Grade 7 Special School Assistant in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Southampton City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Southampton City Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southampton City Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
