Specialist Learning Support Assistant - Medical Needs in Ipswich

At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. As a Specialist Learning Support Assistant (Medical Needs) in our Inclusion Services, you’ll see first-hand the impact of your work on children and young people with complex medical needs across Suffolk. By providing specialist support, you’ll help pupils access education, build confidence, and thrive in a safe and supportive environment by providing the medical interventions they require.

Your role and responsibilities

• Support children and young people aged 2½ to 19 with complex medical needs to access education.
• Deliver medical interventions in line with individual healthcare plans, such as administering medication, gastrostomy or naso-gastric feeding, oxygen therapy, and tracheostomy care (full training provided).
• Assist with moving and handling, personal care, and meeting pupils’ daily hygiene, nutritional and developmental needs.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to quality assurance processes.
• Build positive working relationships with families, schools, care coordinators, and other professionals.
• Identify and elevate safeguarding or risk concerns appropriately.

You will need

• A suitable Level 3 qualification or at least 2 years’ equivalent experience in healthcare.
• An awareness and understanding of medical conditions such as epilepsy.
• Experience of working directly with children or young people and their families.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to keep clear and accurate records.
• The confidence to work independently, while knowing when to seek guidance.
• A willingness to undertake specialist and mandatory training.
• A genuine commitment to making a positive difference for children and families.

The team Our Specialist Learning Support Service supports children and young people with complex medical needs to access education across Suffolk. You’ll be part of a supportive and knowledgeable team, managed and trained by qualified children’s nurses (Care Coordinators). We’re proud of the care, expertise, and teamwork that underpin everything we do. Training is provided to help you develop specialist medical skills, and you’ll be supported to grow in confidence and capability within the role.

Community-based and flexible working are part of how we operate, supporting a healthy work–life balance wherever possible.

Empowering Everyone We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information Please contact Olivia Rudland (She/Her), Clinical Manager for the Specialist Learning Support Service, for a casual conversation. You can contact her by either calling 01473 260967 or emailing olivia.rudland@suffolk.gov.uk.

If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team by either emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 2 September 2026.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.