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- Tasks: Support children with additional needs in their homes and community settings.
- Company: Join Surrey's Access to Education service, making a real difference.
- Benefits: Generous salary, pension, paid volunteering days, and wellbeing discounts.
- Why this job: Empower young people and help them access their education.
- Qualifications: HLTA qualification or equivalent experience in supporting learners.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for personal growth.
The starting salary for this term-time position is £26,459 per annum based on a 33 hour working week, across 39 weeks per year, pro-rata to £33,552.
Surrey's Access to Education (A2E) service is expanding our Student Support Team and we are now seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to join us on a term-time basis as Higher Level Education Assistants. We're open to part-time working, but all staff must be available for work between 09:00 - 16:00 on any agreed working day. All staff work on Wednesdays. We currently have opportunities available in East and West Surrey.
Our office bases are as follows:
- Woodhatch Place, Cockshot Hill, Woodhatch, Reigate, RH2 8EF
- Victoria Gate, Chobham Road, Woking, Surrey GU21 6JD
- Dakota, 11 De Havilland Drive, Weybridge, KT13 0YP
Our Offer to You:
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
- Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
- A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents
About the Role:
Join our team and make a real difference in the lives of Surrey's children and young people with additional needs! Access to Education (A2E) is a dynamic and responsive interim service providing essential educational support to children and young people who are currently unable to access their full statutory entitlement. Our students often have complex special educational needs, mental health challenges, or may display behaviours that can be difficult to manage. Many are referred to A2E throughout the year, meaning you will work with a continually changing and diverse cohort of learners.
As a Higher Level Education Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting high-quality teaching and learning to students across East and West Surrey. The majority of your time will be spent supporting pupils in their homes or other agreed community settings. Some young people may also have medical needs that prevent them from attending school, requiring a flexible and personalised approach to learning. This is a peripatetic role, involving regular travel across the county and a significant amount of lone working. We are seeking resilient, compassionate professionals who can build trust, remain calm under pressure, and adapt to each young person's unique needs.
Your Application:
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- HLTA qualification or significant equivalent experience, with good understanding of factors affecting children and young people's learning
- Experience supporting learners, including those with complex SEND, on a one-to-one and small-group basis
- Ability to plan and deliver learning activities, motivate learners and support progress
- Ability to support learners to access the curriculum in line with the SEN Code of Practice and contribute to personalised provision
- Ability to monitor progress, adapt approach and produce clear reports, prioritising support for the most vulnerable learners
- Ability to work independently across a range of settings (including the home environment) and build positive, trusting relationships, communicating effectively with learners, families and professionals
To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 5 questions:
- Please describe your experience of working with vulnerable or challenging students, including those with SEND needs.
- How do you plan and deliver learning activities tailored to individual learners?
- Please give an example of how you have managed a situation involving safeguarding concerns.
- How do you prioritise your workload when supporting multiple pupils with different needs?
- What strategies do you use to build positive relationships with pupils and families?
As part of the role you will need to travel throughout the area, so you will need both the willingness and ability to travel extensively around the county. The job advert closes at 23:59 on 18th February 2026 with interviews planned to follow. We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.
An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
Higher Level Education Assistant employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Higher Level Education Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the education sector, especially those who work with children and young people. Attend local events or workshops to meet potential colleagues and learn more about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising your responses to common questions. Think about your experiences with vulnerable students and how you’ve adapted your teaching methods. We want to see your passion and adaptability!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Bring examples of your work or strategies you've used to support learners with complex needs. This will help us see how you can make a real difference in our students' lives.
✨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 proactive and enthusiastic about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Higher Level Education Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Higher Level Education Assistant role. Highlight your HLTA qualification or relevant experience, and showcase how you've supported learners with complex needs. We want to see how you can make a difference!
Answer the Questions Thoughtfully: When answering the application questions, be specific and provide examples from your experience. This is your chance to show us how you’ve handled challenging situations and built relationships with students and families. Don’t hold back!
Show Your Passion: Let your passion for supporting children and young people shine through in your application. We’re looking for dedicated individuals who genuinely care about making a positive impact. Share your motivation and why this role excites you!
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Higher Level Education Assistant inside out. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children and young people with SEND, and be ready to discuss your relevant experience in supporting them. This will show that you're not just interested in the job, but that you genuinely care about making a difference.
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
When answering questions, use specific examples from your past experiences. Think about times you've successfully supported vulnerable students or managed challenging situations. This will help you demonstrate your skills and how they align with the requirements of the role.
✨Show Your Flexibility
Since this role involves working in various settings, be prepared to discuss how you adapt your teaching methods to suit different environments and individual needs. Highlight your ability to work independently and your willingness to travel across the county.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on your interpersonal skills. Talk about how you build positive relationships with students and their families. This is crucial for the role, so showcasing your ability to connect with others will set you apart from other candidates.
