Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with additional needs in their homes and community settings.
- Company: Join Surrey's Access to Education team making a real difference.
- Benefits: Generous salary, pension, paid volunteering days, and wellbeing discounts.
- Why this job: Empower young people and help them thrive in their education.
- Qualifications: HLTA qualification or equivalent experience in supporting learners.
- Other info: Flexible role with opportunities for personal growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 26459 - 33552 £ per year.
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 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.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR): Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.
Our Commitment: 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 in Surrey 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 in Surrey
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the role inside out! Familiarise yourself with the job description and think about how your experience aligns with what they're looking for. This will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn or other platforms. They can give you insider tips on the company culture and what it’s really like to work there.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about your experiences with vulnerable students and how you’ve handled challenging situations. Practising your answers will boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Higher Level Education Assistant in Surrey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience with vulnerable or challenging students, especially those with SEND needs. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant qualifications and experiences!
Answer the Questions Thoughtfully: When you get to the application questions, take your time! We’re looking for detailed responses that reflect your understanding of the role. Use specific examples from your past experiences to illustrate how you’ve managed similar situations.
Showcase Your Flexibility: Since this role involves working in various settings, it’s important to demonstrate your adaptability. Share instances where you’ve successfully adjusted your approach to meet the unique needs of different learners. We love seeing that kind of flexibility!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our values and what we stand for at StudySmarter.
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 you can apply them in this 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 remain calm under pressure and your strategies for building trust with students and families.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you. You might ask about the support available for staff or how the team collaborates to meet the needs of students.
