Learning Support Assistant – Specialist SEND Provision

Essential requirement: Must hold both an Adult DBS and a Child DBS, with both registered on the DBS Update Service.

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 08:30–16:40

Education: Educated to university level is desirable.

Job Overview

Join our exceptional High Needs team!

Are you passionate about making a genuine difference in the lives of young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)? Would you like to work in a specialist setting where inclusion, independence and personal development are at the heart of everything we do?

We are seeking skilled, enthusiastic, caring and ambitious Learning Support Assistants to join our highly regarded specialist SEND provision within a vibrant, inclusive and successful sixth form college.

Our college supports young people aged 16–19 through its mainstream provision, alongside a specialist provision for learners aged 16–25 with complex needs. Across the college, we are committed to supporting students with a wide range of additional needs, preparing them for adulthood, employment, independent living and active participation in their communities.

We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming environment where everyone is celebrated, valued and nurtured, and where every student is encouraged to achieve their full potential.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, thrives as part of a multidisciplinary team and believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed.

About the Role

As a Learning Support Assistant, you will provide high-quality, person-centred learning support within our specialist SEND provision and, where appropriate, across the wider college. You will help students access learning, develop essential life skills, build confidence and independence, and work towards their individual goals.

You will support students with a broad range of needs, including:

• Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

• Severe and profound learning difficulties.

• Physical disabilities.

• Sensory impairments.

• Speech, language and communication needs.

• Social, emotional and mental health needs.

• Complex medical needs, including genetic conditions, diabetes and epilepsy.

• Long-term and chronic health conditions and disabilities.

Depending on individual student needs, the role may also involve:

• Supporting personal care and personal hygiene.

• Assisting with eating and drinking.

• Moving and handling support.

• Using hoists and other specialist equipment.

• Supporting medical routines under the guidance of appropriate healthcare professionals.

Full training will be provided where required, including moving and handling, hoist use, feeding support and personal care, ensuring you are equipped to support students safely, confidently and with dignity.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who:

• Is an ambitious, reflective and solution-focused practitioner.

• Has a genuine passion for inclusion and supporting young people with SEND.

• Can support students to develop essential skills, including literacy, numeracy, communication, self-advocacy and independence.

• Is calm, patient, resilient, compassionate and understanding.

• Can build positive, trusting relationships with students, families and colleagues.

• Has excellent spoken and written English, alongside strong literacy and numeracy skills.

• Is adaptable and confident when supporting students with a diverse range of learning, physical, communication and medical needs.

• Can work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.

• Is committed to promoting dignity, inclusion, independence and high aspirations for every learner.

• Is willing to undertake relevant training and develop their professional skills to meet students' changing needs.

Education to university level is desirable. Our Learning Support Assistants are attached to faculties across the wider college, and graduates are encouraged to use their academic strengths to support curriculum learning wherever appropriate.

Whether you are an experienced Learning Support Assistant, a graduate considering a future career in teaching, psychology, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy or educational psychology, or someone looking for a meaningful and rewarding career supporting young people with SEND, we would love to hear from you.

Essential DBS Requirement

Applicants must hold both an Adult DBS and a Child DBS, with both registered on the DBS Update Service. This is an essential requirement for the role.

Working Hours

The working hours for this position are 08:30–16:40, Monday to Friday.

Make a Difference Every Day

This is an opportunity to be part of a dedicated team that helps young people overcome barriers, develop confidence and achieve meaningful outcomes for their futures.

Come and join a college where inclusion is more than a value — it is at the heart of everything we do.

We have a policy to respond to all applications within three working days. However, because of the volume of applications, we are sometimes unable to reply to individual enquiries. If we have not contacted you within this specified time your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Philosophy Education is a Recruitment Business and is advertising this vacancy on behalf of one of its clients.