Job Description
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SEND Learning Support Assistant
Learning Support Assistant required for 30 hours per week (8.45am-3.15pm) across 5 days including a lunch time duty of 30 minutes and an unpaid 30 minute lunch break.
Start date: Summer term - April 13th 2026 or ASAP.
Salary: Scale 2 or 3 dependent on experience
Salary range: £24,510 to £27,301. Actual salary: £17,150 to £19,103 (pro rata). Term time only.
Closing date: 23/03/26.
Interview date: ASAP after closing date or earlier for the right candidate
An exciting opportunity has arisen to work in our friendly and supportive school. This role would suit someone who has experience of working with children with ASD/neurodiversity or a university leaver educated to degree level looking to move into teaching in the future, who would like to work with children with complex needs to develop their experience.
To become part of this team it would be advantageous if you have experience of working with children, previous experience of working with SEND children is desirable.
We are seeking an enthusiastic, and compassionate SEND Learning Support Assistant to join our dedicated team, working with children with complex needs. In this role, you will work closely with teachers, the SENDCo, and other professionals to provide targeted support for pupils with EHCPs and SEND, helping them access learning, develop communication and independence skills, and achieve their individual outcomes.
Every day is different and your work will have a direct and visible impact on the progress, confidence, and wellbeing of the pupils you support.
Role
To work under the instruction and guidance of class teachers and the SENDCo to deliver work, care, and support programmes that enable pupils with SEND/EHCPs to:
• Develop communication, social, and emotional skills.
• Achieve their personalised targets.
Key Responsibilities;
• Provide personalised, consistent and high-quality support for pupils with complex SEND, ensuring safety, wellbeing and access to learning.
• Support the implementation of EHCP and individual support plans, including behaviour/regulation plans and risk assessments.
• Promote communication using agreed approaches, e.g. visual timetables, now/next boards, communication boards and folders.
• Support pupils' emotional regulation, readiness to learn, and engagement in routines.
• Assist in the delivery of personalised learning activities, both one-to-one and in small groups.
• Encourage positive social interaction and engagement in lessons.
• Work collaboratively with teachers and external agencies to promote inclusion and independence.
• Contribute to creating a safe, supportive, and nurturing school environment.
• Monitor progress and provide feedback to teaching staff/SENDCo to inform planning, next steps and reviews.
Person Specification / Skills and Attributes;
• Previous experience supporting children or young people with ASD, SEMH or SEND is desirable.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain calm, patient, and supportive in challenging situations.
• Empathy, resilience, and a genuine commitment to supporting children's development.
• Proactive and self-motivated to identify and respond to pupils' needs in collaboration with teachers and SENDCo.
• Passionate about delivering the best education for all learners.
• Team player, able to work effectively with colleagues and external professionals.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
Qualifications and Experience;
• GCSEs or equivalent, including English and Maths (desirable).
• Experience supporting children with SEND, SEMH, or additional learning needs.
• Knowledge of inclusive teaching approaches and behaviour strategies is advantageous.
We strongly advise a visit to the school is made prior to application. Please call Mrs Haslam-Davis Headteacher, on 01375 672138 to arrange a visit or request an informal chat.
Please take care to complete the application in full as any incomplete applications will not be considered. CVs will not be accepted. The closing date will be earlier if a suitable candidate is found so we recommend that you submit your application at your earliest convenience.
Giffards Primary School is committed to the protection and safety of all pupils and adheres to the Safer Recruitment guidelines. The appointment will be subject to the completion of pre-employment checks, including satisfactory references, medical clearance and enhanced DBS criminal record check. This is a public facing role and the successful candidate must speak fluent English.
In line with the recommended practice in the statutory guidance 'KCSIE' the school will conduct searches for information on shortlisted candidates which is publicly available online. The purpose is limited:
- to identify issues which call into question the applicants' suitability to work with children.
- to verify employment history.
If you have the desire and drive to ensure children achieve their best, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Information about the School
Giffards has been a primary school since 2005, with the amalgamation of the previous Infant and Junior schools. We currently have 14 classes with 405 pupils. We are a welcoming, friendly and inclusive primary academy, where we nurture and celebrate the achievements of all of our children. We have a large, experienced team of teachers and LSAs as well as specialist Music and PE staff. This has created a large school. We have invested heavily in ICT; all our classrooms have interactive screens as does our music room. We have an ICT suite with 30 computers plus interactive screen and also every child has access to their own chrome book as well as a set of headphones. All teaching staff have their own laptops which are used for planning and centralisation of information and resources.
Giffards Primary School continues to be a good school. The pupils at Giffards Primary School are walking, talking examples of the school’s values, particularly being caring and respectful. They build warm, supportive relationships with staff - Ofsted March 2022