SEND Learning Support Assistant

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Job description

Job Purpose

​​Work under the direction and supervision of managers and teaching staff to provide high quality and appropriately targeted support to learners with learning difficulties and or physical disabilities to facilitate their independence, their access to learning and their integration into the college community.​

Key duties and responsibilities

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1. Under the direct supervision of teaching staff, assist in the delivery of the curriculum by supporting learners individually or in small groups and provide regular feedback to teachers and learners about progress and attainment.
2. Keep records of support provided as directed by the SEND management team.
3. Respond appropriately to requests from learners for support in the learning process to maximise their skills, abilities. potential and independence.
4. Support the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development of learners, including contributing ideas and suggestions to support planning, to meet their development needs.
5. Asist with behaviour management in and out of the classroom with support from the teaching team and SEND management team.
6. Supervise learners on arrival at college, during lunchtimes and breaks (including cutting up food and feeding where required) and ensure they leave the premises safely at the end of the day.
7. Provide personal care support in line with the college policy and guidelines. This may include support with toileting, support at break times and administration of medication.
8. Supervise and support community-based learning and educational visits as required.
9. Assist those with physical mobility problems to navigate the building, move from site to site and participate fully in off site visits safely.
10. Assist learners to use the canteen, LRC and other resource areas.
11. Create visual displays, in accordance with the requirements of the teacher, to facilitate a relevant physical learning ment.
12. Create, adapt, and use a range of resources and strategies to meet learners’ needs including e-resources.
13. Contact home or other external agencies as directed by managers or teaching staff.
14. Support learners in a social context through encouragement, listening and talking.
15. Attend LSA, course, directorate, College wide meetings and CPD sessions.
16. Follow risk assessments and emergency procedures which are in line with college policy.
17. Support College initiatives and aspirations to achieve Net Zero carbon.

Person Specification ​

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Qualifications

Essential

Desirable

Minimum of Level 2 literacy and numeracy (GCSE Grade C/4)

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IT skills sufficient to support learners and to develop learning resources

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Experience, Knowledge and Skills

Essential

Desirable

Significant recent experience of supporting learners with SEND

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Experience of a range of, or particular, learning difficulties and or disabilities

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The experience/ interest or relevant qualification to support in vocational contexts e.g., art, drama, music, retail, cookery, customer service, horticulture

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Experience of managing complex behaviour and the emotional and physical resilience to work with learners who display behaviours that challenge

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Experience of using Makaton sign and/or PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)

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The willingness and skill to undertake direct personal care tasks as required, including using a hoist

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To have a flexible approach in order to support learners according to their EHCP.

An understanding of health and safety requirements of a working ment.

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Demonstrate an understanding of Child and Vulnerable Adult protection (Safeguarding Agenda) and the willingness to increase knowledge.

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Good standard of written/verbal communication skills

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Good interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, students, parents/carers, and external agencies

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Self-starter, well-motivated and enthusiastic with a successful track record in continuous personal development in issues related to SEND

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Other qualities

Essential

Desirable

A satisfactory DBS disclosure at Enhanced level.

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Demonstrable commitment to the College’s vision and values.

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The above list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, and the jobholder may be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the level of the role, as reasonably requested by their line manager.

This job description accurately reflects the duties and responsibilities of the role at the time the job description was written. These duties and responsibilities may change over time without significantly impacting on the character of the role, the overall level of responsibility, or its grade.

Depending on strategic or operational needs, the jobholder may in the future be required to work for another existing or new organisational unit and/or at different sites within Newham College. This may be on a temporary or indefinite basis and may involve a change in line management and / or regularly working at more than one site.