Overview
Role: Specialist Teaching Assistant, Services for Deaf Children and Young People (Suffolk County Council)
Location: Rushmere Hall Primary School, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 3EJ
Salary: £25,185 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Hours: 30 hours per week - Term Time Only
Contract: Permanent
Your role and responsibilities
You will support the communication, learning and achievement, development and inclusion of deaf children and young people, based at the specialist resource provision in Rushmere Hall Primary School in Ipswich and will be line managed by the Teacher of the Deaf (ToD).
In a resource base, children and young people are offered bespoke packages of support, including support to access education in the mainstream. You will support the team in providing a robust and effective service, to ensure improved educational outcomes for deaf children and young people (CYP).
You will work with children or young people in the base or with them in their mainstream class, to make communication and learning accessible.
You will:
* facilitate access to learning in the mainstream classroom through supporting communication and understanding
* deliver interventions or bespoke lessons and activities, under the direction of the teacher of the deaf
* promote deaf awareness, inclusion and understanding
* support flexibly, children with a variety of learning needs who communicate through spoken language, sign language or a combination of the two
You will need
You will need experience of working with children to support and manage learning and ideally some experience of the needs of deaf learners. Although you may not have a sign language qualification, you should be familiar with the basics of British Sign Language (BSL) and be prepared to undertake training to achieve BSL Levels one and two.
To be successful in the role you will need to:
* have good communication skills
* be able to build effective working relationships with children and staff
* be deaf aware
The team
Services for Deaf Children and Young People are a valued part of the specialist education services. We work closely together as part of Suffolk County Council’s Inclusion Service. We have a large team of specialists committed to deaf children and young people in Suffolk and their families, collaborating with schools and education settings across Early Years to Post 16. We are a friendly, energetic and committed team that supports each other and strives to make a difference for deaf children, young people and their families.
Empowering Everyone
We believe in potential and the power of different ideas. We strive to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be their best. We aim to represent the diverse communities we serve and welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.
How To Apply
For an informal discussion about this role, please contact:
Andrea Carron (Head of Services for Deaf Children and Young People) on 07850 217238, andrea.carron@suffolk.gov.uk; Kim Hodge (Head of Service) on 07540668579 or Kim.hodge@suffolk.gov.uk
Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (word).
Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions (no more than 400 words per question). Use the Supporting Statement template.
* Describe any experience you have of working with children or young people who are deaf. What did your support involve?
* What experience do you have of supporting language development? Please give some examples.
* Describe a time when you were given a new responsibility. What were the challenges you faced and how did you manage?
We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. You must present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.
Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for subsequent stages.
Closing date: 11.30pm, 15 September 2025
Interview date: 26 September 2025
Safeguarding This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.
About Us
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference and encourage everyone with drive to join us and build an influential and impactful career.
In return, you’ll enjoy:
* up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
* membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
* travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
* performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
* training and opportunities to expand your knowledge
* a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
* diverse and active staff networks
* flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from day one
For more information about benefits, values and equality commitments please visit the Suffolk County Council careers site.
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