Job description
At Woodside we specialise in educating young people with an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and know that by putting each individual at the centre of their learning journey, we are able to craft a unique and fulfilling experience for each student that will allow them to independently contribute to society, embrace life long learning and achieve without a ceiling.
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We are excited to announce that we have a vacancy for a full time Learning Support Assistant at our unique outdoor setting to students aged 11-19 in our growing Leicestershire setting.
We're looking for a passionate individual with experience of helping to develop a child in line with targets from their academic and pastoral plans.
The successful candidate will be delivering small group sessions at a base specifically crafted for a small group of students. This "homely" feeling enables us to nurture our students and provide them with the best education experience once we've successfully engaged with them emotionally. Therefore, we need practitioners who can build trusting relationships and provide security to our vulnerable learners and who are able to communicate clearly, confidently and demonstrate resilience in the face of high pressure circumstances.
Woodside Group
Job Description - Learning Support Assistant (LSA)
Role Purpose: To facilitate the academic and social progression of Learners in
specified subjects.
Skill Requirements:
Essential personal attributes
● Drive, resilience, confidence, initiative, resourcefulness,
calmness under pressure, common sense and an ability to
manage ambiguity.
● Ability to build rapport & trust quickly with both Learners &
staff.
● Passion, prepared to go above and beyond.
● Role model.
Essential
● An ability to communicate with staff and Learners alike, in
order to best impact on academic, and overall, attainment.
● An appreciation and acknowledgement of the overall
direction of the school and the policies which govern it
● An openness and optimistic outlook towards change.
● Full comprehension of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
information and protocol, as well as all safeguarding issues.
● An understanding of a variety of behaviour management
techniques, with a focus on resolution management followed
by developmental reflection.
● An ability to perform in situations of high pressure, showing not
only theoretical understanding, but also 'real-life' understanding
of both autism and behavioural difficulties.
●A willingness to attend staff meetings, support the vision of SLT
and contribute ideas towards better practice.
● An aptitude to work in partnership with a number of
professionals, as well as parents/carers.
● A willingness to take on challenges 'above and beyond' their
role as LSA, in order to fully contribute to the ethos of the school
and the progression of its Learners.
● A willingness to work outside of the conventional classroom
and embrace outdoor learning, in line with the ethos of the
school.
● An understanding of the need for routine and discipline,
ensuring that consistent messages are communicated to all
Learners and staff.
● GCSE Maths & English
● A commitment towards CPD.
Desirable
● Ambition and willingness to take further responsibility.
● Experience of supporting in a variety of educational
settings.
● A deep and thorough understanding of autism, perhaps
backed up by Autism Level 1and Level 2 Training.
● History of working with children who are disengaged with
education.
● Team Teach trained
● Competent in administering first aid.
Key Responsibilities (including but not limited to)
● Responsibility to support Learners to process new information, built upon a solid
understanding of the student's manifestation of autism.
● Responsibility for advocating outdoor learning, including this into as many
lessons as possible.
● Responsibility for capturing evidence, assisting the teacher in the
administration of attaching evidence to learner specific document.
● Responsibility for providing proactive support in lessons, where needed, taking
instruction from the subject teacher to best progress the academic achievement of
the student within the session.
● Responsibility for reporting on the progress of Learners' both in subjects and
related to their autism.
● Responsibility for establishing and maintaining an environment conducive to the
progress of our Learners bearing in mind their sensory needs.
● Responsibility for ensuring that Learners create the requisite evidence for any
accreditation they're working towards.
● Responsibility for contributing ideas for staff meetings, focused on the overall
learner progression and improvement of the base.
● Responsibility for having a thorough awareness of the targets of each child with
whom you come into contact, by seeking out most recent Personal Progress log
(including EHCP targets and other focus targets such as IEP or APT)
● Responsibility for the transportation of Learners between Woodside Groups
different bases or during trips off site.
● Responsibility for building strong relationships with all Learners, in order to work with
them at all levels of emotional difficulty during sessions, downtime and transitions.
● Responsibility for being the first on the scene when children reach crisis point,
prioritising negotiation skills and talk to de-escalate, before consideration of safe
handling.
● Responsibility to contribute to activities to ensure the base remains a safe and
stimulating work environment.
● Responsibility for championing education, in conjunction with all other
professionals at the school.
● Responsibility for being a champion and advocate for Woodside Group
ensuring positive personal communication to all stakeholders.
● Responsibility for providing lunchtime cover
● Responsibility for the timely completion of relevant documentation where
necessary/as advised by teachers or managers
● Responsibility to support the social and emotional development of Learners,
reporting any issues as and when required.
● Responsibility for advising teaching staff on latest interests/trends of the
student.
● Responsibility for taking ownership of own continued professional development and
performance management process.
Compliance responsibilities
● Have an awareness of the risk assessment for bases in which they work and be up
to date with all relevant policies and procedures.
● A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and
expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Administrative Responsibilities:
● Responsibility for completing written reports to document behavioural
incidents, or safeguarding matters.
● Responsibility for completing daily behaviour points
● Responsibility for logging evidence of learning in lessons as directed by
Managers
Health & Safety Responsibilities
● All employees are responsible for ensuring they take every reasonable action to
keep themselves and everyone in the school environment safe and well.
Hours
* Monday - Friday 08:30am-15:30pm Full time, Term time
* 190 contact days
* 5 inset days
* Actual Salary Scale: £19, ,311.00
Safeguarding:
Please ensure that you visit our website and read our Safer Recruitment policy before applying for the role.
∙ Woodside is committed to Keeping Children Safe In Education. Part of this position requires you to work closely with vulnerable young people, reporting to Designated Safeguarding Leaders pertinent information about the safety, welfare and wellbeing of students. Full training will be provided.
∙ You are not required to disclose convictions or cautions that are 'protected', as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in If you're not sure whether one of your convictions is 'protected', you can check here ).
∙ If you accidentally provide information about 'protected' convictions or cautions, we won't take this into account. It is an offence to apply for the role if you're barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
∙ All appointments are subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
· Proof of address
· Two satisfactory references
· A completed application form (attached)
· Verification of your identity and right to work in the UK
· Confirmation of your teacher registration number (if applicable)
· A satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check.
· Verification of all listed qualifications
· Proof of vehicular business insurance
· Proof of a valid driving licence
· Access to a personal, roadworthy vehicle
· Personal mobile phone, to use for business communication
· Completion of a pre-employment medical questionnaire
Applicants may also be subject to a social media presence check.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay Scale: £19, ,311.00 per year
Experience:
* working in education: 1 year (preferred)
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £19,201.00-£21,311.00 per year
Benefits:
* On-site parking
* Private dental insurance
Work Location: In person