SEND Learning Support Assistant
Permanent, part-time, start date ASAP
This is an incredible opportunity to be able to support children who have the most amazing brains that mean mainstream education isn't right for them. We are looking for Learning Support Assistants to support our KS2 small group sessions. The groups are very small at the moment but will contain a maximum of 8 to 12 children in years 4 to 7 (age 8 to 12). We work with neurodivergent children who tend to be highly verbal, academically able but with high anxiety levels and often demand avoidant profiles.
School term time only (39 weeks a year)
Mondays 11:45-16:00 (at our Hub either in High Wycombe or Beaconsfield)
Tuesdays 09:15-13:00 (at an outdoor education centre between Beaconsfield and Amersham)
Wednesdays 09:00-13:15 (at our Hub either in High Wycombe or Beaconsfield)
Thursdays 09:00-13:15 (at our Hub either in High Wycombe or Beaconsfield)
Fridays 09:45-12:15 (at a Forest School session between Beaconsfield and Amersham)
Other weekly hours (with some flexibility on time and place)
10 hours admin and prep
0.5 hours training
0.5 hours meeting with Lead Teacher
1.5 hours planning meeting
Other annual hours
1 hour per month full staff meeting
8 hours per year inset
12 hours per year report writing and parents' evenings
Total of hours a year.
Holidays must be taken during school holiday periods.
This is a salaried role, 31.5 hours a week, salary of £25,193 (£20,356.27 pro rata). Additional hours may be required (for example, to attend children's Annual Reviews) and these would be paid at an hourly rate of £20.
Kickstart Learning is a specialist teaching, mentoring and advice service working with neurodivergent children, their families and schools. We are a neurodiversity affirming organisation meaning that we see neurodiversity as natural differences in how people's brains process the world and we believe that neurodivergent brains need embracing and validating rather than fixing. We are passionate about enabling the children we support to make sense of the world they live in and build their self-advocacy skills to help them feel happy, understood and accepted for who they are.
We have a fully qualified and experienced Lead Teacher running the group sessions who will be your line manager and you will work closely with her to ensure the sessions run smoothly.
We're looking for someone who is
* Passionate about SEND and neurodiversity (ideally with knowledge and/or experience of PDA)
* Highly intuitive and sensitive to the needs of everyone around them
* Able to build genuine, safe and trusting relationships with neurodivergent children
* Enthusiastic and willing to take part in a range of activities from Lego to cooking and from Minecraft to boxing
* Able to adapt and be flexible in meeting the broad range of needs of our students
* Proactive and able to use their initiative
* A creative thinker and able to think 'outside the box'
* Good level of health and fitness and able to participate in weekly forest school and outdoor education sessions as well as assisting on trips that may involve the use of public transport
* Able to work effectively as part of a team
Responsibilities
* Working with our Lead Teacher to plan and prepare for the group sessions
* Act as key worker for two children, recording their progress on our online system and communicating daily with parents
* Support students to develop their confidence and self-esteem and work towards their identified and agreed targets
* Attend team meetings
* Complete daily session logs and record attendance
* Take an interest in your own professional development through undertaking relevant training and sharing best practice with other staff
* Be aware of and comply with all policies and procedures
* Assist with first aid when necessary. First aid training will be provided
* Maintain a supportive and positive relationship with all students, parents, colleagues and professionals
* Keep the Hub safe, tidy and clean
Benefits of working for us
* You will be working for a highly respected and popular business that is going from strength to strength
* Neurodiversity affirming organisation who welcome neurodivergent applicants and actively employ accommodations to support staff in their roles
* Regular professional development training provided
* Comfortable and professional environment for you to work
* A relaxed, friendly and flexible working atmosphere
* A patient, understanding and passionate team
* Access to various resources and equipment
* Uniform will be provided (t-shirts and jacket with company logo)
* Much more flexibility than working in a school enabling us to meet each individual child's needs
* Make a difference to the children who need it the most without the workload and additional pressures of working in a school
Job descriptions only reflect 80% of a role and are not an exhaustive list of duties. You are expected to carry out other activities that are within the scope of your role.
For further information about the role, please contact Mrs Kerry Lound at There is no closing date so interviews will be offered at any point until the position is filled. Those successful at interview will be invited to one of our group sessions for an informal observation.
Kickstart Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. References and an enhanced DBS check will be sought from the successful candidate.
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £20,356.27 per year
Expected hours: 31.5 per week
Benefits:
* Casual dress
* Free parking
Application question(s):
* Why do you think you are the right person for this role?
* What aspects of this role interest you the most and make you want to apply?
* Do you have a current DBS check? If not, are you willing for us to apply for a DBS check for you?
* The job is based in either Beaconsfield or High Wycombe. Will you reliably be able to commute to this location?
* Do you drive and have your own car that you would be willing to transport children in if needed?
* If you are offered the job, when is the soonest you would be able to start?
* What are the best days and times for you to attend an interview?
* What knowledge and/or experience of working with neurodivergent children (both in a personal or professional capacity) do you have? Do you have any experience of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)?
Work authorisation:
* United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person