Job description
Are you passionate about making education accessible for all? We’re seeking a Specialist SEND Support Practitioner to join a dedicated team at The Manchester College. You’ll provide targeted support to learners with a range of additional needs, helping them to succeed both academically and personally. Working closely with teaching staff and external professionals, you’ll create inclusive strategies that remove barriers to learning. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference in a supportive, student-centred environment. Experience working with young people with SEND in an educational setting is essential.
We have an exciting opportunity at our Openshaw campus to join our Supported Learning Department as a Specialist SEND Support Practitioner on a permanent, full-time (35 hours per week) basis.
Site Information
Our Openshaw campus is a vibrant, modern hub of learning, equipped with outstanding, industry-standard facilities designed to inspire both staff and students. Located just outside Manchester city centre, the campus offers a wide range of vocational and academic courses, with specialist spaces for areas such as construction, engineering, health, and digital.
Who are TMC?
The Manchester College is the Largest Further Education College in the United Kingdom and has the largest provisions for 16-19yrs olds, adults, and higher education in Greater Manchester. We are part of the LTE group that consist of MOL, Total People, UCEN Manchester, Novus, and LTE Group Operations. We currently support more than 25% of Greater Manchester’s learning provision and are currently rated “Good” by Ofsted. The Manchester Colleges offering is bolstered by 18 Centres of Excellence across our campuses, ensuring we give our best and strive to achieve an unrivalled learning experience for our students. We have partnerships with over 1000 industry and employer partners nationally to ensure our students secure their place as the leaders of the future.
Benefits
1. 35 days paid annual leave plus 8 bank holidays.
2. 3 well-being days per year.
3. Significant pension contribution.
4. Retail discounts.
5. Employee Assistance Program.
6. Cycle to work scheme.
Role Responsibilities
Please see the attached role profile for an overview of general role responsibilities.
Skills, Qualifications and Experience
To be successful in this role, you will need:
7. Minimum Level 3 Learning Support qualification or willingness to achieve within an agreed period or Minimum of a Level 3 Specialist support qualification in two specialist support areas (or willingness to achieve within an agreed period).
8. Minimum of a Level 2 qualification in English and Maths.
9. Willingness to work towards a secondary specialist support area at minimum Level 3.
10. Experience and knowledge, empathy and understanding of the specific issues relating to the education of young people and adults who have sensory, physical impairments or other specific learning difficulties gained within an educational or care sector setting.
11. Experienced and competent in the use of as Microsoft Office Suite and its accessibility features.
12. Ability to interpret relevant information provided through formal support documentation, categorising support levels within the Universal Support Framework, leading to successful bids for High Needs support, funding, early intervention of QFT strategies and detailed differentiated Personal Learning plans.
13. Have excellent communication skills in English, both spoken and written; and the ability to assert, influence and improve aspirational learning support practice through effective communication with learners, teachers, managers, parents and other educational professionals.
14. Autonomously plan and produce quality learning resources to support SEN/D learners to overcome barriers to learning, leading in your own area of primary specialism.
15. Ability to self-evaluate and make necessary adaptations to own practice.
16. Confident in identifying approaches and making innovative suggestions to teachers and managers to overcome competing resource pressures and associated potential conflicts.
17. Contribute to cross college CPD and training materials in your area of specialism in addition to Speech and Language Therapy and ELKLAN related CPD.
18. Successfully contribute to support a culture of teamwork and problem- solving within a multi-disciplinary environment requiring multiple and sometimes complex solutions to variable challenges.
19. Demonstrable ability to use Excel with a high degree of accuracy to interpret and present data.
Safeguarding
The LTE Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants will be required to undergo an appropriate DBS check via the Criminal Records Bureau and may be subject to additional online checks as part of our pre-screening process. Some roles are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and would require an Enhanced DBS check.
Equal Opportunities Statement
At The Manchester College, we’re committed to providing an environment free from discrimination, bullying, harassment, or victimisation, where all members of our community are treated with respect and dignity. The Manchester College is committed to working in an inclusive way with all the communities where we are geographically located and to developing a workforce and student community that reflects Greater Manchester’s and the UK’s rich diversity and vibrancy.
The closing date for this job advert is 29/09/2025. However, sometimes the job advert may close early if we receive a good response!