KEYFORT Group are delighted to share an exciting opportunity as part of the expansion of our new Alternative Education Service, developed in partnership with Newcastle Council. This role marks a key step in our journey to provide innovative, person-centred education for young people with complex needs who fall outside of mainstream education.
Please note: This position does not offer UK visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application.
Job Title; Learning Support Assistant (September start, in line with school academic year)
Location; Ouseburn, Newcastle
Rate of Pay; £13.65
Shift Pattern Available; P:art Time (12hrs) , 4 sessions per week, across Monday to Friday afternoons, 12.15pm to 3.15pm
Essential Criteria: driver and willing to use their own vehicle
Who we’re looking for
We are looking for a Physical Development Learning Support Assistant to join our Alternative Education department. This is a bespoke, non-traditional Learning Support Assistant role supporting one young person on a one-to-one basis. The role is focused on helping the young person access education through physical regulation, movement-based activities and consistent adult support.
The young person has complex sensory, physical and emotional regulation needs. He experiences high levels of anxiety, sensory overload, demand avoidance and dysregulation. He also has Developmental Coordination Disorder, hypermobility, joint instability, pain and fatigue, which can affect his movement, posture, confidence and readiness to learn.
The successful candidate will need to be calm, consistent, reliable, patient and able to build trust over time. The role requires someone who can work at the young person’s pace, use a low-demand approach, and support physical development activities in a safe, positive and encouraging way.
This is not a traditional classroom-based LSA role. The priority will be supporting regulation first, so that the young person is better able to engage in learning, build independence, develop confidence and access wider opportunities.
You will support structured physical development activities such as walking, swimming, adapted resistance-based activities, pushing and pulling tasks, weighted carries or weighted backpack walks, cycling or rowing with resistance, bodyweight activities, outdoor movement, gardening or practical manual tasks. Activities must be carefully adapted to take account of the young person’s hypermobility, joint pain, fatigue and motor planning difficulties.
You will work closely with Teachers, Occupational Therapist, SEND Leads, Coordinators, family members and external professionals, where appropriate, to ensure a consistent and person-centred approach.
Experience supporting children or young people with SEND, anxiety, sensory needs, physical development needs or behaviours of concern would be beneficial, but formal qualifications are not required. Full guidance and support will be provided.
Essential Criteria
- Experience supporting children or young people in education, care, or SEN settings, particularly young people with autism, profound learning disabilities, or complex behaviours of concern
- Confidence supporting young people who may display challenging or complex behaviours
- A naturally positive and resilient attitude that helps create a safe, supportive, and engaging environment
- Strong understanding of safeguarding policies and practices
- Ability to follow guidance, support plans, and behaviour support strategies consistently
- Ability to adapt support for young people with SEN, with guidance from Teachers and Teaching Assistants
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Desirable Criteria
- Experience supporting children or young people with SEND, anxiety, sensory processing needs or behaviours of concern
- Experience supporting physical activity, sports, swimming, outdoor activities or movement-based programmes
- Understanding of autism, sensory regulation, DCD, hypermobility or trauma-informed practice
- Experience working in education, care, youth work, sports coaching, alternative provision or community support
- Enhanced DBS registered on the Update Service
Role Responsibilities
- Support one young person on a one-to-one basis as part of their Alternative Education package
- Provide calm, consistent and predictable support during afternoon sessions
- Support physical development activities linked to regulation, confidence, body awareness and readiness for learning
- Help the young person access activities such as walking, swimming, adapted resistance work, outdoor movement and practical tasks
- Follow therapy-informed guidance around safe movement, pacing, fatigue, hypermobility and joint pain
- Break tasks down into manageable steps to reduce pressure and cognitive overload
- Use a low-demand approach and avoid unnecessary pressure or confrontation
- Support the young person to feel safe, settled and ready to engage
- Encourage independence, confidence and participation at the young person’s pace
- Work closely with teachers, family members, coordinators and external professionals
- Safeguard the young person at all times and act in their best interests
Our Values
It is important that we share the same values, and we ask that the following matters to you:
- Making a positive difference: you love knowing that what you do, and how you do it, matters.
- Taking pride in your work: you aspire to deliver quality in everything you undertake.
- Relationship building: you value taking the time to get to know people, their interests, and their aspirations. Building respectful and meaningful relationships is important to you.
Who are Keyfort Group? Keyfort Group deliver packages of care and support to individuals with a range of conditions and disabilities. Our support is person-centred, we only work with people if we think we can provide great care not based on their disability. We have experience of working with people with a brain injury, neurological condition, learning disabilities, spinal injuries, physical and mental health needs.
What benefits will you receive?
- A contract that works for you; Part Time
- Protected Non Term Time Annual Leave
- Retirement Package; eligibility based upon length of service
- Death in Service Benefit; eligibility based upon length of service
- Cash Health Care Plan; eligibility based upon length of service
- Employee Assistance Programme; access to a free service providing a wealth of support and knowledge around financial, mental and physical wellbeing.
- Training, Mentoring and Shadowing programmes; inhouse with our own RGN, Occupational Therapist and trained Psychologists
- Paid Enhanced DBS check
- Colleague Referral Scheme - £200 incentive bonus (T&C’s apply)
- FlexEarn; which is a simple and safe way of accessing the wages you’ve already earned
- Blue Light discount card; giving you BIG discounts at major retailers
- Employee of the month scheme; winners receive a monetary voucher
Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
KEYFORT Group is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and lived experiences, including those from under-represented groups.
We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and employment, to ensure everyone can perform at their best.
Next Stage
All applications will be assessed against the role requirements. Candidates who are successful at this stage will be invited to share their interview availability. If you have not heard from us within 7 days of the advert closing date, unfortunately on this occasion you have not been successful.
Pay: £13.65 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
Licence/Certification:
- Driving licence and access to your own vehicle (required)
Work Location: In person
