SALARY: Between £24,755 - £26,111 FTE (£15,321.26 - £16,160.51 per annum, pro rata) depending on experience, plus Pension
JOB TYPE: Permanent
HOURS: 0.61 fraction (30Hrs/week = 5 days/week for 34 wks/year)
LOCATION: Stevenage, Engineering and Construction and Hitchin campuses
About the Role:
The Hart Learning Group has an excellent reputation for our inclusive practice and quality of opportunities. In fact, our High Needs provision was graded Outstanding in our 2023 Ofsted inspection!
The Supported Studies team helps students achieve their learning goals by supporting them inside and outside the classroom through a variety of methods. Their fully inclusive approach involves creating adapted learning materials, sourcing accessible technology, face-to-face and group support, and changes to the way information is delivered, depending on the needs of each learner.
The Learning Support Assistant supports the college's commitment to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and equitable learning environment for all students. Working with the wider Supported Studies team you will provide support to students with diverse needs, including those with disabilities, learning differences, and other barriers to education. This role ensures students can fulfil their potential and become independent confident learners.
About the Organisation:
The College operates across three main campuses in Stevenage and Hitchin, employing over 650 staff. With a turnover of £30m, the college provides learning opportunities to over 10,000 students each year from study programmes for 16-18 year olds and apprenticeships through to adult provision locally, regionally and nationally. We were judged Good by Ofsted at our last inspection in December 2023, with outstanding features.
Job Description
Roles and Responsibilities
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Implement a range of highly effective strategies to support the diverse additional learning needs within the student cohort, whilst promoting independence, and tailor these for each individual in line with their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), support plan, initial assessment and individual targets.
- Assist teaching staff in delivering outstanding teaching and learning, including use of specialist assistive technology, to ensure students achieve their planned outcomes and reach their potential.
- Interpret instructions effectively to support students in following these and assist with communication challenges, to ensure equal access for all.
- Maintain accurate, timely departmental records and contribute to the setting and monitoring of individual targets, including the review of EHCP outcomes as part of the annual review process.
- Provide support with study skills, pastoral needs and community access 1:1 or in small groups to ensure students successfully navigate any challenges and progress to their aspirational destination.
- Assist with personal care, aid mobility, administer medication and provide the relevant support with individual arrangements for students with complex support needs.
- Support students in engaging with work experience opportunities. This may include: liaising with students, employers and the Work Experience coordinator to arrange work placements, coaching students for interviews, on the job and maintaining departmental work placement records.
- Adhere to confidentiality guidelines and college policies for SEND, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and safeguarding.
- Contribute to the work of the curriculum team; attend curriculum events and course and department meetings.
- Access training and professional development activities to ensure continually remaining up to date and gaining new skills and knowledge, including SEND specific options.
General Duties
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To contribute to the effective management and promotion of equality and diversity
- To work in accordance with the Health & Safety at Work Act, ensuring the College is a safe environment for staff, students and visitors.
- To promote with staff and students the importance of safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults they are responsible for and come into contact with.
- To work at all times in accordance with North Hertfordshire College’s policies and procedures.
- To carry out such duties as may be required from time to time by the college that are appropriate to the grade of the post
This job description is intended as a general guide to the duties attached to the post and is not an inflexible specification.
Person Specification
ASSESSMENT METHOD
A = Application
I = Interview process
Experience of working with vulnerable young people who have SEND including Neurodiversity and Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) challenges.
Commitment to improving opportunities for young people with SEND, especially in the areas of independence, health and well-being, social inclusion and work opportunities in order to prepare them for adulthood.
Level 2 qualification in learning support or related discipline.
Seeing the bigger picture
Communicates clearly what outcomes will be achieved
Consider how own job impacts on colleagues and students.
Effective Decision Making / Problem Solving
Recognises when and how to make decisions within remit of role
Exercise good judgement in problem solving
Flexible and adaptive to change
Review working practices and come up with ideas to improve the way things are done
Communicating with Impact
Communicate clearly and positively
Express ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing, and with sensitivity and respect for others.
Keep relevant people up to date
Developing own capability
Adapt own behaviour to improve personal performance
Willing to learn and take on new ways of doing things
Knowledgeable in own area and is able to deal with customer queries effectively.
Strives to deliver a good service for the customer
Place the customer’s needs as the key focus in all activities
Work to deliver and exceed the results expected
See tasks through to completion
Display drive and commitment to deliver the service
Work in an organised manner using own knowledge and expertise to deliver on time and to standard.
Be accountable for delivering results
Monitor and manage own performance against agreed objectives
