Salary: £12,126.86 to £12,174.46 per annum (pro rata of £24,714.00 - £24,811.00), plus excellent benefits.
Contract Type: Fixed term until 30 June 2027, 24 hours per week, 35 weeks per year (term time only).
Location: Paignton, Devon
Help shape futures. Build confidence. Make a difference, one workshop at a time.
South Devon College is seeking a dedicated and motivated Learning Support Assistant to play a key role in supporting High Needs Learners to succeed, thrive, and take an active part in college life.
Based within our Construction department, this role is hands-on, varied, and incredibly rewarding. You’ll be right at the heart of our workshops, supporting practical learning activities across multiple trades and working closely with teaching staff to ensure every learner can fully access their curriculum and achieve on their study programme.
What makes this role special?
Every learner you support will have an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) outlining their needs and outcomes. Your role is central in helping bring those plans to life by offering tailored, practical, and motivational support that enables learners to:
- Access learning confidently in a busy workshop environment
- Develop independence, resilience, and practical skills
- Work towards their agreed outcomes and ambitions
- Feel fully included in both lessons and the wider college community
No two days are the same, and that’s exactly what makes this role so rewarding.
Who we’re looking for
We’re looking for someone who brings both the right skills and the right approach.
You will:
- Hold GCSE English and Maths at Grade A–C (or equivalent Level 2), or be willing to achieve these within your first year of employment
- Have proven experience in a learning support, coaching, or similar role, with the ability to motivate and guide learners
- Be confident working in practical, workshop-based environments alongside teaching staff
- Be approachable, patient, and supportive, with a genuine commitment to helping learners grow
Above all, you’ll believe in our learners and be passionate about helping them build confidence and independence, both in the workshop and beyond.
Why join South Devon College?
- Be part of a supportive and inclusive college community
- Work in engaging, hands-on learning environments
- Make a direct, lasting impact on learners’ lives and future opportunities
- Enjoy a role where your support truly matters every single day
If you’re ready to get stuck in and support learners as they build skills for life and work, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now and help our learners build strong foundations, for their careers and their futures.
Our staff are integral to maintaining our passion and high-performance levels, and we reward our staff for this. Our benefits are designed to encourage a healthy work-life balance, and include:
- 25 days annual leave (pro-rata of fractional) including the option to purchase additional holiday days;
- 1 additional day’s holiday for your birthday (does not have to be used on your birthday);
- 1 additional day’s holiday for every 5 years served;
- Christmas Closure of up to 2 weeks in addition to annual leave entitlement;
- Access to a wealth of training, apprenticeships and funded higher education opportunities as well as dedicated training days;
- Local Government Pension Scheme Employer pension contributions of 18%;
- Subsidised fitness suite facility, onsite hair and beauty salon, access to a wide range of catering facilities, outdoor gym and free eyesight tests;
- Major supermarket and high street employee discount schemes;
- Life Assurance (if member of pension scheme);
- On Site Nursery (Mama Bears);
- Employee Assistance Programmes;
- Access to Blue Light Card membership;
- Discounted travel schemes.
Closing Date: Midnight, Sunday 06 September 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Desirable start date: September 2026
To apply and for a full job description please visit the Jobs page of the South Devon College website. Please do NOT send CVs, we only accept applications via the relevant form on our dedicated recruitment website.
Please note that you will be required to be in possession of an Enhanced DBS Certificate or be willing to undertake an Enhanced DBS check as a condition of employment at the College.
This College is committed to Safeguarding/Prevent and promoting the welfare of students, including children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The College is committed to applying its Single Equality Scheme at all stages of recruitment and selection. Shortlisting, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, transgender status, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, colour, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion/belief, age, pregnancy or maternity leave, or union membership.
Reasonable attempts will be made to accommodate the particular needs of any candidate who has notified us of a disability. This may include changing the timing or location of any interview to enable the candidate to attend, providing information in different formats or larger type, etc.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare any cautions, convictions, reprimands and final warnings that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).
Working at South Devon College, you can expect access to an exciting range of training, apprenticeship and opportunities for degree level study alongside your work to keep you at the top of your game, as well as generous holiday allowance of 25 days pro rata and a strong emphasis on work-life balance.
The staff at South Devon College are truly inspirational and this is a reflection on the whole College culture of continuous improvement and support for all of our students and communities. We hold the prestigious Investors in People (IIP) Platinum accreditation, the highest level awarded by the people management standard. This prominent distinction confirms the College’s status as not just a leading Further Education College, but also as a top employer in the country, as it joins the top 7% of accredited organisations across the UK.
We aim to provide our learners with excellent teaching and learning. Our staff are highly adept at working with and developing skills and knowledge in learners from different backgrounds. Our staff have consistently high expectations of all students and generate high levels of enthusiasm for participation in, and commitment to learning.
