Purpose of the role: To work as part of the Prep School team, under the guidance of the SENCo, supporting the learning and pastoral care of an autistic child who requires dedicated pastoral and emotional support. You will be working in close liaison with the Year 3 team, the school’s pastoral team, the family and other professionals.
Pastoral support:
- Through careful planning and consideration of the school environment, create a sense of safety and belonging for an individual child
- Help develop the child’s understanding of how they are experiencing school and work alongside them to develop skills to manage feelings of anxiety or sensory overwhelm
- Work to support the child to develop executive function skills
- Support the child to develop friendships and interactions with their peers
- Provide flexible, responsive support in response to the child’s needs
- Participate in positive behaviour support and, where appropriately trained, implement approved physical intervention strategies in accordance with school policy
- Maintain accurate records of interventions, observations and support provided, in accordance with school procedures
Teaching support:
- Support the child so that they’re able to be included within all aspects of school, with direction and/or guidance from SENCo, LED, teachers, specialists or parents, as appropriate
- Ensure that access to the curriculum is achieved through a thorough understanding of the child’s learning, communication, social and emotional needs
- Support the child in ensuring academic stretch in line with his high-attaining cognitive profile
- Support the attainment of educational targets and progression
- In liaison with subject teachers, and where necessary, work with the child on an individual basis to teach curriculum content in order to facilitate an appropriate timetable
- Help develop greater skills for independence in learning across the wider curriculum
- Communicate with the Class and Subject Teachers as appropriate throughout the day to ensure a ‘team’ approach to care
- Contribute to communication with parents, under the direction of the SENCo and class teacher
Classroom support:
- Work with class teachers to ensure that teaching environment is adapted where possible to meet child’s needs
- Endeavour to ensure the children in the class are unaware of the individualised nature of the support
- Assist the child in managing the day as independently as possible as they move around the school
Supervision of pupils:
- Assist with classroom supervision in accordance with the school’s policies
- Adhere to the school’s behaviour policy, liaising with the Pastoral team/SENCo around any behaviour concerns relating to the individual child, or any other child
- If required, help supervise pupils within the child’s cohort in the playground
- If required, assist with lunch duties and monitor/guide behaviour and social interaction at lunchtime
- Join other staff and groups of pupils on agreed off-site activities and educational visits involving the individual child
- Support and assist the individual child in learning how to manage any social, emotional or physical challenges they may face
Training:
- Attend inset training and other whole-school training on educational matters, child protection and safeguarding or other subjects as prescribed by the school
- Attend whole-school staff meetings as requested by the Senior Leadership Team
- Participate in any arrangements for appraisal of your performance
- Maintain your own safeguarding training and other training relevant to your role, via the TES website and/or INSET
General:
- Undertake other such duties appropriate to the grade and character of work as may reasonably be required by the SENCo or Class teacher
- Attend school before term starts and after term finishes, making necessary preparations as required and to attend relevant and whole-school INSET
Whole-School Safeguarding Responsibilities include:
- Safeguard and promote the welfare of all children
- Foster a culture of openness, safety, equality and protection
- Provide a safe and welcoming environment where both children and adults feel secure, able to talk and believe that they are being listened to
- Play a key role in the prevention of harm and an equal responsibility to act on any suspicion or disclosure that may indicate a child is at risk of harm
- When concerned about the welfare of a pupil, act in the best interests of the pupil
- Maintain appropriate confidentiality and professional behaviour at all times
Personal Qualities, Qualifications and Experience:
Required:
- A minimum of Maths and English at GCSE grade C (now 4-5) or equivalent
- Experience of working with children (in any setting)
- Adaptable and flexible
- Have a caring and positive nature
- Prompt and reliable
- Be creative, energetic and supportive
- Calm under pressure
- Effective listening skills
- Ability to encourage, reassure and nurture
- A calm, courteous and approachable manner
- Ability to help make school life enjoyable and satisfying
- Integrity, honesty and a professional manner
- Ability to empathise with the ethos of the School
- Excellent collaboration skills, flexibility, good humour and empathy
- Commitment to participating fully in the life of a busy and sociable School
Desirable:
- Have experience of working with neurodivergent children, young people or adults (specialist training along with ongoing support and advice will be provided)
- Experience of using ICT in communications, assessment and planning
- All staff have a key role to play in identifying concerns early and in providing help for children and are expected to act in accordance with the School’s Safeguarding & Child Protection Policies.
Terms & conditions
This post is linked to a specific child with learning needs and will continue while the needs of the child continue.
The working hours and days of the Individual Needs Assistant will be arranged and agreed between the post-holder and the Bursar/SENCo in response to the needs of the child, and will be defined in an Offer letter.
Holidays, Remuneration and Benefits
- Cumnor is in a position to offer an outstanding remuneration package, in line with experience and qualifications, and this will be discussed at interview.
- Generous contributory pension scheme
- Free on-site parking
- Complimentary dining and refreshments available all-day during term time
- Free use of swimming pool at specified times
- Occupational sick pay scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
Application Process and Safeguarding:
To apply, please complete our application form (which can be found on our website) and submit it with a covering letter to [email protected] by 31st July 2026. Early applications are encouraged, as we reserve the right to close this vacancy before the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is appointed.
If you would like to make enquiries, please call Karen German on 01825 790347.
Cumnor House Sussex is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. An offer of employment will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure, satisfactory safeguarding interview and pre-employment references, verification of ID, medical fitness and relevant qualifications, and other security checks including Overseas and Teachers Barred lists.
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounted or free food
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
