Teaching Assistant

Full Job Description

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

If the trial is a success, we’ll be rolling the 4DWW out across the Group – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join #teamOFG!

Job title:          Teaching Assistant

Location:         Ryecroft School, Walsall

Salary:             £20,906.25 per annum

Hours:             37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract:         Permanent, Term Time only

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

Are you an enthusiastic and dedicated Teaching Assistant looking for an exciting opportunity?

About the Role

As a Teaching Assistant, you will be responsible for safeguarding the young people and making sure they are healthy, safe and as comfortable as possible. You will assist in their learning by offering companionship and support, whilst ensuring their physical, mental and emotional needs are met. You will be required to prepare learning materials under the supervision of the teachers and to participate in learning activities. The Teaching Assistant will also be required to liaise with parents and staff with regards to the wellbeing of the young people.

This role involves working with young people who have complex behaviour associated with their learning needs. You will be trained to deescalate these situations and put in place pro-active strategies to avoid similar situations in future.

Key responsibilities

• Provide a safe, caring and healthy environment where the pupils can thrive and develop their independence.
• Promote and celebrate diversity.
• Safeguard all pupils and support them with their individual and personal needs.
• Support and facilitate the learning of students.
• To follow school policy and procedures for recording and reporting.

About the school

Our New Options School - Ryecroft School has capacity for 60 pupils and opened in September 2024. Our New Options School caters for pupils with Autism and complex needs. 

The school is located in Walsall. Walsall is a market town in the West Midlands County. It is located 9 miles north-west of Birmingham, 7 miles east of Wolverhampton and 9 miles from Lichfield.

For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Options Autism? 

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support. 
   

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 

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