Post 16 Learning Support 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:  Post 16 Learning Support Assistant 

Location:  Heath Farm College, Maidstone ME16 0ER

Salary:      £18,118.75 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours:      32.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Contract:  Permanent, Term Time only

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a Post 16 Learning Support Assistant to join our close-knit team at Heath Farm College, part of Acorn Education.

About the role

• To assist in promoting the learning and personal development of the students enabling them to make best use of the educational and adulthood opportunities available to them.
• To model the College Values of Love, Commitment and Opportunity on a daily basis.

Key Responsibilities

• Clarifying and explaining instructions
• Ensuring students are able to use equipment and materials provided
• Motivating and encouraging the students
• Attention, reassurance and support with learning tasks as appropriate to students’ needs
• Assisting students in specific areas of learning skills if required, e.g. speech and language, reading, spelling, numeracy, handwriting/presentation and so forth
• Using praise, commentary and assistance to encourage the students to concentrate and stay task motivated
• Liaising with tutors, teachers and other professionals with regards to Student Learning Plans, contributing to the planning and delivery as appropriate
• Providing additional nurture to individuals when requested
• Consistently and effectively implementing college protocols and modelling the College Code of Conduct
• Helping to make appropriate resources to support students

Who we are looking for

The ideal candidate will have the following attributes/qualifications

• Essential
  • Minimum of 3 GCSEs or equivalent
  • Good level of literacy and numeracy
  • Driving licence
• Desirable
  • NVQ Teaching Assistant or equivalent
  • Child Protection and Safeguarding Training 

About Us

Heath Farm College is an independent specialist sixth form college that caters for young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. We offer a unique and stimulating environment where every student is able to make outstanding progress in their personal development and enjoy success in their education. 

Heath Farm College is situated in Maidstone and has capacity to support up to 58 students. The provision facilitates a professional post 16 provision for students with EHCPs who are not ready for a large FE college or large school/academy 6th Form provision. 

Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education. 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 Acorn Education?

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

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

*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. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit

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