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:  Learning Support Assistant

Location:  The Wenlock School, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 3SB

Salary:      £20,906.25 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours:      37.5 hours per week | Monday – Friday (08:15 – 15:45; Mondays until 16:30)

Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only 

This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, The Wenlock School is excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Learning Support Assistant to join our dedicated and close-knit team in Dudley, West Midlands.

About the Role

In this important role, you will work 1:1 with individual pupils who require additional support due to a range of social, emotional, and learning challenges. These may include speech and language disorders, difficulties with expressive or receptive language, attention and concentration difficulties, challenging behaviour, and work avoidance.

While this is a predominantly education-focused role, you will also support families, carers, and the wider community, and work closely with key external agencies such as:

• Social Workers
• Speech and Language Therapists
• Social Communication Disorder Assessment Services
• Early Intervention Teams
• Educational Psychologists

You’ll play a vital role in promoting not only academic learning but also personal development and well-being, both in and outside of the classroom.

Key Responsibilities

• Safeguard and promote the welfare of all pupils
• Provide tailored 1:1 learning and behavioural support
• Support teachers in classroom organisation and lesson delivery
• Liaise with external agencies and family members to support holistic care
• Assist in planning and delivering interventions both within and outside the classroom setting
• Promote inclusion and help every pupil reach their full potential
• Take on specific administrative or organisational tasks as required
• Support school-wide initiatives as part of ongoing professional development and school improvement

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

• Experience working in a SEND school environment
• Grade C / 4 or equivalent in Maths and English (GCSE)
• A strong understanding of supporting children with complex behavioural and communication needs
• Ability to remain calm, resilient, and adaptable
• Team player with a compassionate and patient approach

Desirable:

• Experience working with multi-agency teams
• Training or experience in speech and language support, SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health), or behaviour management strategies

About us

The Wenlock School opened in September 2018. We are a co-educational day school catering for pupils aged 7-18 with a range of complex needs including a range of social, emotional and mental health needs and also pupils who have been diagnosed with autism or demonstrate behaviours associated with autism.

You will contribute to making The Wenlock School an Outstanding provision and a leading light for our young people and their families. The uniqueness of every pupil is recognised and valued at The Wenlock School and our curriculum embraces the community, from which it exists, recognising and celebrating the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our growing cohort. Through our curriculum, we develop the essential knowledge, skills and understanding, which are the building blocks for later life.

Our curriculum encompasses not only the formal requirements of the National Curriculum, but goes beyond the experiences of the classroom to ensure that our pupils are exposed to the richest and most varied opportunities that we can provide. Our aim is to enrich every pupil's school experience by creating an environment where they are encouraged to succeed and be the best they can be. We provide a therapeutic, supportive and inclusive learning environment and are committed to raising achievement and enabling pupils to recognise their potential.

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? 

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 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.

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. 

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

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales. 

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