Male Learning Support Assistant

Our client is a national residential College for the assessment, rehabilitation, vocational education and training of students with visual impairment and other disabilities. Its primary aim is to develop the skills of all students to the full, enabling them to live and work as independently as possible in society.

Students at the college are aged from 16-25. Students have a wide range of abilities and disabilities including Visual Impairment, Autistic Spectrum Disorders and Learning Disabilities. Many have more than one disability and many of their students have emotional, behavioural and communication needs. Their learner population is recruited nationally and reflects the multi-cultural nature of their society.

Hours are 32.5 per week, term time only. New starters will start at the lower end of the range and progress through annual increments to the upper point.

The successful candidates will support teaching staff in the preparation, delivery and assessment of the curriculum, as well as provide dedicated, one to one support to students with multi disability/complex needs. This includes providing personal care when needed and supporting the development of communication skills, emotional well-being and positive behaviour.

Our student group is very diverse, ranging from those studying entry level preparation for life skills through to level 3 qualifications, and LSAs are allocated according to student needs and where possible, applicants' individual skills.

You must be reliable, empathetic, a good communicator and passionate about enabling people with disabilities to achieve their individual goals. Candidates should have an understanding of the needs of people with complex disabilities and be able to deal with them patiently, flexibly and respectfully whilst promoting and maintaining dignity and individuality, particularly when supporting students with practical activities and personal care. You need to be proactive, calm and resilient when supporting students with emotional and behavioural needs.

Due to their emotional and behavioural need some of their male students are most appropriately supported by male staff, they have a genuine occupational need for Male Learning Support Assistants to also support a number of male students with their personal care needs.

Please apply early, as they will interview when they have a received a sufficient number of applications, but will continue to interview after the closing date.

The College is committed to safeguarding and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.

Closing date: 11th August 2017 12:00 noon
Interviews: week commencing 14th August and 21st August