Learning Support Assistant

North East Ambition; Alnwick; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational organization is seeking a Learning Support Assistant to make a significant impact on learners with special educational needs. The successful candidate will support a customized learning programme and help students integrate into regular learning activities, helping them thrive. Applicants should have relevant experience, hold essential qualifications, and be passionate about improving young people's education and behaviour. This role offers a fixed-term contract until 21/08/2026 and outstanding benefits including holiday entitlement and pension scheme.

Benefits

26 days annual leave plus public holidays, rising to 31 after 5 years

Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexi scheme for flexible leave

Local government discount schemes

Work/life balance options including job sharing

Qualifications

• Experience of supporting programmes for Post 16 young people with special educational needs.
• Knowledge of different social, cultural, and physical needs of pupils.
• Training in aspects of SEN (e.g., ELSA, dyslexia).

Responsibilities

• Support learning opportunities for learners with special educational needs.
• Develop support in partnership with the lecturing team.
• Assist learners' integration in class and social activities.

Skills

Experience with children with special educational needs

Effective communication

Ability to provide appropriate role models

Education

GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English

NVQ2 or equivalent for Supporting Teaching and Learning

Job description

Northumberland Skills Service (part of Northumberland County Council) is seeking to appoint a Learning Support Assistant who can make a difference within Northumberland. The role is for individuals with experience in supporting programmes for Post 16 young people and will be on a term‑time only basis.

Fixed Term until 21/08/2026

37hpw

Role of the Job

• To support a relevant and accessible programme of learning opportunities (courses, workshops, etc.) for learners on an Education Programme for Young People with SEN, focusing on the development of basic skills and vocational learning.
• To develop the support in partnership with the lecturing team. To assist and support learners with special educational and general learning needs.
• Provide support for learners with special educational needs and ensure that the learner can integrate as fully as possible in the activities generally undertaken by other learners in the class and make progress.
• Run specific programmes and activities to assist the learners’ individual learning and social needs.
• Implement the targets on the learners’ Individual Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) in liaison with the class lecturers.
• Provide learning support for learners in class or in one‑to‑one situations.
• Develop knowledge of the particular needs of the children and seek advice from the class lecturer and outside agencies as required.
• Assist in making or modifying resources as suggested and advised by the Educational Psychologist or other outside agencies and the lecturer.
• Organise and maintain an inclusive learning environment across the whole environment.
• Provide positive reinforcements, praise and rewards to learners. Facilitate inclusion in small group activities with peers and support interaction between them.

Applicants for the position need to have:

• Experience of working with children with special educational needs in a Post 16 setting.
• GCSE, O' Level or equivalent qualifications in Maths and English.
• NVQ2 or equivalent recognised by the National Occupational Standards for Supporting Teaching and Learning (NOS‑STL).
• Knowledge and understanding of the different social, cultural and physical needs of pupils.
• An interest in how young people learn and behave.
• Provide appropriate role models of behaviour both in the classroom and around school.
• Care passionately about young people, particularly those who find learning and managing their behaviour difficult.
• Training in aspects of SEN (e.g., ELSA, dyslexia).

The successful candidate will undertake an Enhanced Disclosure Check.

Why choose us?

We have some outstanding benefits to offer you, including:

• 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part‑time employees).
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Flexi scheme (if applicable) – up to 2 days flexible leave available per month (pro rata for part‑time employees).
• Local government discount schemes available to all employees with offers at local businesses and various national brands.
• Commitment to work/life balance offering flexibility through various schemes including job sharing, flexible working, term‑time only, and compressed hours.
• A range of salary sacrifice schemes are available.

Further information

For guidance on completing your application and for information about our Equality and Diversity principles, please see the attached guidance notes.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, the alternative methods include:

• British Sign Language: northumberlandcc‑cs.signvideo.net
• For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss: Text relay service dial 018001 01670 623930.

All application communication will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please check your emails, including Spam/Junk, for notifications after the closing dates.