Learning Support Assistant

The Role

Coombe House School has an immediate need for two new Learning Support Assistants to meet the needs of a young person with behaviours that are challenging and impacting their mental health, including self-harm, distress and anxiety.

You will be part of a team of talented Learning Support Assistants who work with the class Teachers to help plan and deliver lessons, and with the Pastoral Support Team and Therapists. Supporting learning objectives and developing skills for life within the community, helping the young person build relationships and engage confidently in social situations, in school and in the community.

We would like to hear from you if you have a passion for supporting young people with complex SEMH (social, emotional, and mental health) difficulties and sometimes challenging behaviour. Ideally you will have experience of working as a Mental Health Support Worker, Behaviour Teaching Assistant or SEMH experienced Learning Support Assistant.

We are looking for someone who is resilient, patient, caring and understanding, who will provide recognised support in periods of crisis and who can deliver appropriate activities when regulated.

Our school 

Coombe House School is an independent special school that provides education for pupils aged 5 to 19 with SEMH and ASD and associated difficulties, which represents the largest group of children and young people supported by an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) in Dorset and nationally. All pupils on roll have an EHCP. The school uses a therapeutic approach to support pupils with their individual difficulties. Everything the school does is based on the formation and maintenance of positive relationships and viewing all behaviour as communication.

We are seeking candidates who thrive on working in a challenging but immensely rewarding environment, who are passionate about supporting the development of social, life and independence skills and who truly want to make a difference in the lives of pupils. Our Learning Support Assistants are kind, patient, calm and compassionate who work on building trusting relationships with our pupils.

More about the role:

• Assist the class teacher and other staff to create a positive learning environment.
• Capacity to offer therapeutic support.
• Engage pupil in activities and learning planned by the teacher - both on site and in the community.
• Support pupil in managing their behaviour and learning.
• Equip pupil with essential coping skills.
• Support pupil to improve their behaviour through a positive behaviour approach.
• Teach pupil emotional self-regulation skills and social interaction and communication skills under the guidance of the class teacher.

Please review the job description and person specification for further information about the role. If you would like to work at a very special, caring, and nurturing school, please complete the application process.

Excellent salary ranges from £25,183 – £27,269 FTE per annum (Actual term time only for this position is £22,169 to £24,005 per annum). Working hours are:

Full Time (35 hours)

08.30 – 16.00 Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday

08.30 – 16.30 on a Wednesday

08.30 – 15.30 on a Friday

The school is accessed via a private road and enjoys a secluded setting within its grounds. The accommodation extends to over 160,000 sq ft, set within in grounds of 55 acres.

What Coombe House School can offer you:  

• A workplace set in beautiful surroundings. 
• Competitive salary.
• Access to an employee assistance programme. 
• Enhanced NEST Pension Scheme (10% employers' contribution).
• Continuous professional development and training
• Use of leisure facilities (gym and swimming pool), at specified times.
• Death in Service (3 x salary).
• Health Care Plan after probation period - claim back costs towards dental check ups, eye tests, prescription charges and therapies.
• Highly supportive leadership team and working alongside a multi-disciplinary team of other SEN Specialists.
• The opportunity to play an integral part at the infancy of this exciting and unique journey.

We may commence interviews prior to the closing date, so please don’t delay in making an application. Please contact Michelle Heywood, HR Manager on 01747 449856 for any queries.

Deadline for applications: Sunday 10th November 2024 (may close sooner as we are currently interviewing)

We have one permanent position and one on a fixed term contract to 31^st August 2025. With a fixed term contract there is a high probability of moving to a permanent contract linked to the schools predicted growth in pupils and staff. Please state in your application whether you are seeking a FTC or permanent role.

This post involves working with children or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them and will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

We are committed to safeguarding and expect everyone who works in our school (and visitors to our school) to share this commitment. We take all safeguarding and welfare concerns seriously and encourage our pupils to talk to us about any worries they may have. We will always act in the best interests of the child. The successful applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS. 

Qualifications