Specialist Learning Support Assistant – Alternative Provision

Overview

Specialist Learning Support Assistant – Alternative Provision

Location: Birmingham \& surrounding areas
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm
Contract: Term\-time – 39 weeks plus 2 additional weeks per year
Salary: £25,000–£28,000 FTE, dependent on experience, pro rata for the working year
Full UK Driving Licence \& Access to a Vehicle Required
Employer: Elevate Learning Ltd – Thrive Alternative Provision

About Thrive Alternative Provision

Thrive Alternative Provision provides highly individualised education and support for children and young people who may find it difficult to access or engage successfully within mainstream education.

We support young people with a range of additional needs and complex profiles, which may include autism, ADHD, learning needs, communication differences, sensory needs, anxiety and social, emotional and mental health needs.

Our approach is relational, trauma\-informed and neuro\-affirming, with a strong focus on understanding the individual child, building trusting relationships and creating an environment in which they can feel safe, develop confidence and experience success.

Our practice is also informed by Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), communication\-focused approaches and Speech and Language Therapy principles.

We are looking for a warm, resilient and committed 1:1 Specialist Learning Support Assistant to join our growing team.

The Role

You will initially provide consistent 1:1 support for an identified young person, helping them to access education, develop independence and build the skills they need to successfully engage in learning.

Support may take place within Thrive Alternative Provision and the young person's home/registered school, depending on their individual programme and needs.

You will work closely with the wider Thrive team, school staff, families and other professionals to provide a consistent and joined\-up approach.

This role is about much more than supporting academic work. Developing a positive, trusting relationship with the young person and understanding the reasons behind their communication and behaviour will be central to the role.

Key Responsibilities

You will:

• Provide consistent and individualised 1:1 support to a child or young person.


• Support the young person both within Thrive Alternative Provision and, where required, within their home/registered school.


• Build a safe, positive and trusting relationship with the young person.


• Support engagement in learning and adapt activities according to the young person's individual needs.


• Implement individualised strategies and support plans developed by the wider team.


• Use Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) principles to understand behaviour and proactively support the young person's needs.


• Recognise behaviour as a form of communication and seek to understand the factors contributing to distress, disengagement or dysregulation.


• Support emotional regulation and co\-regulation.


• Promote communication, independence and self\-advocacy.


• Support the development of:


• Communication skills


• Emotional regulation


• Independence and life skills


• Social interaction


• Learning readiness


• Academic skills


• Confidence and self\-esteem


• Support sensory and environmental adaptations where required.


• Collect and maintain appropriate records relating to engagement, progress and agreed outcomes.


• Contribute observations to help inform individual planning and reviews.


• Work collaboratively with teachers, families, schools and multidisciplinary professionals.


• Support transitions between Thrive, school and other environments where appropriate.


• Attend team meetings, training, supervision and professional development.


• Maintain professional boundaries and consistently follow safeguarding procedures and organisational policies.

Who We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who is:

• Warm, engaging and genuinely passionate about supporting children and young people.


• Calm and patient, particularly when a young person is experiencing distress or dysregulation.


• Able to build strong relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.


• Reliable and consistent – our young people need adults they can trust and depend upon.


• Curious about behaviour and willing to consider what a young person may be communicating through their actions.


• Able to take a proactive rather than reactive approach to support.


• Flexible and able to adapt their approach to the needs of an individual child.


• Emotionally resilient and reflective in their practice.


• Comfortable working both independently on a 1:1 basis and as part of a wider team.


• Confident communicating with schools, families and other professionals.


• Committed to ongoing learning and professional development.

Essential Requirements

Applicants should have:

• A minimum of 12 months' experience working with children or young people with additional needs.


• Experience within a relevant role such as:


• Teaching Assistant


• Learning Support Assistant


• SEND Teaching Assistant


• Behaviour Support Worker


• Pastoral Support Worker


• Speech and Language Therapy Assistant


• Occupational Therapy Assistant


• Youth or family support


• An understanding of, or willingness to develop their knowledge of, Positive Behaviour Support (PBS).


• Strong written and spoken English.


• Basic IT skills and the ability to maintain clear and accurate records.


• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.


• A commitment to safeguarding children and young people.


• Willingness to undertake an Enhanced DBS check and all required safer recruitment checks.

Desirable Experience

It would be beneficial if you have experience or knowledge relating to:

• Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)


• Autism


• ADHD


• Learning disabilities


• Speech, language and communication needs


• Sensory processing differences


• SEMH needs


• Anxiety and emotionally based barriers to school attendance


• Trauma\-informed practice


• Neuro\-affirming practice


• Supporting emotional regulation


• Supporting children displaying behaviours of distress


• Individualised or personalised learning programmes

A relevant qualification or degree in Education, SEND, Psychology, Child Development, Health, Social Care or a related discipline would also be welcomed, although the right values, experience and approach are equally important to us.

Our Approach to Positive Behaviour Support

Positive Behaviour Support is an important part of our approach.

We aim to understand why behaviour is happening, rather than simply responding to the behaviour itself.

Staff are supported to consider a young person's communication, environment, sensory needs, relationships, emotional regulation and previous experiences when developing strategies to support them.

Our approach focuses on proactive support, quality of life, developing skills and creating environments in which young people are more able to succeed.

Commitment to Trauma\-Informed and Neuro\-Affirming Practice

We recognise that many of the children and young people accessing Alternative Provision may have experienced significant difficulties within education and, in some cases, trauma or adversity.

Our practice prioritises:

• Emotional and physical safety


• Trusting relationships


• Co\-regulation


• Predictability and consistency


• Understanding behaviour as communication


• Respecting neurodiversity


• Supporting autonomy and choice


• Identifying and building on individual strengths

We are looking for staff who are willing to reflect on their own practice and understand the young person behind the behaviour.

Training \& Development

We are committed to supporting staff to develop specialist skills relevant to Alternative Provision and the young people they work with.

This may include training and development in areas such as:

• Positive Behaviour Support


• Autism and neurodiversity


• Trauma\-informed practice


• Communication


• Emotional regulation and co\-regulation


• Sensory needs


• Safeguarding


• SEND


• Individualised learning approaches

Staff will also receive ongoing supervision, support and opportunities for professional development.

What We Offer

• £25,000–£28,000 FTE, dependent on experience and qualifications, pro rata for the working year.


• Monday–Friday working hours of 8:30am–4:30pm.


• Term\-time working – 39 weeks plus 2 additional weeks per year.


• A supportive and collaborative team environment.


• Regular supervision and professional development.


• Specialist training relevant to the children and young people we support.


• The opportunity to work closely with families, schools and other professionals.


• The opportunity to contribute to a developing Alternative Provision and help shape how support is delivered.


• A role in which you can make a meaningful difference to a young person's experience of education.

Safeguarding \& Safer Recruitment

Elevate Learning Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and all staff are expected to share this commitment.

The successful applicant will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks, including:

• Enhanced DBS and Children's Barred List check


• Satisfactory references


• Verification of employment history


• Verification of relevant qualifications


• Identity and right\-to\-work checks

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide a full employment history and explanations for any gaps in employment as part of our safer recruitment process.

Travel Requirements

This role involves working across different settings and may include travel between Thrive Alternative Provision, a young person's school and other agreed educational or community settings.

Applicants must therefore hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Pay: £25,000\.00\-£28,000\.00 per year

Work Location: In person

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