Learning Support Assistant

Support and Assist Pupils

• Assist and support pupils with special educational, social, emotional, and behaviour difficulties. Liaison with SENCO, Head Teacher, Class teachers, Deputy Head and other support staff, including outside agencies such as Speech and Language Therapists and Educational Psychologists when required.
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work and aims of the Academy and carry out tasks under the direction of SENCo, Class Teacher, Deputy Head Teacher or Head Teacher.
• Plan and prioritise tasks under the pressure of a busy inclusive primary school.
• Be productive and show initiative.
• Communicate effectively and appropriately to pupils with different abilities and ethnic backgrounds.
• Motivate pupils to learn and to be sociable.
• Assist with the organisation of the learning environment.
• Maintain accurate records of pupils.
• Work effectively with other adults in the school and the wider community.
• Be a responsible and trustworthy role model.
• Show patience with children who find conforming to rules and expectations difficult.
• Be flexible, innovative and understand how children might behave when learning new concepts.
• Respect and maintain confidentiality while observing safeguarding protocols for information sharing.
• Be computer literate.
• Attend training courses considered appropriate for the post.

Supporting Pupils

• Provide learning support in 1:1 and group situations.
• Develop knowledge of the particular needs of each child and seek advice from SENCo, class teacher and outside agencies as required.
• Aid access to the full range of learning experiences inside and outside the classroom and provide modified materials such as worksheets, games, visual prompt cards etc.
• Modify resources as suggested and advised by SENCo, Educational Psychologist or other outside agencies.
• Organise and maintain an inclusive learning environment across the entire school.
• Provide positive reinforcements, praise and rewards to pupils.
• Facilitate inclusion in small group activities and support interaction between peers.
• Attend in-service training and relevant meetings to stay updated with developments in working with children with special educational needs.

Supporting the SENCo

• Work as part of the team to ensure the wellbeing and personal development of pupils enhances their learning opportunities and life skills.
• Attend planning meetings with the SENCo to develop learning programmes and assist in the delivery of individual programmes daily to promote learning, behaviour and communication skills.
• Provide regular feedback to the SENCo and, where necessary, to relevant outside agencies about any pupil’s difficulties and progress.
• Contribute to the pupils’ annual review by writing a brief report and attending the meeting.

Other Duties

• Provide personal care support as required.
• Be aware of and comply with policies & procedures relating to child protection; equal opportunities; health, safety and security; confidentiality and data protection, and report all concerns to the appropriate person.
• Adapt work to address the specific needs of students and accept any reasonable alterations to the post description.

The duties and responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present. This role will be reviewed annually as part of the performance appraisal process and the post holder is expected to accept any reasonable changes that may from time to time be necessary. Westfield Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Personal Qualities

• Polite and courteous
• Confidentiality, probity & integrity
• Excellent time management
• Ability to be flexible in approach to work as part of a team
• Ability to understand the needs of students, staff and professionals
• Excellent organisational skills
• Strong people skills, fair-minded and able to communicate well to a variety of audiences
• Sense of humour, patience and flexibility
• Able to interact effectively with staff, parents, students and outside agencies
• Team player, willing to share in key decision making

Qualifications & Training

• English and Maths GCSE (A-C or 4+).
• Training in aspects of SEN such as ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism.
• Proven on the job experience.

Relevant Experience

• Minimum 5 years experience of working as an LSA with children with special educational needs in a secondary school setting or in a primary school with Year 5/Year 6 students.
• Appropriate experience in administration.
• Proven track record of working within a team.
• Computer literate.
• Calm in a crisis.
• Uses own initiative.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Willingness to learn new skills and acquire new areas of knowledge.
• Enjoy working as part of a hardworking, supportive and friendly team.
• Understanding and sensitivity to others.
• Keen to develop the role.

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