Higher Learning Support Assistant

Job Title: HigherLearning Support Assistant

Job Location:Oakwood Specialist College, Yate

Salary: Between £24,204.48 and £26,703.36 per annum, based on working 40 hours per week, term time only (40 weeks per year)

Contract Type:Permanent

Every person deserves the chance to access education, and for some learners, that means receiving tailored support to help them thrive. You'll work closely with neurodiverse young adults (Aged 16+) living with Autism, ADHD and other disabilities that impacts their education.

Our curriculum isn't like a mainstream college. You'll focus on building and developing life skills through individualised learning programmes, work experience, and foundational skills in Maths and English, rather than just qualifications. You'll deliver person-centred support, empowering learners to overcome barriers and embrace opportunities for growth.

With small class sizes of 5-7 learners, you'll have the chance to build meaningful connections and truly understand their individual needs. By creating a positive, engaging, and inclusive environment, you'll play a vital role in helping learners develop the skills they need.

This is more than a job – it's an opportunity to change lives, inspire confidence, and make a lasting impact.

A day in the life of a Higher Learning Support Assistant will involve:

• Assisting teaching staff in all classroom activities including planning, teaching and assessing learning. Completing critical incident logs and paperwork.
• Line managing all LSA's, overseeing their development and ensuring consistent compliance with policies and procedures.
• Working closely with learners keeping them engaged, motivated and inspired to reach their full potential.
• Working either 1-2-1 with learners, or in small group settings to help them achieve their learning goals.
• Championing and adhering to safeguarding practices, upholding health and safety standards, and supporting the delivery of high-quality learner outcomes.

To be a successful Higher Learning Support Assistant, you'll need:

• Patience, compassion, and resilience – The learners you'll support have Autism and ADHD, which may have an impact on their behaviour and communication needs.
• Great communication skills – Both verbal and written communication is important in this role as you'll be speaking to a lot of different people at different times and need to be able to update the learners' plans.
• A driving licence – Our learners love to go on fieldtrips. We need you to be able to drive them to where they need to go. We have the cars; you just need the licence.
• A genuine interest in a career focused on the education of people with Autism and other neurodiversity and disabilities.

In return for your time, you'll get:

• Holidays – You'll only work term time, but you'll get paid 5.6 weeks annual leave as well
• Pension scheme– Our pension scheme is based on you paying in 5%, and us adding 3%.
• Learning & Development Opportunities – We provide comprehensive learning opportunities for team members to develop themselves.
• Discounts – You'll have access to brilliant discounts through the Blue Light Card and our own employee benefits platform.
• Wellbeing Support – Your wellbeing is always our priority. You'll have access to mental health and wellbeing support. On top of this, our therapies team offers a monthly confidential check in clinic, and group reflective practice sessions.
• Cycle2Work -The cycle to work scheme enables you to buy a bicycle at a discounted rate.
• DBS – As this role required you to have an enhanced DBS carried out, we will cover this cost.
• After 12 months service - You'll be eligible for our Medicash scheme which covers a wide range of medical, health and wellbeing expenses (Including immediate access to a GP). You'll get life assurance paid at 2 x your annual salary, and even more high street discounts.

As part of our commitment to safer recruitment, successful applicants will undergo pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS, online and social media checks, and reference validation. Due to the nature of our work, we are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974), so we may ask you to disclose any spent or unspent criminal convictions during recruitment. This disclosure does not automatically disqualify you, and we encourage transparency at the application stage.

At Phoenix Learning and Care, we are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive environment where all team members feel safe to be themselves without risk of discrimination. We believe that a diverse workforce strengthens our organisation, and we strive to ensure everyone can contribute authentically and openly.