Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship

**Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship position at Haywood Grove School (SEN)**

**Apprenticeship overview**:

- ** Wage**: £6.40 an hour, pay increase after 12 months
- **Working Week**: Monday 8:30am - 3:45pm, Tuesday 8:30am - 4pm, Wednesday 8:30am - 3:45pm, Thursday 8:30am - 3:45pm, Friday 8:30am - 2:15pm
- **Total hours per week**: 33.5 hours a week
- **Expected duration**: 18 months
- Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship standard qualification
- Online training with our dedicated tutors
- **Work Address**: St Agnells Ln, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 7BG

**Full vacancy description**:
This role is a relationship-based role where you are expected to be highly skilled in developing relationships and rapport with children who often don’t trust adults, feel let down, are disengaged and have challenging behaviours. You will recognise each child for their own unique character and personality - this creative role is not a one-size-fits-all product but one that requires skill, passion and dedication to being an emotionally available adult that can help with the education and care of each child we are privileged to come alongside.

The role of support staff (of which an apprentice is one) exists to complement the work of all school staff in addressing the needs of children who require help to overcome barriers to learning both inside and outside of the classroom environment. Apprentices, like all staff, will work face-to-face with children, providing individual and group support to engage with academic learning and to develop their social and emotional skills so that they can go on to become fully functioning and valued members of a civil society.
- To work with and support children between the ages of 4 and 11 on an individual or small group basis, both in and outside of the classroom (including, where appropriate, the home or local community) on a 38week basis.
- To work in collaboration with teachers and senior leaders to improve and extend provision within the curriculum.
- To participate in the assessment of children who need extra help to overcome barriers to learning they experience from inside and outside school.
- To maintain regular contact with families/carers of children in need of extra support, to keep them informed of the child’s needs and progress, and to secure positive family support and involvement.
- To provide support to children who may be at risk of suspension and those who may need a very bespoke curriculum.
- To participate in detailed monitoring and the recording of progress, including the preparation of paperwork for meetings and reviews pertinent to individual children.
- To be involved in the sharing of relevant information and relevant liaison between local agencies and schools to provide a means for smooth and effective communication.
- To attend relevant courses and staff training.
- To support transition from the primary phase to the next and provide continuity of support on an identified basis.
- To adhere to and promote the ethos of the school.
- To set an example of personal integrity and professionalism.
- To attend appropriate staff meetings/parent consultations etc
- To carry out any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post as required.

**Vacancy requirements**:

- Ability to establish rapport and relationship with complex children
- Knowledge and experience of trauma informed practice
- Able to maintain appropriate boundaries with children
- Able to maintain and grow working relationships with other professionals
- Compassion and empathy for those who have suffered childhood traumas/ACEs
- An understanding of the impact of childhood experiences on sense of self
- Ability to emotionally regulate when in connection with dysregulated others
- Ability to engage in physical activities alongside young people
- Knowledge of the national curriculum or a desire to build a knowledge of this.

**Desired skills, qualities and qualifications**:

- Enjoy physical, creative and active pursuits
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Ability to work as part of a team, within the ethos of Haywood Grove School
- Competence in the use of ICT
- Knowledge, experience, and training associated with working with children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties

**What training will the apprentice take and what qualification will the apprentice get at the end?**

Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship standard qualification

**What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?**

**About the School**:
Haywood Grove is an SEMH Primary Specialist School for children with social emotional and mental health needs. All children have experienced a disrupted education, having been permanently excluded or having not been in school for a number of years. This role exists so that they can be supported and guided to make the most of opportunities to grow their sense of self and gain understanding of the world around them.
All children present with challenging behav