Lead Learning Support Assistant

Job Overview:

As a college, our strategy is Career-Focused Learning and ensuring that the learner experience and our relationship within our community, local and regional employers, are at the heart of everything we do.

Are you looking to find a career in education in a forward thinking, employment sector focused college with state of the art immersive, supportive and creative learning environments? This is an ideal opportunity to join a successful and established learning support department as a Lead Learning Support Assistant (LSA), in the classroom. Within this role you will have the chance to work with experienced, innovative and inspiring teachers and learning support staff in a range of curriculum areas; giving you an insight into the rewarding career of working with young people at a critical time in their career focused development. In the role you can make a key difference to the outcomes of young people with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Applicants must have an empathetic approach and be able to work flexibly. You will be a good communicator, confident in supporting students to attain their learning outcomes and with the ability to develop a professional rapport with young people between 16-24 years. You will have good academic credentials and be able to support learners from foundation level to adult access students. The role is developmental and the successful candidate will be offered regular professional development to extend your skills and knowledge.

We look forward to meeting you as an enthusiastic individual who can make a real difference to the teaching and learning experience provided at USP College. You could be part of our USP team delivering a supportive, immersive and creative learning environment. Share with us your drive, ability and desire to motivate students to achieve the highest possible learning outcomes is essential. Make an application today.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop an effective relationship with parents in order to share information, alleviate anxiety and develop positive solutions to ensure young people’s needs are met.
• To deliver Education, Health and Care Plan annual reviews for a cohort of learners and ensure paperwork is returned in a timely manner to take the lead for both pre-course interviews and enrolment for students with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND).
• To monitor the provision of support and guidance for your students experiencing learning difficulties and disabilities
• Produce and maintain individual learning plans for students to liaise actively with teachers to promote to identify and meet the learning needs of students.
• To support the ALS management function in the absence of the ALS manager on campus. LSA duties to provide individualised learning support in the classroom and support centre for students with additional support needs.
• To work closely with the Teachers and ALS Manager to ensure that the support provided is appropriate and effective.
• To assist in the implementation of a range of systems, processes and procedures relating to learning support.
• Reviewing and monitoring quality processes to ensure service level agreements are met, quality standards are maintained, and customer satisfaction is excellent.
• Work with others to promote a positive attitude to wellbeing within the college.
• Support College events to promote the Wellbeing service.

Job Requirements:

• Qualified to GCSE level 4 or equivalent in Maths and English.
• Good standard of general education.

The right candidate will have:

• Experience of working with young people.
• Excellent communication Skills
• Ability to work in a busy environment
• Knowledge of Microsoft office and ability to adapt to new software
• Ability to prioritise their workload
• Have a team orientated ethos

Why choose us:

Our strategy is to create a Career Focused, Digital Learning environment, ensuring that the learner experience and our relationship within our community, local and regional employers, are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to be selected as finalists for the AoC Beacon awards for effective use of digital Technology in FE.  Providing a high achieving, focused learning environment allowing our students to achieve the grades they need for higher educations, or the skills and aptitude required to secure a suitable role in their chosen career. Our college is set in the leafy suburbs of Essex, with easy access to surrounding areas and amenities, we are based in a well-connected location both by road and rail.

What we offer:

• A dedicated and friendly team of professionals who are keen to develop and learn.
• Excellent pension provision
• Annual Staff Awards
• CPD days - opportunities to grow and development through mentorship and coaching
• Free onsite parking
• Staff appreciation days
• Eye care vouchers
• Onsite Starbucks & Restaurant
• Well-being days & activities 
• Electric Vehicle Scheme*
• Discounted gym membership.
• Fully immersive teaching rooms allowing online teaching simultaneously at multiple locations.
• Hybrid Working available.
• Free Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7, 365 days offering legal & financial advice, as well as general support & guidance.

*subject to terms & conditions

This role is considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Which means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.  It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a self-declaration of their criminal record or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. Self-declaration is subject to Ministry of Justice guidance on the disclosure of criminal records, further information can be found on GOV UK

USP College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, we therefore expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service, and any other checks that the role requires to ascertain suitability for working with children and/or vulnerable adults, which may include online searches.

We will hold and process any personal data, including sensitive (special category) personal data, relating to you in accordance with our legal obligations, in the manner set out in the Privacy Notice for staff and in accordance with our Data Protection Policy, which is set out on the College’s website, found here.  You should familiarise yourself with our Data Protection Policy (and all other subsidiary policies to it) and comply with them at all times. Neither the Privacy Notice for Staff nor those policies form a part of your contract of employment.