1:1 Teaching Assistant

We are supporting a well-established, independent school in Staffordshire for the recruitment of a dedicated 1:1 Teaching Assistant, to provide individual support to a child.
Role: 1:1 Teaching Assistant (x2 part time opportunities available) - fixed term, dependent on the ongoing support required by the child
x1 - 24 hours per week
x1 - 15 hours per week
Salary: To be discussed
Start date: As soon as possible – subject to satisfactory references and DBS
This is a rewarding opportunity for an experienced Teaching Assistant or Learning Support professional to provide dedicated support to a pupil, helping them overcome barriers to learning, develop confidence and achieve their full potential.
The school is looking for someone who understands that every child learns differently, and who can adapt their approach to help a pupil access learning, develop independence and enjoy their time at school.
Main job purpose:
* To work with a named child to develop 1:1 support arrangements, which enable the pupil to overcome a range of barriers to learning.
* To enable the child to achieve their full learning potential and facilitate their personal, academic, social and moral development.
* To ensure a good relationship can be built with the child, the successful candidate will need to be confident with their communication skills.
* To assist the Headteacher/SENCO to promote the child’s academic, social and emotional development. This will be achieved through the development and implementation of programmes of pupil work and support and in the provision of a stable, caring and supportive learning environment.
* To have high expectations of all pupils and respect for their social, cultural, linguistic, religious and ethnic backgrounds. To work as part of a team to develop the effectiveness of this role.
Main responsibilities and duties:
* To support the teaching and learning processes.
* To assist the SENDCo/Headteacher in the assessment of pupil need and capability, and developing, implementing and managing predominantly individual pupil learning strategies aimed at the:
* management of pupil learning and behaviour;
* establishing and maintaining of relationships with the specified pupils in support of the pupil’s learning activities;
* continuous review and development of the postholder’s professional practice/skills and competences; inclusivity of pupils with identified SEN needs.
* Develop, maintain and apply knowledge and understanding of an identified pupil’s specific learning needs. To ensure that support is given commensurate with the specified need of the pupil.
* Supporting and directing literacy and numeracy tasks, clarifying and explaining instructions.
* Focus support in areas needing improvement both academic and social/emotional.
* To support the use of ICT in the classroom and work with and support pupils to ensure they are able to use ICT and other specialist equipment to enhance their learning.
* Motivate and encourage the named pupil to concentrate on and fulfil the tasks set.
* To assist teaching staff in the development of learning strategies, with the provision of teaching and learning resources and in the preparation and maintenance of a safe, secure and suitable learning environment.
* Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people in accordance with the school’s safeguarding and child protection policy.
* Liaise with parents/carers as appropriate.
* Network with other Teaching Assistants, teachers and professionals, e.g., Educational Psychologists.
Qualifications and experience required;
* NVQ/BTEC in Learning Support or an equivalent qualification is desirable.
* Qualifications in English/literacy and mathematics/numeracy.
* Experience of working with children in an educational setting is essential.
* Experience of working with children with SEND or additional learning needs is highly desirable. We particularly welcome candidates who have experience supporting learners with ADHD, executive functioning difficulties, speech and language needs (including DLD), or literacy difficulties.
* Significant empathy with pupils who have additional or special educational needs. Where appropriate, to be prepared to undertake special skills training e.g. signing, to meet additional educational and communication needs.
* To undertake continuous professional development. A willingness to attend courses as required to enhance the knowledge, understanding and skills to improve the general level and quality of support given to pupils and teachers and to maintain the identified competence of the postholder.
Safeguarding Responsibilities for this post
Safeguarding responsibilities associated with this role may include engagement in regulatory activity, such as caring for an injured/upset child. It may have regular contact with young people on a day-to day basis. The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will have to meet the person specification and the post is subject to safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check and Children’s Barred List check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
PLEASE NOTE that this is for guidance only and is not a comprehensive list of all tasks which may be required of the post holder. It is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the work to be undertaken, commensurate with the grade. The duties of this post could also vary from time to time as a result of new legislation, changes in technology, policy changes or as reasonably assigned by the Head of School