Learning Support Assistant

Salary: Grade 1C / 3, spine points 9 – 17, For Kingston = Outer London £22,306 - £23,598 (FTE £28,218 - £29,852)] = Inner London £23,559 - £24,921 (FTE £29,802 - £31,526)] inclusive of London Weighting Allowance

Location: Kingston

Working Pattern: 36 hours per week, Term Time only (36 working weeks), 8.45 am – 4.30 pm Monday to Thursday and 8.45 am to 4.15 pm on Friday

Orchard Hill College is an Outstanding Specialist College (Ofsted, April 2025) offering life-changing learning opportunities to young people and adults with a range of special education needs and / or disabilities. We operate vibrant community-based College Centres across London and Surrey, where committed specialist teams deliver a variety of programmes designed to meet the diverse needs of our students.

Students who study with us have a wide range of needs including profound and multiple learning disabilities, communication and behavioural difficulties and specific medical needs. All students are individual, and their learning programme is designed to support and empower them to achieve their aspirations and goals, whilst developing skills to become more independent members of their community.

We are looking for Learning Support Assistants (LSA) to support learners through their educational, personal care and therapy programmes, ensuring student's health and wellbeing is maintained.

As an LSA you will engage with students during lesson and break times, promoting their independence and communication as directed by the class Lecturer. You will support our students to gain self-confidence and independence through encouragement and reassurance, by supporting the students in accessing a range of home, community, work related and basic skills learning programmes.

• Demonstrate the mentality that students can and do achieve.
• Follow instructions and guidance from the Classroom Lecturer to provide support for students reinforcing their learning and constant promotion of independence. As well as a complete understanding of destinations and targets.
• To encourage students in all areas of the curriculum, to progress to their chosen career destination, gain greater independence in the home and promote community-based learning.
• To positively support the health and wellbeing of learners by follow the guidelines for individual support, care needs and medical interventions (including basic first aid and administration of PRN medications (Epi Pen, etc.).
• Follow the Health and Safety policy and procedures to ensure the safety of learners and staff at all times.

• Experience of working within a team.
• Experience of working with or caring for children or adults who have barriers to learning and / or special educational needs.
• Must hold level 1 Maths and Level 2 English qualifications or be willing to enrol on a functional skills course within your first year of employment and complete the course within 2 years.
• Able to demonstrate a commitment to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
  
  Able to take responsibility for individual and small groups of students, with a range of needs, including behaviours of concern, in different settings.

Orchard Hill College is an exciting, forward‑thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Below is just a selection of the benefits available to our employees :

• Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Home Electronics Scheme)
• Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme
• Employee Discounts (Blue Light…