About this Role Concordia Academy wish to appoint a Special Education Needs Learning Support Assistant. The Learning Support Assistant role is vital to the school and involves supporting children with a variety of needs including Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP’s). We are particularly interested in speaking to individuals who have a background in Speech and Language, ADHD, SEMH and Autism. SEND Learning Support Assistants are an important valued member of the teaching team. As well as working directly with the children’s teacher, the LSA is encouraged to use his/her own initiative and skills to enhance the quality of teaching and learning for the children. In particular, successful applicants should have: At least one years experience of working with SEND children in the primary age range Experience of working with children in a friendly, busy environment An understanding of children with SEND needs Level 2 qualification in play work/childcare Paediatric first aid qualification (desirable) Knowledge of child safeguarding procedures Have a sympathetic understanding of the emotional, social and intellectual needs of children with special educational needs Motivated to work with children with special educational needs and to inspire confidence in them You should: Be calm, patient and have good listening skills Have the ability to build effective relationships with students, parents and other staff Be reliable, trustworthy, discreet and able to maintain confidentiality The ability to relate in a firm and friendly way with a wide range of personalities The ability to use initiative Be willing to undertake direction and guidance Have a good understanding of behaviour management strategies Be able to work as part of a team For further information about the role come and visit our school To book your visit or for an informal discussion, please contact the school office. School visits are encouraged but are by appointment only. Why work with us There are over 60 schools within the Trust which means we can offer opportunities including: Collaboration across other REAch2 schools, both locally and nationally. Specialist curriculum support and training from our Trust experts - providing a flightpath for professional development A support package for staff wellbeing You’ll be working for a Trust with big ambitions for all our schools to be 'great'. We want to be national leaders in sustainability; to transform our teaching and learning through digital transformation and to ensure social justice is at the heart of what we do. Safeguarding, Safer Recruitment and Data Protection At REAch2 we recognise that those who work in an academy are in a unique position in their care of children. The responsibility for all staff to safeguard pupils and promote their welfare, as stated in Section 175 of the Education Act (2002) is one that is central to our ethos, our policies and our actions. All children are deserving of the highest levels of care and safeguarding, regardless of their individual characteristics or circumstances, and we are committed to applying our policies to ensure effective levels of safeguarding and care are afforded to all our pupils. We will seek to recruit the best applicant for the job based on the abilities, qualifications, experience as measured against the job description and person specification. The recruitment and selection of staff will be conducted in a professional, timely and responsive manner and in compliance with current employment legislation, and relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be requested for all successful candidates, including a Children's Barred List check if the role meets the criteria for regulated activity. All information is stored securely, and any information supplied by unsuccessful candidates will be destroyed through a confidential waste system six months after the decision has been communicated, in accordance with our information and records retention policy. The Trust ensures all applicant data is stored and processed appropriately. For further details on how your information will be managed during the recruitment process please refer to our Privacy Notice for Job Applications.