SEN Learning Support Assistant

SEN Learning Support Assistant

Build a rewarding career supporting children and young people with additional needs, backed by meaningful training, careful school matching and ongoing local support.

Local Education is recruiting SEN Learning Support Assistants for September opportunities across mainstream schools, enhanced provisions, specialist schools and alternative settings in South Essex.

As a GCA-approved supplier, we are working with a growing network of schools and academy trusts that require well-prepared, dependable support staff.

Opportunities may include daily supply, long-term 1:1 support, small-group intervention, class-based support and temp-to-permanent positions.

The pupils you may support

Assignments can involve children and young people with:

- Autism and social communication needs
- ADHD
- Speech, language and communication needs
- Moderate or severe learning difficulties
- Sensory or physical needs
- Complex needs
- Social, emotional and mental health needs
- EHCPs and personalised support plans

The exact responsibilities vary between settings. Some roles focus primarily on learning and communication; others may involve emotional regulation, behaviour support, mobility or personal care.

We explain the requirements clearly before presenting you to a school.

Why Local Education?

A strong SEN Learning Support Assistant needs more than a DBS and a CV. They need preparation, the right environment and support when challenges arise.

Local Education offers:

- Free safeguarding and behaviour support
- School-specific induction materials where available
- Clear information about pupils, duties and expectations
- Ongoing contact throughout your placement
- Weekly PAYE pay with transparent payslip information
- Daily, long-term and potential permanent opportunities
- Support identifying the SEND environments that match your strengths
- Access to an expanding network of GCA partner schools and trusts

Where a school shares its procedures and approach, our in-house training support can help prepare candidates before arrival.

This may cover behaviour expectations, communication strategies, safeguarding processes and practical routines. Our aim is for you to arrive with a better understanding of the setting rather than having to learn everything during the first hour.

What will you do?

Depending on the assignment, you may:

- Provide 1:1 or small-group support
- Adapt activities under the teacher’s direction
- Encourage communication, independence and engagement
- Support literacy, numeracy and wider curriculum access
- Use visual resources or communication systems
- Follow EHCP targets and record progress
- Help pupils regulate emotions and behaviour
- Work with teachers, SENCOs, therapists and families
- Provide personal care where this is an agreed part of the role

Who should apply?

We welcome experienced SEN Teaching Assistants and Learning Support Assistants, but we also value relevant experience from:

- Childcare and early years
- Residential care and support work
- Youth work and mentoring
- Health and social care
- Sports coaching
- Mental health services
- Community and family support
- Graduates in psychology, education or related subjects

You will need patience, resilience, professional boundaries and a genuine belief that progress looks different for every pupil.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS, references, right to work and relevant declarations.

Apply through CV-Library today. Suitable applicants will be contacted to discuss their experience, preferred age groups, comfort with personal care, travel area and the SEN Learning Support Assistant opportunities available for September.