Key Role Information

Salary
£24,306 - 28,938
Job type
Full Time
Contract type
Permanent
Closing
19/10/2026 09:00
Interview
TBC
Contract term
TTO - Term time only
Pay grade
Communication Support Workers | CSWP1 - CSWP5
Department
College
Key stage
Not Applicable
Hours per week
35.00
Weeks per year
39.000
Visa sponsorship
No

Your Role

Every day at the Deaf Academy is different. One moment you may be supporting a student to access a qualification in the classroom, the next you could be facilitating communication during a work placement, supporting a learner on a supported internship, helping a young person develop their independence skills, or enabling full participation in enrichment activities and events.

As a Communication Support Worker, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring Deaf students can fully access learning, achieve meaningful qualifications, gain valuable workplace experience, and develop the confidence, communication skills and self-advocacy needed for successful adult lives. Working as part of a specialist multidisciplinary team, you will help create inclusive, accessible environments where Deaf young people can thrive, achieve their ambitions and realise their potential.

What you'll be doing

In addition to providing high-quality BSL communication support, you will:

  1. Support learners across Level 1, 2 and 3 programmes
  2. Provide communication support in educational, community and workplace settings
  3. Act as a mentor for less experienced CSWs
  4. Contribute to annual reviews and EHCP processes
  5. Support quality assurance and best practice within the CSW team
  6. Work collaboratively with teaching staff to develop multimodal learning environments
  7. Support students undertaking supported internships and preparation for adulthood programmes

Essential Requirements

  1. BSL Level 3 qualification (or equivalent) or progress towards higher-level qualifications
  2. Signature Level 3 Professional Communication Support qualification (or equivalent)
  3. GCSE Maths and English (Grade 4/C or above)
  4. Experience supporting Deaf learners in education or workplace settings
  5. Strong understanding of Deaf Culture and the Deaf Community
  6. Knowledge of SEND, EHCPs and inclusive practice
  7. Excellent written, note-taking and interpersonal skills

Desirable

  1. Edexcel Professional Development Award for CSWs
  2. CACDP Note-taking qualification
  3. Job coaching experience
  4. Experience delivering Deaf Awareness training
  5. Experience mentoring or supporting colleagues

Candidates will be shortlisted on a rolling basis, therefore the advert may close earlier than the advertised date

The Deaf Academy

Alicia Arbury

hr@thedeafacademy.ac.uk

The Deaf Academy
1 Douglas Avenue
Exmouth
Devon
EX8 2AU
Alicia Arbury
hr@thedeafacademy.ac.uk

Safeguarding Information

The Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young adults; as such an enhanced DBS check is required.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare any cautions, convictions, reprimands and final warnings that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).

The Academy is a Disability Committed Employer in promoting diversity and inclusion for all its students and staff. The Academy is also signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant in supporting ex-service personnel in recognising their skills and experience.