Learning Support Assistant

We are outstanding, you can be too.

We are looking for compassionate and motivated Learning Support Assistants to help our learners achieve their goals; develop their independence; and prepare for work and adult life. Working alongside our vibrant Education team, you will provide practical and individualised support that removes barriers to learning and enables every learner to reach their full potential.

The Role

In this varied and rewarding role, you will:

1. Support individuals and groups with their learning, care, therapy and wellbeing needs.
2. Facilitate learning activities under the guidance of tutors and managers.
3. Help monitor and record progress against individual targets.
4. Support learners with personal care, meals and breaks whilst promoting dignity and independence.
5. Assist learners with additional health needs and emergency medication, following appropriate guidance and training.
6. Work with colleagues to identify learners’ needs and the support required to help them succeed.
7. Support learners during behaviours that challenge, using agreed strategies and appropriate training.
8. Assist learners during internal and external work experience.
9. Work collaboratively with tutors, therapists, support teams and other professionals.

About you

You will have empathy for people with disabilities and a genuine desire to empower and inspire our learners. You will be able to remain calm in challenging situations, communicate clearly, and work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

You will need:

1. Experience of delivering directed learning to individuals or small groups.
2. A calm and flexible approach during challenging situations.
3. A good standard of written communication.
4. The ability to follow direction while using your own initiative when required.
5. A flexible and collaborative approach.
6. The ability to maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality and positive working relationships.

Experience of supporting people with learning difficulties, disabilities or complex needs would be an advantage.

You can see more about what we do at Portland Charity by looking at the Who We Are and Choose Your Future pages on our website https://www.portland.ac.uk/

We will be required to carry out an enhanced with barred lists DBS check as this role involves regulated activity.

Working at Portland Charity

At Portland Charity, our learners, citizens and staff are at the heart of what we do. We are passionate about our vision that all people with disabilities will have a lifetime of opportunity, and you could help us to achieve that. Our priority for staff is to create an outstanding place to work where the rewards of a job well done can be seen in the faces of our learners and citizens.

There are lots of great benefits to working at Portland Charity

1. A rewarding career and working towards positive outcomes for our learners and citizens
2. You are eligible for a Blue Light Card with access to lots of great discounts
3. Free and confidential access to an Employee Assistance Programme
4. Free parking on site and access to a subsidised canteen with a variety of meal options (main campus only)
5. Everyone has an opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills on the job through training, mentoring and qualifications.
6. Free life assurance – your family will benefit from a payment of 4x your annual salary if the unthinkable should happen

We are committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and developing community cohesion. We welcome applications from all sections the community.

Qualifications needed

Level 2 English and Maths or a willingness to work towards.

Working Hours

Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 4:30pm. Up to 35 hours per week.

Applying to work at Portland Charity

There are some other important things you need to know before you apply to work with us at Portland Charity.

Portland Charity is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its learners, citizens, customers, volunteers and staff. We expect all our staff to be aware of their responsibilities to protect learners, citizens, customers, volunteers and staff from abuse or harm and to promote Fundamental British Values.

It is an offence to apply for this role if you are included in the child and or adult barred list. This role involves regulated activity.

Successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, a social media check, and to provide proof of their right to work in the UK.

Please note – We need you to complete an application form to fulfil our Safer Recruitment responsibilities, but you can submit a CV, and we will consider it alongside your application form.

In order to apply for this role, you will need to apply using our online recruitment portal, Sam People Recruit.

Please click on the “apply” button, and this will take you to the link to access the platform.

If you have any questions or need some help when completing your application, you can contact work@portland.ac.uk or call the recruitment team on 01623 499111, extension 428 or 205, and we will be happy to help.

Many of our staff have a disability, and we’re proud to hold Disability Confident and Mindful Employer status which recognises our positive approach to physical and mental health and wellbeing at work. If you would like to speak with us before completing an application, you can contact our recruitment team on 01623 499 111 or via email at work@portland.ac.uk who will be happy to support you with your application or answer any questions.

https://www.mindfulemployer.dpt.nhs.uk/

https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/