Behaviour Support Assistant

We are seeking to appoint two specialist Learning Support Assistants for Easter who have sound knowledge and experience of supporting students who have Social, Emotional and Mental Health Issues (SEMH) to work within their SEN department as directed by the SENCO. As a specialist SEMH LSA, you will support students who have difficulties with their behaviour, socialisation, attention, anxiety and depression, attachment, low self esteem and issues with self-image. The purpose of the role is to ensure that students who fall into these categories have provision to high quality education through intervention on a 1:1 and/or small group basis within nurturing environments.

Within the SEN department the school has a specialist centre to support SEMH and is utilised  to support pupils who experience short but significant periods of high anxiety, stress, distress or anger that affect their education. It also includes pupils who have a range of longer-term recognised mental health conditions. The school believes that all pupils should expect to receive an education that enables them to achieve within school and wider outcomes, becoming more confident, able to communicate their own views and ready to make a successful transition into adulthood. The SEN department has 3 other members of staff and an inclusion officer of whom you would work closely alongside to ensure that the schools mission for their students is effective.

Specific responsibilities include:

•              To support pupils ‘social and emotional development and promote independence in a safe, secure, challenging environment employing strategies to recognise and reward achievement.

•              To focus on individual pupils to ensure their needs are being met within well-being interventions and the nurture group.

•              To work with other staff to develop and implement a well-being curriculum for pupils.

•              To monitor and evaluate pupil’s responses to activities in well-being interventions through observation and planned recording of achievement against individual profile targets.

•              To liaise with class teachers/SENCo to set and implement targets for individuals.

•              To listen, support and discuss issues sensitively with parents and carers under the supervision of the teacher/ SENCo/PSA and to occasionally participate in feedback sessions/meetings with parents.

•              To prepare, plan and manage specific well-being activities using effective methods and adjusting them according to pupils’ responses/needs.

The school is Secondary Academy catering for mainstream pupils with its own inclusion unit for those with SEMH needs. Based in the Seaside city of Portsmouth, it has excellent links to bus, rail and main roads in and out of the city.The school believes in promoting equality for all and strongly reflects this in its values and ethos. They believe that each pupil has the chance to turn their day around no matter their choices so far. Due to the demographic of the area, many pupils come challenging environments and the school are keen to not only educate, but support pupils through everyday adversities and equip them with the skills and tools to be a successful member of their community.

To be considered for the role, you should have a minimum of C grade in English & Maths at GCSE, be able to provide evidence of continual professional development and ideally be first aid trained (although not essential). Being able to demonstrate qualifications relevant to the role itself would be advantageous or a subject related degree. You should have experience working with young people, more specifically supporting young people of all abilities including those with SEN.

Interviews are being held early February and you will be contacted if you are short-listed.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see teachingpersonnel.com/faqs for details.

All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later

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