Teaching Assistant

Learning Support Assistant (Sports-Focused) – Pupil Referral Unit

Location: Liverpool
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Start Date: Immediate / As soon as possible

We are currently seeking a committed and enthusiastic Learning Support Assistant to join a dynamic team within a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in Liverpool. This role involves working 1:1 with secondary-aged students who have experienced challenges in mainstream education and require additional behavioural and emotional support.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a background in sports coaching or a strong passion for physical activity to use sport as a vehicle for engagement, personal growth, and learning.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide tailored 1:1 support to secondary students, helping them overcome barriers to learning and achieve positive outcomes.

• Use sport and physical activity—particularly football—as tools to build rapport, increase engagement, and support emotional regulation.

• Implement behaviour support strategies to help students with SEN and behavioural difficulties (e.g., ADHD) succeed in a structured environment.

• Support the academic, emotional, and social development of students through consistent guidance and mentoring.

• Contribute to a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment that fosters trust, motivation, and a sense of belonging.

Ideal Candidate:

• Experienced in sports coaching or confident in using sport to engage and motivate young people.

• Proven ability to support students with challenging behaviour and additional needs, including ADHD.

• Adaptable, proactive, and creative in delivering strategies that promote both learning and emotional development.

• Passionate about making a lasting difference in the lives of young people who have struggled in mainstream education.

• Experience working in a PRU, alternative provision, or with disengaged youth is highly desirable.

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website 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 date.
Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.
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