SEN Teaching Assistant

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

4DWW will be rolled out within our school, when we have a full complement of staff, and within the next year – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us #teamOFG!

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a Teaching Assistant to join our close-knit team at Smallbrook School, part of Acorn Education.

Job Title: SEN Teaching Assistant

Location: Heath Farm College, Maidstone, ME16 0ER

Salary: £20,906.25 per annum

Hours: 37.5 hours per week; Monday to Friday

Contract: Permanent, Term Time only

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

Who we are looking for

You will be adaptable and ready to work in a variety of classroom roles, both indoors and outside according to individual need. Taking a responsive and caring approach, you may be running classroom activities, leading outdoor experiences or supervising pupils as they explore further afield.

Our schools are built on great teamwork and mutual support. If you enjoy working as part of a dedicated team, sharing knowledge, experience and learning, simply fill in our safeguarding-compliant application form and a member of our team will be in touch.

Purpose

• Provide comprehensive, professional and tailored support to teachers to assist pupils with their educational and social development, both in and out of the classroom environment within a specialist school for young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health, ASC or other complex needs.
• Provide adaptable and flexible communications styles based on individual pupil needs in order to achieve sustained progress.
• To know, understand and role model OFG’s cultural and behavioural expectations as leading provider of education and employer of choice.

Qualifications:

• Evidence of essential qualification will be required prior to employment commencing.
• Good standard of general education with at least a C (or equivalent) GCSE in numeracy and literacy.
• Level 3 teaching assistant qualification (or willing to work towards).
• Experience of working with pupils with special needs.
• You must be willing to undertake any training or qualifications as deemed necessary by the organisation.

About us

We are an independent specialist sixth form college that caters for young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. We offer a unique and stimulating environment where every student is able to make outstanding progress in their personal development and enjoy success in their education.

Heath Farm College is situated in Maidstone and has capacity to support up to 58 students. The provision facilitates a professional post 16 provision for students with EHCPs who are not ready for a large FE college or large school/academy 6th Form provision.

Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education and residential care for vulnerable pupils and young people. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Acorn Education?

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy.

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