PMLD Learning Support Assistant

Learning Support Assistant

Location: Aylesbury

About the School

We are a secondary special school with post-16 provision, catering for young people aged 11-19 with complex learning difficulties, including profound & multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), severe & complex learning needs, many with autism spectrum conditions and significant communication challenges. students), enabling very personalised and therapeutic support. The curriculum focuses heavily on functional skills, communication, life skills, emotional resilience, personal, social, moral and emotional development, creative arts and preparing young people for as much independence as possible.

Students have access to multi-professional support: speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy plus specialist teaching staff.

The Role: Learning Support Assistant

You will work under the guidance of teaching staff and therapy professionals to support young people with complex needs. Your role will involve both personal & learning support, helping students access the curriculum, develop independence and supporting their wellbeing across the school day.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in delivering differentiated learning / functional skills curriculum, supporting students in small groups or 1:1

• Help implement individual education plans (IEPs), behaviour plans and communication plans; carry out tasks under supervision of teachers & therapists

• Support non-verbal or alternative communication (e.g. AAC devices, visuals, Makaton, etc.)

• Assist with personal care, hygiene, mobility or sensory needs where required, maintaining dignity and respect

• Support with emotional and behavioural regulation; help students navigate transitions, breaktimes & daily routines

• Liaise with multi-disciplinary team (teachers, therapists, care staff) to follow therapy or care programmes

• Observe, record and report on student progress, welfare and wellbeing

• Follow all safeguarding, health & safety, medication policies, and prescribed protocols

Experience & Knowledge Required

• Prior experience working with children or young people with SEND (e.g. in a special school, care setting, support role) or relevant care & support background

• Understanding of communication difficulties, sensory processing issues, autism – or willingness to learn these areas in depth

• Knowledge or willingness to be trained in behaviour management approaches, de-escalation, regulation strategies

• Patience, empathy, flexibility, resilience and good interpersonal skills

• Ability to work as part of a team, also able to work under supervision and follow guidance/professional input from therapists etc.

• Good communication skills, willingness to observe & report carefully, maintain confidentiality and adhere to professional standards

Why Work Through SENDHelp

By joining via SENDHelp, you’ll receive:

• Competitive pay rates, tailored for SEND / specialist roles

• Access to high quality training and CPD specific to special education, communication, sensory therapies etc.

• Supportive recruitment process: guidance, induction, mentoring suited to specialist settings

• Opportunities to grow your experience and career in SEND, especially if coming from a care or support background

• Flexibility where possible in working hours; being part of a committed team with a shared mission to enable young people to achieve

If you are committed to helping young people with complex needs build confidence, communication, and independence, and come from a caring or SEND-experienced background, we’d really like to hear from you.

As a specialist SEND recruiter, child safety and welfare is our number one priority. That is why we conduct thorough checks on all our candidates, and ensure that they abide by our Candidate Code of Conduct.

All Candidates will be required to provide an Enhanced DBS that is actively registered on the Update Service, or apply for one as part of the onboarding process. This is in addition to other mandatory compliance checks in line with the DfE guidelines. For further information please see our Safer Recruitment Policy.

SENDHelp is an equal opportunities employer.