Job Description

Job details

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Responsible to


Learning Support Lead, Inclusion and Support


Location


Buxton Campus


Closing date


Monday 4 August 2025


Salary


24,579 to 25,332 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to 29,132 per annum)



Job grade


ATOS 3


Reference


0063-25


Contract type


Permanent


Post type


Full-time


Adaptive working type


Onsite

This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.



About the University
We have one simple promise - to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.



The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.



We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 - making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.



Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.


About the College/Department
Buxton and Leek College, part of the University of Derby, is graded as a "Good" college by OFSTED and has a team of dedicated staff who take pride in supporting learners towards their study and career goals. This is a fantastic opportunity to join our team on our journey to becoming an outstanding provider.


About the role
We are actively seeking an Education Support Worker to join the Learning Support/High Needs Department here at Buxton and Leek College. In post you will support a diverse range of students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Specific Learning Difficulties (SLD), thereby fostering an inclusive educational environment.



The role of Education Support Worker is vital in enabling students to engage fully with the varied curriculum we offer, which spans from pre-entry qualifications to higher degree apprenticeships. As you may know, our students face differing challenges in their educational journeys, and it is imperative that we cater to their unique learning requirements. The successful candidate will play an essential role in supporting learners both in and out of class sessions, offering assistance in person as well as online.



In this capacity, you will focus on promoting learners' educational and personal development, ensuring they can access all the opportunities available within our institution. This role not only supports their academic progression but also contributes significantly to their holistic growth. It is an extraordinary chance to join a growing team of committed individuals who are dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of young people.



This recruitment drive presents an excellent opportunity for someone who is eager to make a significant impact on student success and enhance the learning experience of our diverse student population.

Interview date - 20th August (in person)

About You
It is crucial that you collaborate across college departments and maintain strong connections with students. Your focus should be on developing individual support strategies that cater to each student's needs, while accurately recording interventions and progress.



You should hold at least Level 2 qualifications in English and Maths, alongside experience supporting 16- to 19-year-olds or adults with a wide range of learning difficulties and disabilities. This foundation will strengthen our approach and ensure we meet the necessary educational standards.


Principal accountabilities
To assist students to meet their transport arrangements, for example to and from taxis and buses.

Be committed to the safeguarding of students.

To co-ordinate the care assessment process for students with additional support needs in any area of the College.

To assist students in the use and care of educational aids and personal equipment provided by the College or outside bodies.

To provide assistance for students with learning support needs in the classroom, practical work situations and during examinations where necessary.

To provide assistance to students with additional support needs at break time and lunch time, including organising student supervision during non-taught periods of time.

To assist in the evacuation of students with additional support needs from the College buildings in an emergency situation in conjunction with other staff members.

To assist in the social integration and Well Being of students.

To provide support on College trips and work experience.

To monitor and manage the stock of learning resources, coordinating their preparation and ordering as directed by lecturing staff.

To take a full part in Learning Support Team and Programme Area Support meetings and report back to Education Support Workers and Assistants as appropriate.

To undertake all tasks in accordance with College Policy and Procedures and appropriate legislation.

To comply with the requirements of Health and Safety, other relevant legislation and College documentation.

To understand and comply with the College Equality and Diversity policy.

To undertake any other reasonable duties within the overall function, commensurate with the grading and level of responsibility of the job.

To comply with the requirements of Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults, Prevent, Health and Safety, Quality and other University policies including Equal Opportunities, Risk Management and Equality and Diversity.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

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Qualifications

English and Maths GCSE (A-C grade) or L2 Literacy and L2 Numeracy qualification or equivalent qualification
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Experience

Experience of working with students with a variety of individual learning needs Experience of working within Further Education
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Skills, knowledge & abilities

Knowledge of individual programme planning for students with individual learning Ability to communicate effectively with students and colleagues Good interpersonal skills Good organisational and administrative skills Ability to communicate effectively with students who have profound and complex learning difficulties Ability to use own initiative Ability to work effectively on one's own and within a small team Ability to ensure accurate records
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Business requirements

Completed DBS check with child barred list

Desirable Criteria

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Experience

Knowledge of Makaton or similar sign language knowledge Experience of implementing quality systems Benefits
Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata) Local Government Pension Scheme Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers Discounted onsite gym Cycle to Work scheme A flexible working environment A commitment to personal and professional development

Find out more about rewards and benefitsFind out more about rewards and benefits


Key contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Carol Heathcote, Support Lead via C.Heathcote@blc.ac.uk


For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk.


Important information#

Visa Sponsorship Eligibility

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.



Please visit visit our website for more information.


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DBS check

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.



Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.



To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.




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Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation.



We are Disability Confident Employers, demonstrating our commitment to disability inclusion, and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes.



Further, we are committed to ensuring an environment which is trans and non-binary-inclusive for all our staff, students, partners, and visitors, and continuously review our policies, guidance and training.



When applying to join the University, you can choose your preferred title, including the gender-neutral title 'Mx'. We also ask our candidates if they would like to share their preferred pronouns. This is voluntary but demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity for trans and non-binary candidates. Once employed, you can add pronouns and preferred names onto our system.



The University of Derby undertakes anonymised shortlisting during the staff recruitment process. This means that, when shortlisting, panel members will not be able to see an applicant's name and will see an applicant number instead. This demonstrates the practical steps we are taking to remove barriers to recruitment by minimising the possible impact of our unconscious bias.



However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.



For more information on equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Derby, please visit our website.





A university that celebrates you

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Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.





Environment and sustainability


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