Job Description

Due to growth we are looking for the following to join our team

Learning Support Assistant

and Person Specification

Job title

: Learning Support Assistant

Place of work:

Orchard Therapeutic Farm

Hours of work

: 37.5 hours Monday to Friday Term Time Only+ inset days

Fulltime salary

19,500 - 23,809.33

Actual Salary/Grade:

14,625 - 17,857 for 39 weeks

Reports to:

Head of Centre

Level of screening:

Enhanced DBS

Who we are

OTF is an award-winning primary, secondary and post 16 alternative provision. We are a farm based alternative provision catering for young persons who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Many of the young person's attending have additional special educational needs such as neurodivergent functioning.

Places for young persons are commissioned by schools (maintained, non- maintained, SEN). We are an approved alternative provider for various local authorities, including Oxfordshire, West Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey, along with Slough and Wokingham.

Young persons who are referred to OTF have an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

We are a small nurturing therapeutic provision who focus on building trusting relationships with young persons to make steady personal success and tangible outcomes.

Where do you fit in

As a Learning Support Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting the emotional, social, and educational development of our young person's. You will provide consistent, compassionate care in a safe and structured environment, working within all Health and Safety requirements. You will act as an advocate for the Hitchcox Group, helping to create a nurturing atmosphere where young person's feel supported and empowered to succeed. Your flexibility, enthusiasm, and commitment will be key to engaging young person's in learning and therapeutic activities.

Main Duties & Accountabilities

Function as a positive role model for the children and young people at Orchard Therapeutic Farm, providing care and support rooted in structure, consistency and nurturing daily interactions. Always ensure the safety and well-being of the young persons. Be attentive and responsive to the physical and emotional needs of the young persons, providing intuitive care and support. Identify and respond to signs of stress or safeguarding concerns, monitoring, recording, and reporting as required. Encourage and promote good personal hygiene practices among the young persons. Support young persons and learning mentors/tutors in a variety of activities, including:
o Supervising and engaging in activities both on and off-site.

o Driving young person's to activities or escorting them via car or public transport. (Driving is not essential).

o Completing risk assessments for off-site activities to ensure young person safety.

Work collaboratively as part of a united staff team, offering support and maintaining responsibility when on duty. Utilise knowledge of adolescent behaviour to assess, respond, and provide appropriate guidance to young persons. Offer emotional support to young person's, guiding them sensitively through challenges and celebrating their achievements. Maintain awareness of child protection issues, always adhering to guidelines and procedures. Perform administrative tasks with accuracy, including:
o Recording daily logs and communications in electronic systems (Learntrek).

o Completing trackers, significant incident reports, physical intervention reports, and other documentation as required.

o Receive detailed and concise handovers from taxis, parents, or carers, ensuring all relevant student information is communicated to the team.

o Respect and adhere to the policies, boundaries, and procedures set by Orchard Therapeutic Farm.

o Attend staff meetings and participate in training days as required.

o Engage in formal supervision processes and reflect on practice to support professional development.

o Undertake any other duties necessary to support the lives and well-being of the young person's in your care.

What Success Looks Like

Enhancing young person's attitudes and engagement through effective interventions and confidence-building strategies.

Supporting young persons to achieve academic progress and personal growth. Contributing to the well-being and emotional resilience of young persons. Employing effective strategies to foster student engagement and participation. Maintaining clear communication with therapists, family liaisons, and other multidisciplinary team members. Supporting the setting's goals to achieve outstanding outcomes for young persons.

Safeguarding Statement

At Hitchcox Group, we take our safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously and are fully committed to promoting the welfare and safety of all children and young persons in our care. We believe that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and all staff play an essential role in ensuring that our environments are safe, supportive and inclusive.

As part of our safer recruitment practices, we will conduct appropriate pre-employment checks to ensure the suitability of all prospective employees. This includes conducting online searches on shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence process, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025 guidance.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975). Further information about the DBS process can be found at www.disclosures.co.uk.

We are committed to:

Ensuring a culture of vigilance where the welfare of children and young people is paramount. Providing a safe and caring environment that enables every child to learn and thrive. Promoting equality, inclusion, and respect for all. Ensuring all staff receive regular safeguarding and child protection training in line with current statutory guidance.

Other Information

This job description is intended as a guide to the main responsibilities and duties of the post. It is in no way intended to restrict any individual in the performance of other duties within the general nature of the post as required by the company.

This job description will be reviewed at least once per year and may be subject to amendment or modification at any time after consultation with the post holder. It is not a comprehensive statement of procedures and tasks but sets out the main expectations of the establishment in relation to the post holder's professional responsibilities, duties and grading.

Please see our website for Application Form.

Orchard Therapeutic Farm - Alternative Provision - Careers

Learning Support Assistant: Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

A relevant professional qualification (NVQ level 2)

Level 2 English and Math's.

Knowledge of working with Children with SEN

Full driving License

Outdoor Education

KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge of the statutory requirements of equal

opportunities, discrimination, health and safety, SEN & safeguarding of children.

High expectations of students' behaviour and clear strategies for working with challenging students.

Ability to motivate and encourage children appropriately

EXPERIENCE

Experience in working with children/ young people with EAL, SEN, speech and languages difficulties or other complex needs

Understanding of alternative and therapeutic interventions for student progression.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Ability to work with challenging students, understand their needs and demonstrate effective behaviour management strategies as and when required.

Ability to establish and maintain good relationships with students and staff

Ability to work with the learning mentor in planning and delivery of teaching activities (including those defined in Individual Education Plans).

OTHER

Share Hitchcox Values

Awareness of and commitment to Equality and Diversity

Flexible approach to work patterns.

Commitment to the highest possible levels of health and safety for students, staff and others.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 19,000.00-23,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension On-site parking
Application question(s):

what interested you in this role?
Experience:

Support Environment with Children: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person