Job Description

Thomas Wolsey Ormiston Academy

Address:

Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 6SG

Salary:

24,796 (pro rata)

2 posts

Hours:

32.5 hours per week, 39 weeks per year, term time plus 1 week, 8.45am -3.45pm Monday - Friday

Contract:

Permanent. Required as soon as possible

Reference:

7823

Reports to Lead SSA and Class Teachers.




The Special Support Assistant works under the direction of the class teacher to help them deliver well-paced, well-resourced, engaging lessons. You may work with the whole class or deliver small group or personalised interventions. You will work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams to meet diverse and often complex educational, health, physical and emotional needs of the children. You will need to interpret situations and respond appropriately, in accordance with school policy and procedures, knowing when to take initiative and when to follow instruction.

Key responsibilities:

To ensure best learning outcomes for pupils by:

using and supporting a total communication approach, including Signing facilitate the use of AAC (alternative and augmentative communication) ensuring hi-tech devices are accessible, charged and programmed ensuring low-tech communication means are appropriate and ready for use liaising with SALT and SCARC around personalised therapeutic goals ensuring pupils have optimum access for learning through specialist software and hardware delivering occupational therapy exercises ensuring optimum positioning for learning accompanying pupils on educational visits supporting learning through play in outdoor areas offering full support as required for the delivery of therapeutic interventions such as swimming and physical activity, e.g. Rebound Therapy supporting with recording of assessment and achievement as directed by the teacher, including any electronic platforms used building specialist pedagogical knowledge (the methods and theory of teaching) contributing to personalised goal setting through the EHCP and learning map targets supporting the implementation of specialist approaches to learning, e.g. TACPAC supporting pupils to be as independent as possible, this includes providing regular opportunities for them to learn to be self-reliant

To ensure all care needs are fully met for optimum comfort and development by:

supporting with intimate care if needed assisting with feeding according to need, i.e. oral or tube administering medication delivering postural management programmes looking after children when they are unwell meeting the emotional needs of children and looking after their well-being following any behaviour support plans or social, emotional interventions.

To ensure pupils are fully Safeguarded at all times by:

keeping up to date with Safeguarding policy and practice being vigilant to any indicators that may suggest a concern following school policy and practice in the reporting of all concerns ensuring all 'black folder' paperwork relating to individuals has been read and understood.

To ensure the environment is well-maintained and supports an engagement in learning by:

keeping indoor and outdoor spaces tidy and well-resourced ensuring all equipment and resources are hygienic, well-maintained and fit for purpose supporting with the mounting of displays setting up engaging learning spaces appropriate to the needs of the children, e.g. sensory dens, tuff trays, book corners support with preparations for learning as directed by the class teacher.

To contribute towards building and maintaining a positive workplace culture through:

sharing skills and knowledge with colleagues, especially new and less experienced staff and other stakeholders (such as students) taking responsibility to communicate effectively with colleagues and seek further information where needed taking responsibility for their own professional development attending and contributing constructively to all required meetings and training working flexibly across school as directed, where need is greatest taking responsibility for their own health, well-being and physical fitness so they are able to be fully alert and responsive to the needs of our children ensuring they follow all health and safety policy and practice, (such as moving and handling guidance, cyber security etc) and maintain a high standard of hygiene at all times (such as wearing correct PPE) finding solutions to challenges and problems as they arise maintaining appropriate levels of confidentiality recognising the diverse and unique nature of our school community and demonstrating appropriate levels of respect and empathy.



The duties and responsibility of any post may change from time to time and post holders may be expected to carry out other work not explicitly mention ed above which is considered to be appropriate to the level of responsibility vest in the post.

Qualifications and training

Essential:

C grade/level 4 or equivalent in Maths and English

Desirable:

Level 2 or above in other relevant area, e.g. childcare

Experience

Essential:

Working with or caring for children, preferably with some form of SEND

Desirable

: Previous teaching and learning roles in education settings, previous care roles, especially with children, safeguarding duties and responsibilities in education settings.

Knowledge and skills

Essential

: Competency in IT, Organisational skills and Teamwork

Desirable:

Knowledge of specialist approaches to teaching and learning


Specialist knowledge and skills such as gastro-feeds, moving and handling, alternative and augmentative communication methods, (e.g. BSL, Makaton) and First aid.

Personal qualities

Essential: A genuine interest in working with children with additional needs, a willingness to learn new skills, flexibility and adaptability, integrity, honesty and professionalism, empathy, understanding and patience, strength and stamina, the ability to take initiative as required and the ability to follow instructions as required.


Desirable: Creativity, common sense and kindness.

How to apply

To apply, please visit

our website

Closing date: 9 am, 29 September 2025.

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. It is also subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and children's barred list check. Our commitment to safeguarding is underpinned by robust processes and checks which are in place across the school.