JOB DESCRIPTION – LEARNING SUPPORT ASSISTANT (Level 2)
SALARY RANGE: Local Government Workers Scale – GS3 (points 5–6) 26 hours per week during the 39 school term weeks and INSET days.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: In accordance with national and local supplementary conditions of employment for Gwynedd Council for G.P.T.C. staff and manual workers.
Working Days: To be agreed.
Working Hours: 26 hours per week during school term only.
Notice Period: One month in writing.
RESPONSIBLE TO: Additional Learning Needs Coordinator – for general support.
 
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:
Work under the direction and guidance of teachers and/or members of the school management team.
Support individuals and groups of pupils to enable access to learning.
Assist the teacher in managing pupils within and beyond the classroom.
 
MAIN DUTIES
• Support for Pupils
• Supervise and provide special support for pupils, including those with Additional Learning Needs, ensuring their safety and access to learning activities.
• Assist with learning and development of all pupils, including implementing Individual Education/Behaviour Plans and Personal Care programmes – including toileting, feeding, and mobility.
• After training, administer medication in accordance with ALN and school procedures and policies.
• Promote inclusion and acceptance of all pupils.
• Encourage pupils to interact with others and join activities under teacher guidance.
• Set challenging and stretching expectations and promote self-esteem and independence.
• Under teacher guidance, provide feedback to pupils regarding progress and achievement.
• Apply strategies to encourage independence and self-confidence.
• Provide effective feedback to pupils on programmes and identify and reward achievement.
• Support for the Teacher
• Provide detailed and regular feedback to teachers on achievement, progress, pupil issues, etc.
• Liaise with the teacher to create a purposeful, organised, and supportive learning environment.
• Share short-term planning and specific learning objectives for identified groups, individuals, and whole class.
• Monitor pupil responses to learning activities and maintain records as requested.
• Establish procedures to ensure regular and effective feedback to the teacher regarding pupil progress towards learning targets.
• Apply school policy to promote positive behaviour and attitudes towards learning.
• Administer routine tests and supervise examinations.
• Carry out clerical and administrative tasks as requested, e.g., photocopying, collecting money, filing, administering coursework, distributing letters to parents.
Support for the Curriculum
• Undertake structured and agreed learning activities/teaching programmes.
• Implement programmes linked to local and national learning strategies, e.g., literacy, numeracy, early years, assessment for learning.
• Support the use of ICT in learning activities and develop pupils’ competence and independence in its use.
• Prepare, maintain, and use equipment/resources required to meet lesson plans/learning activities and assist pupils in their use.
• Communicate sensitively and effectively with parents/carers as agreed with the teacher.
• Participate in meetings with parents and contribute to annual reviews in line with school practice.
Support for the School
• Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to inclusion, child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting concerns to the appropriate person.
 
• Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the school, including the Welsh Curriculum.
• Appreciate and support the role of other professionals.
• Attend relevant meetings and participate as requested.
• Take part in training and other learning activities and performance development as requested.
• Assist with supervision of pupils outside lesson times, including before and after school and at lunchtime.
• Accompany teaching staff and pupils on visits, trips, and out-of-school activities as requested and take responsibility for a group under teacher supervision.
Other Equivalent Development
• Occasionally undertake other similar duties as requested by the Headteacher and/or ALN Coordinator.
 
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND IN-SERVICE TRAINING
The school supports the professional development of all staff through an in-service training programme.
Training for the Assistant will mainly be available through:
• attending county courses
• attending internal school courses
• shadowing and working with other staff
• mentoring by the ALN Coordinator.
 
OTHER SPECIFIC DUTIES
Comply with the school’s health and safety policy and risk assessments as required.
 
NOTE:
While every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, not all individual tasks may be listed.
This job description does not form part of the employment contract.
The post holder is expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level not specified in this job description.
 
The school will make every effort to implement reasonable adjustments to the role and working environment to enable access to employment opportunities for disabled applicants or continued employment for staff who develop a disabling condition.
This job description is current at the date shown but may be changed by the manager, following consultation, to reflect or anticipate changes in the role commensurate with the salary/allowance and job title.