Communication Support Worker

Elmfield School for Deaf Children, Bristol, Bristol, BS7 0PU

19 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  30 March 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  11 March 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Learning support or cover supervisor
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time: Various days available - Mon-Fri 8.30am-3.30pm Term time only + 5 INSET days
• Contract type: Fixed term - ASAP - 31/08/26 - with the possibility of extension
• Full-time equivalent salary: £29,064-£31,022
• Actual salary: e.g. £8,930 for 6.5h/wk, £13,395 for 13h/wk
• Pay scale: BG8:12-16
• Hourly rate: £15.06

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are looking to appoint a CSW to support Deaf students in lessons.

Elmfield is a maintained Bristol Special School for pupils aged 3-16 years which serves the Bristol and wider region. We have been consistently judged as 'Good' by Ofsted. Ofsted recognises that we are 'ambitious for pupils' and 'aspirational in our outlook'. Pupils have deafness as a primary need, some with additional Special Educational Needs, and we provide a Bilingual Deaf Education where BSL and English are used. Experience working with children with a range of additional needs will be an advantage.

Support will involve mediating and supporting language in both BSL and oral English. Staff will also support children to achieve their learning objectives through learning support, reinforcing expectations and vocabularies, and clarifying tasks.

The applicant should have:

• High expectations
• The ability to work flexibly and to use own initiative
• Experience of working within an educational environment with Deaf students
• Good spoken English skills
• Be able to develop and maintain records and liaise between teachers
• Excellent organisational skills
• A minimum of BSL Level 3 or equivalent essential
• A minimum of A-C GCSE English and Maths or equivalent essential

Prospective applicants are welcome to visit the school. Please email us at office@elmfieldschool.co.uk to arrange a convenient time and date.

What the school offers its staff

We offer a supportive induction, Continuing Professional Development and the opportunity to work within a close-knit team of professionals from the hearing and deaf communities.

All staff have access to Smart Clinic, our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), which provides:

Up to six free counselling sessions – structured counselling, CBT, online CBT, anxiety management or stress coaching from the Smart Clinic team

Up to six free physiotherapy sessions – remote and face to face physiotherapy services for support with musculoskeletal issues.

24 hour employee assistance line - access to 24h support from a trained counsellor, legal or financial specialist.

Self support and guidance - a wealth of support, guidance and self directed training programmes, supporting you with issues including anxiety, sleep issues, weight loss and stress.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Elmfield is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young children and young people and the expectation is that all staff and volunteers share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and two satisfactory references.

Applying for the job

This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Job Description-CSW.pdf - 147 KB (opens in new tab)

Employee Specification-CSW.pdf - 127 KB (opens in new tab)

About Elmfield School for Deaf Children

• School type: Special school, ages 2 to 16
• School size: 50 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 2 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Elmfield School for Deaf Children website
• Email address: amy.saunders@elmfieldschool.co.uk
• Phone number: 01179030366
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/elmfield-school-for-deaf-children

Elmfield is a small special school for deaf and hard of hearing children. The school provides a tailored learning environment designed to support the unique needs of deaf students, helping them achieve their academic, social, and emotional potential.

Arranging a visit to Elmfield School for Deaf Children

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email amy.saunders@elmfieldschool.co.uk.

School location

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