EYFS SEND Learning Support Assistant

Northern Saints Church of England Academy, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR5 5QL

13 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  1st September 2026

• Closing date

  2 June 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  12 May 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £25,583.00 - £25,989.00 Annually (FTE) £21,907 - £22,254 pro rata

EYFS SEND Learning Support Assistant job summary

Duties and Responsibilities:

Support for pupils

• Supervise and provide support for pupils ensuring their safety and access to appropriate learning activities. The different types of SEN that pupils have may include ASD, ADHD, SEMH, MLD and PMLD, SLC.

• Supervise and provide support for the pupils , ensuring their safety and access to indoor and outdoor playtimes. To support the pupil in the playground, being mindful of their health and safety in relation to any medical conditions and encourage safe interactive play. Motivate and encourage the pupil to have a go at activities they may be unsure of. Provide positive reinforcements, praise and rewards

• Establish a constructive relationship with all pupils and interact with them according to their individual needs.

• Encourage the pupils to interact with others and engage in activities led by the teacher or learning support assistant

• Set challenging and demanding expectations and promote self-esteem and independence

• To provide intimate care when required  

• Assist with the supervision of pupils out of lesson times, including breakfast club and after school club within directed hours.

• Support across the school with lunchtimes when required

• Use specific strategies, in liaison with the teacher, to support a specific pupil or a small group of pupils to achieve learning goals, in line with the school teaching policy.

• Support the work of the Specialist Advisors and other professionals through modelling and implementation of the advice and strategies recommended.

Support for the teacher and the curriculum

• Create and maintain a purposeful, organised and supportive learning environment in line with lesson plans, including assisting with the display of pupils’ work in the environment or to share with parents.

• Assist with the planning of learning activities, setting up of environment daily and changeover of topics. Demonstrate initiative by recognising when the learning environment can be enhanced, setting up appropriate resources and activities to support pupils’ needs and interests.

• Prepare, maintain and use equipment/resources required to meet the lesson plans/relevant learning activity and assist pupils in their use.

• Monitor pupil’s responses to learning activities and accurately collect evidence, record achievement and progress as directed by the class teacher.

• Assist with the implementation of EHCP/Individual Learning Plans/Behaviour Management Plans or similar, feeding back progress to class teacher and gathering evidence for Tapestry.

• Promote positive pupil behaviour, managing conflicts and incidents promptly in accordance with school policy, and encouraging pupils to take responsibility for their actions.

• Deliver targeted programmes linked to the curriculum and learning strategies (e.g. phonics and maths), providing feedback to class teachers on pupil progress.

• Build and maintain positive, constructive relationships with pupils, families and colleagues to support pupil development and uphold the school’s ethos and vision.

• Ensure all school policies are consistently followed, upheld and promoted.

• Ensure pupils, including individuals or small groups, have appropriate access to learning resources and implement these where necessary.

• Support staff and pupils during school trips, taking responsibility for individuals or groups and adhering to relevant school policies and procedures.

Training & Development

• Participate in training, learning activities and performance development as required.

• Actively engage in training sessions, meetings and professional learning opportunities to support school priorities and enhance personal development.

• Attend and contribute to relevant staff and phase meetings as required

Families & Safeguarding

• Committed to working with the staff team to ensure the highest levels of safeguarding are upheld at all times.

• Understand and apply the school policies on learning and behaviour and the statutory guidelines relating to disability discrimination and special educational needs 

• To report any safeguarding concerns to the Senior Designated Person in line with the school’s

safeguarding policies.

• To adhere to all safeguarding policies, practices and expectations including online safety.

Professional Conduct

• Maintain a positive, nurturing and enthusiastic attitude, creating a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for all children.

• Use encouraging and respectful language at all times to promote children’s confidence, self-esteem and wellbeing.

• Be aware of and support difference and ensure all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop

• Model positive behaviour and attitudes, including kindness, patience and resilience, both in the classroom and around the school.

• Build strong, positive relationships with pupils, staff and families, contributing to a collaborative and inclusive school community.

• Approach all situations with a solution-focused and proactive mindset, supporting a calm and constructive environment.

  The Academy within the Trust is committed to safeguarding staff and students and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced Disclosing and Barring Service DBS check. All interviews will include a question about Safeguarding and any anomalies identified in pre-recruitment checks will be discussed at interview.

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

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Northern Saints Church of England Academy

• School type: Academies, Church of England, ages 4 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 455 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Northern Saints Church of England Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/northern-saints-church-of-england-academy

School location

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