Lead Learning Support Practitioner

As a Lead Learning Support Practitioner, you will manage a team of Learning Support Practitioners (LSP’s) to provide innovative holistic support and safeguarding for all students. In your role you will also be responsible for overseeing the management and co-ordination of in class and out of class support across all vocational areas and to work with schools to ensure that students have a smooth transition experience.

As a Lead you may need to oversee the health requirements of students with profound medical and physical needs in the department, meeting with schools, liaising with relevant professionals, ensuring the appropriate therapeutic support is in place and overseeing health care plans.

The role requires knowledge of Safeguarding as well as developing risk assessments and behaviour support plans for complex and vulnerable students. The post holder will be working alongside the students, families, and professionals to ensure all aspects are addressed.They will be assessing the potential needs of applicants including undertaking the annual reviews for the students EHCPs. Consequently, a working knowledge of Education and Health Care Plans (ECHPs) is also a necessity.

The ideal candidate will also have experience with supporting young people with challenging behaviour and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties, recognising proactive strategies to help our students self-manage behaviours where possible and potentially prevent negative incidents from occurring.

The successful candidate will have experience using a wide range of communication methods/aids to support learning and develop independence, for example Makaton, visual aids, and symbol support.

It is vital that the successful candidate also understands the importance of recording and updating information using the correct protocols and communicating any necessary information to the appropriate people. You will also ensure the dignity of the student is always maintained whilst adhering to data protection legislation.

Commitment to Safeguarding

EKC Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and we ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibilities for upholding these principles. The Group’s designation as a ‘designated establishment’ means that all posts within EKC Group are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. We therefore have an obligation to carry out robust checks to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults; applicants are therefore advised that appropriate safeguarding checks (including an enhanced DBS check) will be undertaken on all successful applicants; job offers will be made on the basis of satisfactory DBS and other checks, including the receipt of two references. If you are successful in obtaining an interview, your suitability to work with children and vulnerable adults will be explored as part of the interview process. Applicants should note that it is a criminal offence to apply for a post which involves engaging in regulated activity relevant to children if you are barred from doing so. All applicants are required to complete and submit a self-declaration of their criminal record or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children and vulnerable adults.

Commitment to Equal Opportunities

EKC Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all members of our communities. We are particularly keen to increase the diversity of our staff body and encourage applications from candidates where there is underrepresentation in our workforce. We are proud to hold the Positive About Disability Award; this confirms our commitment to interviewing all applicants who declare that they have a disability and who meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification. Similarly, our commitment to Care Leavers means that we will interview applicants who meet the minimum criteria and who have declared on their application that they are a Care Leaver.

We welcome applications from anyone wishing to work flexibly and those considering a return to work from a career break.