Support Assistant
• 💰Salary: £10,290 Actual / £25,343 FTE
• 🕒Hours: 18 hours per week / 38 weeks per year
• 🕒Working pattern: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday / 8:50am – 15:10
• 📍Location: Newbury College Campus
• 📅Closing date: 27th September 2026
Could you help learners with additional needs overcome barriers, access learning and reach their individual goals? We are excited to offer this opportunity for a patient and supportive Foundation Learning Support Assistant to join our team.
About the role:
As a Foundation Learning Support Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting learners with a wide range of additional needs to access education, develop independence and achieve their individual goals. Working closely with the Team Leader’s, Tutors, Curriculum Manager and the wider Foundation Learning team, you will provide support on a one-to-one and small group basis, helping learners engage in lessons, build confidence and make progress towards their learning targets and EHCP outcomes.
This is a rewarding and varied role where no two days are the same. You will support learners both in and outside the classroom, assist with personal care where required, help implement individual support plans, and contribute to creating a positive, inclusive and supportive learning environment. We are looking for someone who is caring, patient, and resilient, with a genuine passion for helping young people overcome barriers and reach their full potential.
We are looking for someone who is:
• 🌱 Passionate about supporting young people with additional needs to reach their full potential.
• 🤝 Caring, patient and able to build positive relationships with learners, families and colleagues.
• 🌟 Resilient and adaptable, with the confidence to support learners with a range of needs and behaviours.
• 👥 A supportive team player who enjoys working collaboratively with others.
• 📚 Committed to helping learners achieve their individual goals and make progress in their learning.
• ✅ Organised, reliable and able to maintain accurate records and follow procedures.
• 🎯 Empathetic and positive, with a genuine desire to make a difference every day.
Why join us?
Join a dedicated and supportive team that is passionate about making a real difference to the lives of young people with additional needs. At Newbury College, you'll have the opportunity to develop your skills through ongoing training and CPD, work alongside experienced colleagues and specialists, and play a key role in helping learners grow in confidence, independence and achievement. Every day brings new challenges, rewarding experiences and the chance to positively impact a learner's future.
About Newbury College and University Centre Newbury:
We are a dynamic further and higher education institution located in the heart of West Berkshire, recognised for our forward-thinking approach and commitment to student success. Our campus is a hub of creativity and innovation, and our mission is "creating opportunities to transform lives", which we achieve through unparalleled support for our students and ongoing professional development for our staff. By joining us, you will be part of a team dedicated to making a significant impact in the community.
What we offer:
Financial Benefits:
• Competitive salary reflective of experience and commitment to educational excellence
• Local Government Pension Scheme
Health and Wellness:
• Occupational Sick Pay Scheme
• Occupational Maternity Pay Scheme
• On-site gym membership at an annual fee of £20
• Wellbeing support through an Employee Assistance Scheme and other activities and facilities
• Free Annual Flu Jab
Professional Development:
• Development opportunities through workshops, training, and courses
• Professional development tailored to further qualifications and career advancement
Work-Life Balance:
• Term time only working
• Flexible working options to ensure a healthy balance between professional and personal life
Campus Amenities and Discounts:
• Free onsite parking
• Access to a corporate discount scheme
• Discounts on hair and beauty treatments at the Newbury College salon
• Good value food and drink at the Street Café
• Discounted childcare at the on-site nursery for staff (operated by a third party)
• Staff recognition awards; celebrating the excellence in all we do
• Staff Summer Event
Criteria:
Essential criteria:
• Level 2 English and Maths.
• Working or personal experience of supporting young people with additional needs.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with learners, parents/carers and colleagues.
• Empathetic, patient and caring approach to supporting others.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Basic IT skills and good attention to detail.
Desirable criteria:
• Level 2 Health and Social Care qualification.
• Experience within healthcare, social care, domiciliary care or childcare settings.
• Manual Handling, Care Certificate or Positive Behaviour Support training.
• Experience supporting individuals with complex learning needs and/or autism.
• Level 2 Functional IT qualification.
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.
If you are excited about the prospect of making a significant impact on our students’ careers in our role of Support Assistant, we would love to hear from you.
We understand that no candidate will perfectly match every qualification or criterion listed. If your experience differs from what we've outlined but you believe you can contribute to this role, we encourage you to apply!
If you're interested in this position, please apply below or send your CV to recruitment @newbury-college.ac.uk as an expression of interest. Please note that applications must be submitted through our website.
Safer Recruitment
At Newbury College we are committed to following Safer Recruitment Guidelines
• Pre – Recruitment Process: Candidates will be subject to an online search. Applications must be completed in full with a complete employment history (With any gaps reasoned) and qualifications listed. Incomplete applications will not be submitted for shortlisting.
• Interview Stage: Candidates will be required to provide Right to Work documentation and an overseas check/Code of conduct certificate (if applicable), any convictions must be declared and consent to obtain a DBS Certificate and PLR Record will be requested .
• Successful Candidates: A share code will be required for Non-British citizens and further documents may be needed. A barred list check will be carried out. We also require a minimum of 2 references and an Enhanced DBS check
Safeguarding Statement
Our college is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.
We value and embrace diversity, recognising the contribution individuals from different backgrounds can bring to our organisation. We are ‘Disability Confident Committed’ and expect all our employees to share this commitment. We are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all appointments are subject to satisfactory clearances including enhanced DBS checks.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the set closing date if we receive a good level of applicants. To avoid disappointment, we would advise that you complete your application in full, rather than saving and returning to complete at a later date.