Term dates for the College and University Centre academic year 2024/2025 are now available online.
who are learning support assistants?
Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) generally work providing in-class support to students with special educational needs and disabilities across a range of subjects from Progression Pathways and vocational courses to A Levels. The role can be challenging but extremely rewarding and provides opportunities to develop yourself along with excellent benefits and competitive rates.
We can offer flexible working hours to fit around your commitments. We are looking for staff to commit to a minimum of three days a week from 8.30am - 4.30pm. There are also opportunities to work for five days a week.
You would be contracted to work for 38 weeks of the year, leaving you with the holidays to pursue your other interests, or meet your other commitments. If you are looking for a job that gives you the school holidays, then this is a job that would suit your lifestyle
what we offer
- As well as specific training for the role, including Makaton, MAPA, Man Hand we run a 4-week induction programme to help you get used to your new role.
- An experienced Learning Support Assistant to act as your mentor.
- Five staff development days, with specific training sessions for support staff.
- Support from a team, who understand what it’s like to join a new organisation.
The most rewarding aspect you will have working here, is the privilege of being part of some amazing young people’s journey. You will learn from them, they all bring something special and at the end of each day you will be looking forward to seeing what the next day will bring.
Current Progression Pathways LSA
make a difference to young people
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Truro and Penwith College is looking for staff who get a sense of achievement from helping young people and adult learners reach their goals in life. We are passionate about developing our staff and previous experience of working in education is not needed. You just need an interest in working with young people and adult learners, and to be passionate about promoting lifelong learning. We are seeking Learning Support Assistants with experience of life and who can be great role models for our students.
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the skills you need
There are two types of learning support assistant roles at the College. Our Progression Pathways LSAs specialise in the areas of profound and multiple learning difficulties, Autism, severe and moderate learning difficulties, sensory processing difficulties and working with disengaged learners whilst our Mainstream LSAs specialise in supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities in class, in a range of subjects from Progression Pathways, vocational courses and A Levels to Higher Education courses.
Over and above the basic requirements of literacy and numeracy, the character of the learning support assistant is most important. As a role that requires the ability to gain the trust and confidence of teenagers and young adults who have often experienced some difficulty in their life, whether that is physical, learning or social difficulties that affect their development, a learning support assistant must have the right personality and to be able to recognise the potential in everyone.
Why not volunteer first? If you feel that you are interested in this role but would like to try it out on a voluntary basis for up to six weeks, then this is also possible. You just need to make that clear on the application form, or at interview.
the roles we offer
The Progression Pathways department specialises in the areas of profound and multiple learning difficulties, Autism, severe and moderate learning difficulties, sensory processing difficulties and working with disengaged learners. There are 3 programmes of study in Progression Pathways and LSAs will support students across all three.
Your work would depend on the students individual needs, but would usually involve:
- Helping with work under the supervision of the lecturer.
- Preparing learning materials.
- Encouraging students to be confident and independent.
- Helping students understand instructions.
- Carrying out a students' care plan.
- Encouraging students to communicate by giving information.
- Supporting students during social activities and outings.
- Helping students during therapy sessions.
- Recognising when students are upset.
- Looking after students physical needs and personal hygiene and administering medicine.
- Keeping records and writing witness statements.
We are looking for staff with: patience, a good sense of humour, a caring outlook, a willingness to be proactive, and someone who is a good communicator.
To find out more information about the course visit our Progression Pathways page.
The Learning Services Support & Transition Department involves supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities in class, in a range of subjects from Progression Pathways, vocational courses and A Levels to Higher Education courses.
Your work would depend on the students individual needs, but would usually involve:
- To support students in all aspects of college life either in small groups or on 1:1.
- To enable students equal access to lessons.
- To support students to achieve individual targets.
- To liaise with teaching staff to ensure student access to lessons and feedback on student progress.
- Assist student in the use of special classroom equipment and teaching aids as required.
- To assist on any excursions or extra-curricular activities, these may also be residential.
- To assist as necessary with all aspects of students’ personal needs, ranging from help with transport to toileting requirements.
- To help with students’ personal hygiene and undertake any necessary cleaning.
- We are looking for staff with: patience, a good sense of humour, a caring outlook, a willingness to be proactive, and someone who is a good communicator.
- This role is about unlocking student’s potential and gently pushing them to go the extra mile.
- You must have a grade C in GCSE Maths and English (or an equivalent qualification).
If you would like to find our more about our LSA roles please contact for an informal discussion:
Roland Bray, Learning Services DTL: 01872 308412
Katherine Hall, Progression Pathways PTL : 01872 267038
