Education Support Officer – Specialist Provision Centre (SPC)
Education Support Officers in Specialist Provision Centres help children and young people with moderate, severe and complex needs to learn, develop and take part in school life. Learners may have learning disabilities, physical or sensory needs, or social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Working under the guidance of teachers and the SPC Manager, you would support learning, personal care and wellbeing, helping each learner become as independent as possible. Support may take place within the centre, across the wider school and during offsite activities.
Day-to-day tasks
In this role you could:
- Support learners individually or in small groups with activities planned by teachers.
- Adapt learning activities to suit each learner’s needs and responses.
- Help learners develop communication, social and everyday life skills.
- Encourage positive behaviour, build confidence and support distressed learners.
- Assist with personal care, hygiene and medical needs, following appropriate training and competency assessments.
- Help develop and follow individual education, behaviour, support and care plans.
- Prepare learning materials and specialist equipment, and support the use of technology.
- Record learners’ progress and share feedback with teachers and the SPC Manager.
- Build supportive relationships with parents, carers and other professionals.
- Accompany learners on school visits and offsite activities.
- Follow safeguarding procedures and report concerns about a learner’s safety or wellbeing.
Skills & knowledge
You'll need:
- A warm, approachable manner and empathy for children and young people.
- Clear spoken and written communication skills.
- The ability to build respectful relationships with learners, families and colleagues.
- An understanding of how to support children with complex learning and support needs.
- The ability to encourage participation, independence and positive behaviour.
- Good teamwork skills and an understanding of your role within the school.
- Organisation skills and the ability to prioritise your workload.
- Flexibility, adaptability and the confidence to use your initiative.
- A commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities.
- A willingness to learn, reflect on your work and complete further training.
- The physical ability to carry out the duties of the role.
Industry Qualifications
For the local Level 2 Education Support Officer role described, you would need GCSE English and Maths at grades 4–9 (A*–C), or the specified Level 2 equivalents in communication and application of number, or Functional Skills English and Mathematics.
A Teaching Assistant NVQ Level 2 or equivalent is desirable. Examples include a Level 2 Certificate for Teaching Assistants or a Children’s Care, Learning and Development NVQ Level 2. A relevant higher-level qualification may also be suitable.
Experience of working with children or young people of the relevant age is essential. Experience supporting personal care needs or learners with autism and significant communication or behavioural challenges can be helpful.
You would undertake safeguarding training and any specialist training required for the learners you support. Medical care duties require completion of the relevant training and competency assessments.
A satisfactory police check is required.