Learning Support Specialist

To contribute to achieving excellence in supporting students through innovative and excellent practice. You will be expected to assess and support students of all ages with a wide range of learning difficulties and/or disabilities (moderate learning difficulties, physical/mental/ sensory/specific learning difficulties/disabilities to name a few). You will be expected to draft a comprehensive support action plan which will guide teachers and support staff in meeting the needs of individual learners. The purpose of support is to remove barriers to learning and access, improving participation and achievements, fostering confidence and independence among students.

You will be expected to support students at all levels, from Level 1 through to Level 4, and offer effective and consistent support to enable students to reach their potential.

Responsible to: Head of Additional Learning Support

Key Responsibilities

•  To contribute fully to the mission and values statement of the College ensuring its effective implementation in all aspects of college life
• To contribute to the College and Department’s strategic objectives and to actively engage in the annual review
• To be aware of the developments in subject area and update knowledge and skills on an annual basis
• To have a good knowledge of the impact of various learning difficulties/disabilities on students learning and have a good track record of assessing and meeting those needs.
• To deliver high quality support in order to achieve effective participation of assigned students in the learning process
•  Plan and use a range of effective and appropriate support techniques to engage and motivate students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and encourage independence and autonomy
• Establish a purposeful and motivating learning environment where students feel safe, secure, confident and valued
•  Establish and maintain professional relationship with students which promote and maintain appropriate behaviour, communication and respect for others, while challenging discriminatory behaviour and attitudes
• To make arrangements for access to initial assessments/interviews
•  To undertake assessment of support needs.
•  to undertake learning support duties as per timetable
• To maintain records of delivered support to ensure quality assurance
• To liaise effectively with appropriate external agencies as and when required 
•  To monitor students’ progress and attendance in receipt of support and report concerns to team leader where necessary
•  Liaise with tutors to ensure students are being effectively supported and that all identified differentiation strategies are being implemented as specified in the learning support action plan.
• Liaise with Team Leader and Progress Leaders to identify areas of concern regarding students pastoral and academic needs
• Assist students with personal care as/when appropriate
• To be aware of external/internal assessment procedures and to play and appropriate part in their 
• Implementation (e.g., supporting exams in the capacity of invigilators, prompters, readers/scribes)
• Evaluate and improve own communication skills to maximise effective communication and overcome barriers
• To liaise with line manager in contributing to the administration necessary to support the business needs of the Department and the College
• To encourage students on your case load to attend Math and English sessions and report concerns to relevant senior staff
• To review own professional development needs and to participate fully in future training and development
•  To communicate and consult with parents, carers and students including Parent’s Evening, Welcome Evenings, other events and open evenings.
• To ensure that all students on your timetable comply with College’s policies and procedures
•  All employees have a responsibility to carry out the duties of the post in line with the new public sector equality duty and our commitment to promote and advance equality of opportunity within the college.

Generic Duties: 

•  To contribute fully to the mission and values statement of the College Group ensuring its effective implementation in all aspects of College life. 
•  To take proactive responsibility for Health & Safety to ensure that a safe working environment and safe working practices are maintained at all times. 
• To comply with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
•  To support cross college actives as required in particular the key enrolment and invigilation periods.
• Carry out any other relevant and appropriate duties as determined by the needs of the service and as appropriate to the grade.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential: 

• Educated to Level 2 in English and Math 
•  Level 3 qualification or above in a related field. Note: consideration may be given to equivalent experience with a willingness to work towards a relevant qualification in line with this criteria but preference will be given to those with an existing qualification.
•  Excellent computer literacy – ability to use the current IT programs of the College
• Experience of assessing students’ needs in educational setting 
• Proven relevant experience of supporting students in an educational setting 
• Knowledge and understanding of disabilities and/or learning difficulties 
• High level of communication and interpersonal skills 
• Excellent customer service skills 
• Engaged in Continuing Professional Development 
• Ability to set high standards for students, colleagues and for themselves 

Desirable: 

• An ICT qualification 

Benefits

• Generous annual leave: 50 days, plus bank holidays and extra days for closures.
• Family-friendly policies: Flexible working, maternity/paternity pay, dependent's leave, adoption leave, compassionate/bereavement leave, and a career break scheme
•  Competitive salaries: We offer the highest in Further Education in the City Region.

About The City of Liverpool College

The City of Liverpool College is the largest further education college in the Liverpool City Region. With more than 600 members of staff, hundreds of courses, five campuses and over 10,000 students, we are at the forefront of education in our region. 

We proudly scored GOOD in our 2024 OFSTED inspection, with several areas graded outstanding. Ofsted described our student experience as “transformative and life-enhancing”. 

We’re committed to supporting every student to achieve and progress with the skills and expertise they need for their next step. We couldn’t do this without the people who make this happen every day – our brilliant staff.