Communication Support Worker

Aquinas is a thriving Catholic Sixth Form College in Stockport with over 2000 FTE students. The college wishes to appoint to the following post to start as soon as possible: 

Communication Support Worker (fixed-term contract) to provide communication support to learners who are Deaf, enabling them to actively access and effectively participate in the College provision, and to support students with learning difficulties and disabilities to access the curriculum, develop their skills and succeed on their courses. 

15 hrs per week (across 4/5 days) term time

£22.28 per hour (including holiday pay)

Employee Benefits

·        Competitive salary

• Up to 35 days annual leave including Public Holidays
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Family Leave arrangements
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme

We are seeking to appoint a qualified Communication Support Worker to join our successful Learning Support Team. An understanding of disability and learning difficulty is required. The post will involve working primarily with individual students who are Deaf, enabling them to actively access and effectively participate in the College provision, and to support students with learning difficulties and disabilities to facilitate their learning and participation in college life. This support will be on courses at Level 2 and Level 3 A Level/BTEC.

The Learning Support Team at Aquinas currently comprises:

·        Head of Department

·        Three full time Learning Support Teachers

·        One part-time Admin Assistant

·        Several Learning Support Assistants 

The number of Learning Support Assistants varies from year to year, depending on the needs of the students. The team is located on the first floor of the Learning Centre, where the accommodation includes a small classroom, five smaller rooms for one-to-one support, a quiet study area and the team office. 

The Learning Support team supports students with an identified need: for example, a physical disability, a mental or physical health problem, a sensory impairment, a specific learning difficulty or autism, across all mainstream courses in the college. Most of our students are on A Level or Level 3 BTEC courses. Some of these students have Educational and Health Care Plans. 

The type and level of support is set up following discussion with the student in response to individual needs. One-to-one support sessions and small group sessions are delivered by the Learning Support Teachers and in-class support is provided by Learning Support Assistants. 

All members of the team are involved in supporting transition to college and progression from college, in providing special exam access arrangements and in meeting the support needs of students on a day-to-day basis, including support over lunch time and around college. Accurate record-keeping is a key aspect of the role of all team members, as is communication with other college staff, to ensure a whole college approach to ensuring the success of students with support needs.

Feedback from focus groups and surveys is very positive and student satisfaction rates are consistently high. Students find the team approachable and helpful and say that the support they receive makes an enormous difference.

The above appointment will be made on the Sixth Form Colleges’ Association (SFCA) Support Staff Pay Scale, as specified. Candidates must be innovative, enthusiastic and must meet the appropriate person specification. 

As a College committed to equal opportunities, we positively welcome applications from all sections of the community. The College and all its personnel are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to a Disclosure Application of the appropriate level, to the Disclosure and Barring Service. Also, as part of due diligence the college will carry out an online search on any shortlisted candidate.

Applicants must complete the college’s application form, and a pack is available on our website https://www.aquinas.ac.uk/about-aquinas-college/vacancies/ alternatively by email recruitment@aquinas.ac.uk

Closing date for completed applications 9.00am (morning) Thursday 19th September 2024 

Benefits:

·        Additional leave

• Bereavement leave
• Canteen
• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted or free food
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Free flu jabs
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site gym
• On-site parking
• Sabbatical
• Sick pay

Shift: daytime

Work days: Monday to Friday 

Education: A-Level or equivalent (required) and level 3 British Sign Language (required)