Special Support Assistant - Link Satellite

Salary:    1C/3 £22,129.31 - £23,484.36 (FTE £25,852.00.00 - £27,435.00)

Location: The Link School, Satellite Site, Lancastrian Road, Wallington, SM6 9GN

Working Pattern: 36 hours per week, Term Time Only

The Link School specialises in meeting the needs of 148 students from 4-18 with Speech, Language and Communication difficulties including autistic spectrum conditions and Pathological Demand Avoidance. In addition to the Primary and Secondary sites, it also has a satellite provision which provides a safe and nurturing environment for autistic young people who show demand avoidant profiles.

Situated in the London Borough of Sutton all three sites are easily accessible by public transport and well placed to draw upon a wide range of leisure, recreational and educational facilities having easy access to Surrey and London.

The school provides a warm, safe, friendly and nurturing environment, which helps pupils to learn, express their ideas, communicate, develop friendships and grow in confidence and self- esteem.

Staff provide pupils with an outstanding education based on strong practitioner research and the holistic curriculum offer that promotes strong personal and social education as well as cognitive development. It is a rewarding and inspirational place to work. To find out more about us visit www.thelinkschool.co.uk

We are looking to recruit Special Support Assistants to join our specialist flagship school-based satellite and outreach service for young people with ASD and Pathological Demand avoidance.

You will need a genuine belief in person centred learning with an ability to build strong relationships of trust with young people with high level anxieties as well as an ability to engage young people through their motivations and interests. It would be an advantage to have interests and skills that can be used in learner individual programmes, for example, sports, Information Technology and gaming or creative hobbies.

Do you feel you can

·        build a rapport?​

·        recognise dysregulation and mindfully offer support?​

·        offer choices?​

·        wait for and encourage initiation?​

·        interpretate behaviours as a communication?​

·        provide guidance for interpreting the feelings and opinions of others?​

·        be creative and resourceful?​

·        negotiate and suggest? ​

·        use indirect praise?

If so, then this might be the next exciting opportunity for you to explore and work with a team of like-minded colleagues who want to provide the best outcomes for our students.

Initial and on-going training to work as part of the team for these learners will be provided

Please see the attached job description and person specification for full details on the role and the skills, experience and knowledge we are looking for.

The Link School is part of Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust, an established family of specialist academies and college centres that provide for over 1500 pupils and students with a wide range of learning abilities and additional needs. To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit https://www.ohcat.org/work-for-us/

For an informal discussion about the role, candidates are invited to contact Susan Ramm via email SRamm@thelinkschool.co.uk to arrange a time to speak with Sandy Turner (Principal).

To apply for the role please use the quick apply option to submit an application.  If you have any queries, please contact SRamm@thelinkschool.co.uk

Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role.

Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.

Closing Date: Friday, 5th July 2024

Interviews will take place during the week commencing: 8th July 2024

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.