Most LSA roles feel like you're treading water, moving from one behaviour crisis to the next with little time to actually connect with the young people you're supposed to be supporting. This is different. You'll join a specialist school where your work with students who have complex medical needs, autism and profound learning differences is genuinely valued, and where you're given the training and team support to do it well
Imagine working somewhere that doesn't just tolerate challenging behaviour, but understands it. Where a young person presenting with physical behaviours isn't a problem to manage, but a person to know deeply. That's what this role offers. You'll spend your days building trusting relationships with students who have severe and complex needs - some requiring medical interventions you'll be trained to deliver, others navigating autism or profound learning disabilities. The school's four values - Perseverance, Aspiration, Independence and Respect - aren't posters on a wall; they shape how every adult in the building works every day
You won't be solo. You'll be part of a skilled, committed team where other staff actively want to learn from your insights into individual students' needs. You'll deliver 1-2-1 and small group mentoring, design and run activities tailored to real learners, and help implement specific programmes that actually work. The curriculum is creative, the timetable is built around student need, not convenience, and you'll have time in term to build genuine momentum with the young people you support
This is a permanent, full-time role - 31.25 hours per week across the 38-week school year. It's stable work that lets you plan ahead, not the endless agency shuffle. And the school is genuinely committed to your growth; training opportunities for career development are built into how they operate, not offered as an afterthought
What you will be doing
- Deliver 1-2-1 and small group mentoring to students with complex needs, including those with PMLD, autism and challenging behaviour
- Support students requiring complex medical interventions and administer medical support as trained
- Work alongside other staff to build their knowledge of individual student needs and help implement specific support programmes
- Plan and deliver learning activities within your area, adapted to each student's abilities and communication style
- Work within the community as well as the school site, extending support beyond the classroom
Why you will love working here
- Permanent, full-time contract - no agency uncertainty, proper job security on the Isle of Wight
- Salary of £18,696 to £18,995 per annum, Hay Grade 5
- Term-time hours only (38 weeks per year) - you get the school holidays to actually rest and recharge
- Training and career development opportunities that genuinely support your growth as a learning support professional
- A team of adaptable, skilled staff who know what they're doing and actively support each other
Is this you?
- You have real, relevant experience working with students who have high needs SEND - whether that's SEMH, medical complexity, autism or challenging behaviour
- You have the resilience to keep showing up when the work is hard, and the emotional intelligence to do it without burning out
- Safeguarding is how you think, not something you do. It's at the centre of every decision you make with students
- You're willing to undertake specialist training as the role needs it - whether that's medical administration, specific behavioural approaches or anything else
Applications close on 12 October 2026. Great roles like this are filled quickly, so the sooner you apply the better.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.