Most support roles in education feel like you're just helping from the sidelines. This is different. You'll be working with young adults aged 16 to 25 with complex needs and autism at a college that actually puts students at the heart of everything, breaking down real barriers to learning and watching lives genuinely change. If you've got the patience, warmth and commitment to support young people to reach their potential, this could be the role that makes you feel like your work truly matters
Picture yourself in a multidisciplinary team where your contribution is valued and visible. You'll be supporting students in learning environments you won't find anywhere else: swimming and hydrotherapy in the college's purpose-built pool, on residential courses, in therapy and leisure facilities, and in everyday classrooms. Every day is genuinely different, and every student's journey is unique. You're not just delivering tasks; you're removing barriers and facilitating real change
The team here includes teachers, speech and language therapists, educational psychologists and other assistants who all share one mission: helping young people with additional needs learn and thrive at their own pace. You'll be trained in supporting the full range of needs including communication systems, personal care, mobility, eating and drinking, and medication. The college invests heavily in your development with comprehensive CPD opportunities and apprenticeship qualifications available
This is term-time work over 39 weeks a year (Monday 08:30-16:00, Tuesday to Friday 08:30-15:15), which means real work-life balance. You'll be part of an employer that genuinely cares: generous pension contributions rising with service, enhanced family leave, free weekly yoga, Mental Health First Aiders, an Employee Assistance Programme, and a real living wage commitment. Long service is rewarded with cash gifts and extra holiday
What you will be doing
- Provide day-to-day support and guidance to young adults, removing barriers to their learning and facilitating transitions along their educational journey
- Support students across all learning contexts including the college pool (swimming and hydrotherapy), therapy facilities, leisure activities and residential courses, assisting under the direction of session leaders
- Support students with communication systems, personal care, mobility, eating and drinking, and medication administration (subject to training and supervision)
- Contribute to planning, recording and evidencing progression using the college's systems, and participate actively in planning and review processes
- Maintain accurate records and liaise with families, carers and other professionals while respecting confidentiality
Why you will love working here
- Starting salary of £21,101.62 (pro-rated for 39 weeks term time only), with the full-time equivalent being £26,230 per annum
- Generous pension scheme starting at up to 7% company contributions, rising with length of service, plus up to 6x basic salary death in service benefit
- Term-time hours only (34.5 hours over 39 weeks) giving you genuine work-life balance and time back with family, plus long service awards including cash gifts and extra holiday
- Comprehensive training, development and apprenticeship qualifications to progress your career, backed by a real living wage employer commitment
- Real employee wellbeing support including free weekly yoga, Mental Health First Aiders, enhanced family leave (maternity, paternity, adoption), occupational sick pay, and access to an Employee Assistance Programme for you and your household
Is this you?
- Is this you: you have experience supporting young adults with additional needs, learning difficulties, or complex behaviour, whether from care work, hospital support, or education roles
- You thrive in a multidisciplinary team and understand what it means to work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, and other professionals around the student
- You're genuinely committed to helping young people reach their potential and you can demonstrate patience, warmth and real understanding of additional needs
- You hold a current driving licence (this is essential for the role)
- You're ready to undertake comprehensive training in personal care, mobility support, medication and therapy techniques as directed
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.