Learning Support Assistant

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Job Title: Learning Support Assistant
Location: Holistic Childcare and Education, Dumfries & Galloway
Hours: 30 hours per week Monday-Friday
Salary: £17,728.00 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract: Permanent Term Time Only
Start: April 2026
UK applicants only - no sponsorship available

We're looking for enthusiastic Learning Support Assistant to join our team and help pupils thrive at both our Maben and Closeburn Schools

About the Role

As a Learning Support Assistant, you will work as part of the education team to support pupils to access learning, build regulation, and develop the skills and confidence needed to achieve.

You will play a key role in supporting learning activities, delivering targeted support, and helping create calm, purposeful learning environments.

Key responsibilities:

• Support pupils 1:1 and in small groups, under the direction of teaching staff, to reduce barriers to learning and increase engagement.
• Help implement individualised plans (e.g., learning targets, wellbeing/behaviour support plans), contributing observations that support review and progress.
• Use AAD/TIP approaches to support co-regulation, transitions, routines and emotionally safe learning experiences.
• Support communication and interaction using consistent, autism-informed strategies.
• Provide practical support in the classroom (preparing resources, adapting tasks, supporting organisation and readiness to learn).
• Work closely with colleagues across education/care/clinical teams, contributing to consistent approaches across the school day.
• Maintain clear, professional records as required and handle information appropriately in line with confidentiality and safeguarding.
• Support with transport.
• Support where needed in the home.

Who we're looking for:

We're seeking someone who can demonstrate:

• A genuine commitment to improving outcomes and wellbeing for children and young people with additional support needs.
• Kindness, patience, empathy and the ability to build trusted relationships.
• Confidence supporting pupils who may present with distressed behaviour, using calm, consistent and restorative responses aligned with TIP.
• Experience supporting children/young people with ASN (particularly ASC/SEMH/trauma) - desirable, not essential if you bring the right values and transferable skills.
• Flexibility, teamwork and a solution-focused mindset, including the ability to work across both sites when required.

About Us

Holistic Childcare & Education provides specialist education residential care for children and young people with a range of additional support needs, including Autism/ASC, social, emotional and mental health needs, and those who have experienced developmental trauma.

The role will be based across both schools, Maben School, Lochmaben and Closeburn School, Near Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, where learning is aligned with Curriculum for Excellence, with an emphasis on wellbeing, literacy and numeracy, and highly personalised pathways that help young people re-engage with learning and progress to positive outcomes.
We also benefit from multi-disciplinary and clinical input (e.g., Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and wider specialist support), helping us put the right support around each learner.

For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.