December 22, 2022
Table of Contents
Are you looking to join the further education sector in the UK? Have you considered becoming a learning support assistant? It is an important role that can make a real difference, so it's worth understanding what this job entails. A learning support assistant helps students with disabilities or special educational needs access their curriculum and reach their potential.
In this blog post, we will explore what exactly being a Learning Support Assistant involves - from qualifications needed to typical salaries and hours of work - as well as how to get into such a position. So if you're interested in working within the further education sector, read on!
Table of Contents:
- What is a Learning Support Assistant?
- Responsibilities of a Learning Support Assistant
- Qualifications for Becoming a Learning Support Assistant
- Typical Salaries for Learning Support Assistants
- Hours of Work for Learning Support Assistants
- How to get a job as a Learning support assistant
- Conclusion
What is a Learning Support Assistant?
A Learning Support Assistant (LSA) is an educational professional who works with students in the further education sector in the UK to provide additional support and guidance. LSAs help students to develop their skills, knowledge, and understanding of the subject matter they are studying. They may work one-on-one with a student or as part of a team, depending on the needs of the individual student.
LSAs typically have experience working with children or young adults and must possess strong communication skills, patience, empathy, and problem-solving abilities. In addition to providing academic assistance, LSAs also offer emotional support for students who may be struggling academically or socially.
Responsibilities of a Learning Support Assistant include helping create lesson plans; monitoring student progress; providing feedback on assignments; assisting teachers during class activities; offering advice on how best to approach difficult topics; maintaining records of student performance; attending parent/teacher meetings when necessary; developing strategies for dealing with challenging behaviour from students; and helping maintain classroom discipline.
Qualifications for becoming a Learning Support Assistant vary by education level but usually require at least two years’ experience working in an educational setting such as teaching assistant roles or youth work positions within schools or colleges. Depending on where you are employed you may need additional qualifications such as NVQ/SVQ Level 2 & 3 awards in Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools (STLS).
Typical salaries for learning support assistants range from £17k - £25k per annum depending upon location and level of responsibility within your role. Hours worked can vary greatly depending upon your place of employment – some schools and colleges employ full time staff while others prefer part-time workers so it is important to check this before applying for any position.
Hours of Work for Learning Support Assistants will depend largely upon whether you are employed full-time or part-time by your employer – if you are employed full time then normal hours would be around 35 hours per week sometimes including evenings and weekends however if you are employed part-time then these hours could be reduced significantly allowing more flexibility around other commitments such as childcare etc..
There are several ways to find job opportunities within the field of learning support assistance. Recruitment agencies that specialise in education settings, online job boards, newspapers and magazines advertising local vacancies, and word-of-mouth recommendations from colleagues already working in this profession can all be useful when looking for new opportunities. You can also check out Bolt's listings within learning support.
Learning Support Assistants are essential to the success of students in further education, as they provide valuable assistance and guidance that helps students reach their goals. Next, we'll explore the key duties and responsibilities of a Learning Support Assistant.
Key Takeaway:
A Learning Support Assistant is an educational professional who works with students in the further education sector to provide additional support and guidance. Responsibilities include helping create lesson plans, monitoring student progress, providing feedback on assignments and developing strategies for dealing with challenging behaviour from students. Qualifications usually require at least two years’ experience working in an educational setting and salaries typically range from £15k - £25k per annum. Job opportunities can be found through recruitment agencies, online job boards like Bolt, newspapers, magazines or word-of-mouth recommendations.
Responsibilities of a Learning Support Assistant
LSAs are employed by schools, colleges and universities in the UK to help students with special educational needs or disabilities access education.
LSAs work closely with teachers, lecturers and other professionals to ensure that all students have equal opportunities for success. They provide support in a variety of ways, such as helping students understand course material, providing feedback on assignments, helping them develop study strategies and offering emotional support when needed.
In addition to these duties, LSAs may also be responsible for monitoring student progress and behaviour in class; assisting with classroom management; preparing materials for lessons; administering tests; tutoring individual or small groups of pupils; liaising with parents/carers about student progress; attending meetings related to the student’s development plan; developing individualised plans for each pupil they work with; supporting pupils during exams or assessments and maintaining records of their activities.
It is important that LSAs possess excellent communication skills, as they will need to interact effectively with both staff members and pupils. They should also have strong organisational skills in order to keep track of multiple tasks at once while remaining calm under pressure. Patience is essential, since some learners may require more time than others when it comes to understanding concepts or completing tasks. Finally, empathy is key; an LSA must be able to put themselves into the shoes of their charges in order to better understand how best they can help them succeed academically.
Learning Support Assistants are vital to the success of any educational institution, providing invaluable assistance to students and teachers alike. Next we'll look at the qualifications required for this role.
Key Takeaway:
Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) provide support to students with special educational needs or disabilities, helping them access education and reach their potential. Key skills for LSAs include excellent communication, organisation, patience and empathy. They are responsible for monitoring student progress and behaviour in class; preparing materials; tutoring; liaising with parents and carers; developing individualised plans; supporting pupils during exams or assessments and maintaining records of their activities.
Qualifications for Becoming a Learning Support Assistant
To become an LSA, you must have at least a Level 3 qualification in either Education or Health & Social Care or equivalent experience working with young people or adults in an educational setting. You must also be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills and have a good understanding of how different learning styles can affect student progress. It is important that LSAs are patient, supportive and encouraging when dealing with challenging behaviour from students while still maintaining boundaries around appropriate behaviour.
Knowledge Requirements
An understanding of special educational needs (SEN) would be beneficial but not essential; however it is important that LSAs are aware of relevant legislation such as the Equality Act 2010 which protects those who require additional support due to disability or other factors. In addition, knowledge of current teaching methods used within further education settings will enable you to provide effective support for your pupils’ learning journey.
Personal Attributes
Working as an LSA requires patience, empathy and resilience; being able to remain calm under pressure whilst still ensuring all safety regulations are adhered to is key! Additionally having good organisational skills will ensure that you stay on top of any paperwork required by your employer's policies along with making sure all deadlines are met promptly without compromising quality standards set out by Ofsted etc.
Additional qualifications such as First Aid training may be desirable depending on the employer's requirements, so it is worth checking this prior to applying for roles if possible. Furthermore, some colleges and providers may ask applicants who wish to become LSAs to hold valid DBS checks; again, this should always be checked before submitting applications where applicable.
Having the right qualifications is essential for becoming a successful Learning Support Assistant.
Key Takeaway:
Becoming a Learning Support Assistant (LSA) requires qualifications in Education or Health & Social Care, excellent communication skills and an understanding of special educational needs. LSAs must also be patient, supportive and encouraging when dealing with challenging behaviour from students while maintaining boundaries. Additional qualifications such as First Aid training may be desirable depending on the school's requirements and DBS checks may also be necessary.
Typical Salaries for Learning Support Assistants
The salary for LSAs varies depending on experience and qualifications but typically ranges from £17,000 - £25,000 per annum. This can be higher if they have additional qualifications such as a teaching qualification or specialist knowledge in a particular area of learning difficulty or disability. For updated salary stats you can check out our live salary survey page.
In addition to their salary, many employers like FE colleges offer generous benefits packages which may include pension contributions, health insurance and paid holidays. Some employers also offer bonuses based on performance targets being met by the LSA over a certain period of time.
Overall, becoming an LSA can be very rewarding both financially and emotionally as you get the chance to make a real difference in people's lives every day while earning a good wage at the same time.
Learning support assistants play an important role in the further education sector, and understanding typical salaries can help you make informed decisions about your career.
Key Takeaway:
The role of a Learning Support Assistant is highly rewarding, both financially and emotionally. LSAs can expect to earn between £17,000 - £25,000 per annum depending on experience and qualifications. Additional benefits such as pension contributions, health insurance and paid holidays are often offered by employers. Working hours vary but typically include 35-40 hours per week during term time only with additional training courses required throughout the career to keep up-to-date with changes in legislation.
Hours of Work for Learning Support Assistants
Most Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) work part-time hours ranging from 15 to 30 hours per week during term time only. This is usually split into morning and afternoon shifts, with some LSAs working full days when needed. Working hours can vary depending on the needs of the school or college they are employed by, but generally fall between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday.
In addition to this, LSAs may be required to attend staff meetings outside of their normal working hours in order to discuss any issues that arise throughout the day or plan for upcoming events. Some schools also require LSAs to provide cover for other members of staff who are absent due to illness or holidays; this could involve taking classes as well as providing support in other areas such as lunchtime supervision and playground duty.
Working part-time allows LSAs flexibility when it comes to balancing their job with family life and other commitments, however there may be times where extra hours are required due to an increase in workload or a special event taking place at the school/college. In these cases, overtime payments will usually apply which can be beneficial for those looking for additional income.
For those interested in pursuing a career as an LSA, it is important to understand what your expected working hours will be before accepting a position so that you know exactly what you are signing up for.
By understanding the hours of work for learning support assistants, you can gain insight into how this role fits into the overall further education sector and plan your career accordingly. Next, let's explore what qualifications are needed to become a learning support assistant.
How To Get a Job as a Learning Support Assistant
Getting a job as a learning support assistant can be both rewarding and challenging. Learning support assistants are an integral part of the further education sector in the UK, providing invaluable help to students who need extra assistance with their studies. With the right qualifications and experience, you can make a real difference in someone’s life by becoming a learning support assistant.
If you are interested in becoming a learning support assistant, there are several routes to finding suitable employment opportunities within this field. One option is direct contact with local schools or colleges, who often advertise vacancies on their websites or social media channels. Another popular route is using specialist recruitment sites such as BoltJobs, which allow users access to hundreds of jobs across multiple sectors including further education and skills development roles specifically tailored towards those looking for work within this industry sector. Finally, networking events organised by professional associations such as The Association Of Education Professionals (AEP) provide excellent platforms where prospective applicants can meet face-to-face with potential employers who have current vacancies available.
With the right qualifications and experience, you can become a successful Learning Support Assistant. Next, we'll look at the role of a Learning Support Assistant in more detail.
Key Takeaway:
To find suitable employment opportunities as a learning support assistant you can contact local schools or colleges directly, use specialist recruitment sites such as BoltJobs or attend networking events organised by professional associations like AEP.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a learning support assistant is an important role in the further education sector in the UK. It requires qualifications and experience to be successful, but it can also be very rewarding. Learning support assistants typically work part-time hours for competitive salaries and have the opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives. If you are looking for a career that allows you to help others while being financially secure, then becoming a learning support assistant may be just what you're looking for!
Are you looking for a rewarding career in further education, skills and learning? Look no further than becoming a Learning Support Assistant! As an LSA, you will be responsible for helping students to access their full potential by providing tailored support based on individual needs. With the right training and qualifications, this role can open up countless opportunities that not only help young people reach their goals but also provide personal satisfaction through making positive contributions to society. Get started today with BoltJobs – your one-stop destination for finding great jobs in Further Education, Skills and Learning!
Founder Alex Lockey is an expert in further education, learning, and skills sector. He leads cost-effective hiring solutions and is known for successful talent placements. Dynamic and driven, Alex seeks innovative solutions to solve sector hiring challenges.
