We are a tiny (25 student) SEN-focused independent school who specialise in students who’ve been on the sharp end of bullying, cruel treatment, and burnout. Our students are largely victims of trauma, and most are neurodivergent. We provide a space for students who are not violent or prone to misbehaviour, and who only need an empathetic place to learn, where they can make friends, have fun, and recover from their experiences.

We consider this the ideal environment for people who are passionate about teaching and are passionate about helping those who do not necessarily fit within the normal systems of education.

The safe recruitment of staff in schools is the first step to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in education. SAFE is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all pupils in its care.  As an employer, SAFE expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

SAFE is committed to equality and diversity in employment practice and service delivery and expects employees to comply with our values of promoting equality and diversity, treating colleagues and service users with dignity and respect at all times. This commitment must be evidenced in practice. Any behaviour that falls below these standards is unacceptable to the School and potentially constitutes misconduct.

For further information about the school, please visit https://www.safeschoolbexley.co.uk/

We are looking for at least one Learning Support Assistant to help our students to engage with lessons, and to provide 1:1 support where necessary. You will be supporting students from 11-19, with a range of interests and abilities.

We are ideally looking for people who have experience of the difficulties of the school system, especially for those with neuro-divergences and special educational needs. Empathy is the key attribute we are looking for, but we would also like someone who will be able to support students at a GCSE level in Maths, English, Science, and History.

The ideal candidate will possess initiative, be calm under pressure, flexible and adaptable, and be able to keep the students’ traumas and needs at the forefront of everything they do.

As most of SAFE’s students have been traumatised by mainstream education, it is vital that the person in this role has the ability to establish and earn trust, and to manage that trust whilst always being mindful to prioritise safeguarding. Positive behaviour management skills are essential, to maintain the safe, calm environment within the school without retraumatising the students.

This post is a customer-facing position and falls within the scope of the Code of Practice on English Language Requirement for Public Sector Workers. The school has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the JD/Person Specification. These will be applied during the recruitment/selection and probationary stages.

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for more information.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Ruth McWeeney at ruth.mcweeney@safeschoolbexley.co.uk.

Please refer to the Person Specification attached.

To apply for this vacancy please download and complete the application form available from the Attachments section below. Your application should be submitted to info@safeschoolbexley.co.uk. Alternatively, applications can be sent to 253 Eltham High Street SE9 1TY. CVs will not be accepted.

The closing date for applications is 30/11/24 and interviews are scheduled for the following week, pending applicant availability.

We reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date.

Only applicants shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

References will be requested for shortlisted applicants prior to formal job offer.

Shortlisted applicants will be required to complete and return a Self-Disclosure form prior to interview.

Online Searches will be carried out on shortlisted applicants prior to interview. Any concerns will be discussed with candidates at interview.

Further vetting checks including an enhanced DBS, incorporating a check of the Children’s Barred List, will be undertaken on provisional offer.