Student Support Assistant
Location: Henley-on-Thames
Salary: £18,438.00 (£25,104.00 FTE)
Contract Type: Permanent, 32.5 hours per week, Term Time Only (38 weeks)
Working Hours: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm, Monday to Friday
About the Role
Do you like a challenge? Are you a team player? Can you use your initiative? Do you enjoy working with young people?
As a Student Support Assistant, you will work alongside a dedicated team of teaching and support staff to help students aged 16–19 with severe or complex learning difficulties. Some students may also have physical disabilities or behavioural challenges. At times, you will be required to support students on a one-to-one basis.
This is a varied, hands-on role requiring flexibility, energy, and a strong sense of commitment.
Main Responsibilities
As a support staff member, your key responsibilities include:
Supporting teachers in all areas of the curriculum
Attending to students' personal needs, such as toileting, washing, dressing, and feeding
Maintaining equipment and using IT to create and maintain teaching materials
Assisting with general department tasks, like washing up and laundry
Supervising students in and out of college buildings, including during lunch and coffee breaks
Assisting with transportation for off-site activities
Being flexible and adaptable to assist students with a range of activities
About You
We’re looking for someone caring, adaptable, and confident in supporting students with a variety of learning difficulties and personal care needs. The ideal candidate will:
Follow all rules and regulations issued by the college
Maintain professional standards and implement college policies
Adhere to college policies, including the Staff Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies
Meet the college's quality standards and undergo continuous professional development
Perform any other duties appropriate to your post
To be successful in this role, you should have a flexible approach and be able to assist and relate to students with severe and complex learning difficulties. You should be able to use your own initiative, communicate clearly, and be physically capable of lifting in emergency situations. Experience in classroom support, caring fields, and manual handling is desirable, and having a sense of humour is a plus.
Why join us?
The Henley College is a leading sixth form college, serving young people and adult learners from across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire. Located in the HEART of Henley-on-Thames, we are a vibrant and inclusive organisation with around 250 dedicated staff, committed to achieving educational excellence. Our values - High Expectations, Enterprise, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork, (HEART) - are central to everything we do.
As part of our team in this role, you’ll benefit from:
Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Free onsite gym
40% discount at Henley Leisure Centre
On site cafes
Based in the beautiful market town of Henley-on-Thames, on the banks of the River Thames
24/7 support for your physical, mental and financial health through our EAP provider
We actively support staff with ongoing Continuous Professional Development
The Henley College is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check
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The Henley College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.