Learning Support Assistant (SEMH/SEN), Shaftesbury
About This Role
Join our supportive and dynamic team as a Learning Support Assistant
Do you want to work in an environment where the focus is on educating the whole child? Are you passionate about supporting and empowering some of the most inspiring and unique young people in Dorset? Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children with additional needs? We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate Learning Support Assistant to work closely with class teacher to enhance pupil progress, whilst also promoting their independence, self-esteem and social inclusion. You will also collaborate with our Pastoral Support team, Therapeutic Thinking Lead and Therapy team to create a nurturing learning environment.
We’d love to hear from you if you:
✅ Have a passion for supporting children with SEMH (social, emotional, and mental health) needs and neurodiversity such as autism.
✅ Have experience as a SEND Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant or Youth Worker, supporting children with additional needs.
✅ Are currently working in a mainstream Secondary setting and eager to take the next step into Special Education.
If you’re patient, empathetic, and enthusiastic about helping young people who are vulnerable and/or who have a special educational needs, we would love to welcome you to our team!
Our school
Coombe House School is an independent special school that provides education for pupils aged 5 to 19 with SEMH and ASD and associated difficulties, which represents the largest group of children and young people supported by an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) in Dorset and nationally. All pupils on roll have an EHCP. The school uses a therapeutic approach to support pupils with their individual difficulties. Everything the school does is based on the formation and maintenance of positive relationships and viewing all behaviour as communication.
We are seeking candidates who thrive on working in a challenging but immensely rewarding environment, who are passionate about supporting the development of social, life and independence skills and who truly want to make a difference in the lives of pupils. Our Learning Support Assistants are kind, patient, calm and compassionate who work on building trusting relationships with our pupils.
More about the role:
Assist teachers and other staff to create a positive learning environment.
Capacity to offer therapeutic support to pupils.
Engage pupils in activities and learning planned by the teacher - both on and off site.
Support pupils in managing their behaviour and learning.
Equip pupils with essential coping skills.
Support pupils to improve their behaviour through a positive behaviour approach.
Teach pupils emotional self-regulation skills and social interaction and communication skills under the guidance of the class teacher.
Please review the job description and person specification for further information about the role. If you would like to work at a very special, caring, and nurturing school, please complete the application process.
Excellent salary range from £25,989 – £26,824 FTE per annum (Actual term time only for this position is £22,878 to £23,613 per annum).
Working hours are:
Full Time (35 hours)
08.30 – 16.00 Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
08.30 – 16.30 on a Wednesday
08.30 – 15.30 on a Friday
The school is accessed via a private road and enjoys a secluded setting within its grounds. The accommodation extends to over 160,000 sq ft, set within in grounds of 55 acres.
What Coombe House School can offer you:
A workplace set in beautiful surroundings.
Competitive salary.
Access to an employee assistance programme.
Enhanced Pension Scheme (10% employers' contribution).
Continuous professional development and training
Use of leisure facilities (gym and swimming pool), at specified times.
Death in Service (3 x salary).
Health Care Plan after probation period - claim back costs towards dental check-ups, eye tests, prescription charges and therapies.
Highly supportive leadership team and working alongside a multi-disciplinary team of other SEN Specialists.
The opportunity to play an integral part at the infancy of this exciting and unique journey.
We will commence interviews prior to the closing date, so please don’t delay in making an application. Please contact Claire Taylor, Assistant HR Manager on 01747 449858 for any queries.
Deadline for applications: Sunday 19 April 2026
This post involves working with children or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them and will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. We are committed to safeguarding and expect everyone who works in our school (and visitors to our school) to share this commitment. We take all safeguarding and welfare concerns seriously and encourage our pupils to talk to us about any worries they may have. We will always act in the best interests of the child. The successful applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS.