Learning Support Practitioner

Role: Learning Support Practitioner

Location: Shuttleworth Campus

Salary/Benefits: Salary is between £23,557- £26,754 Per annum DOE and Qualifications, 27 days annual leave plus Bank holidays,People’s Pension, Retail and Leisure Discounts, excellent professional and personal development opportunities, accessing college courses.

Hours/Weeks: 37 Weeks | 37 Weeks Per Year

Contract Type: Permanent - Term Time

This is a UK based contract, and you are required to have theRight to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK.

About the role:

We are currently seeking a Learning Support Practitioner to join our Foundation Learning & Additional Learning Support department at The Bedford College Group.

As a Learning Support Practitioner, you play an important role in the success of our students through:

• Purpose & Impact – Provides tailored support to remove barriers to learning, enabling SEND learners to access education, build independence and achieve their full potential with confidence

• Learner Support & Delivery – Delivers personalised, in-class and practical support, using targeted strategies to develop communication, behaviour, social and study skills in line with EHCPs

• Progress Monitoring & Reporting – Tracks, records and reports on learner progress, contributing to reviews and using evidence to inform teaching, planning and outcomes

• Inclusive Practice & Environment – Promotes inclusive approaches aligned with SEND reforms, supporting consistent, high-quality provision and creating safe, supportive learning environments

• Collaboration & Professional Responsibility – Works closely with staff, families and external professionals while upholding safeguarding, EDI, health & safety and ongoing professional development commitments

About you:

• Qualifications & Core Knowledge – Level 3 qualification in Learning Support or related field with Level 2 Maths & English, alongside strong understanding of SEND needs, reforms and inclusion expectations

• Experience & Technical Skills – Proven experience supporting learners with SEND (including complex needs) in education or care settings, with strong literacy, numeracy, digital and Microsoft Office skills

• Learner Support & Relationship Building – Skilled in promoting independence, resilience and self-advocacy, while building positive, trusting relationships with learners and staff

• Professional Skills & Approach – Calm, adaptable and solution-focused, with strong communication skills and the ability to observe, record and report learner progress effectively

• Flexibility & Safeguarding Commitment – Positive, flexible and proactive, able to support mobility and personal care needs, work across sites, travel where required, and uphold safeguarding responsibilities

For a more detailed breakdown of the job role and the requirements, please see the Job Description attached to this vacancy.

Successful candidates must also be able to demonstrate alignment to our organisationalVISION values:

• Valuing Teamwork - We are one team who by working together can achieve great things, respecting the opinion and valuing the contribution each of us makes.
• Improving Continuously - We challenge ourselves to always do better by trying new things, sharing knowledge, reflecting on practice and learning from others.
• Student Centred - At our heart is always doing what is best for our students. We consider students in all of our decision making to create positive outcomes and memorable experiences for every student.
• Inclusive - We celebrate differences and diversity, recognising that we can learn from each other.
• Open and Caring - We care about the wellbeing of our staff, our students, our community and wider society, creating an environment built on trust where we listen, engage with and support each other.
• Nurturing Education Excellence - We promote educational excellence by delivering programmes that challenge our students to achieve their ambitions.

About The Bedford College Group

The Bedford College Group was formed in 2017 following the merger of Bedford College and Tresham College and is now the largest provider of education in the South East Midlands, with over 15,000 students passing through our doors each year.

Today, the Group is made up of a family of colleges across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire: Bedford College, Central Bedfordshire College and Tresham College in the towns of Bedford, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough; Shuttleworth College, a specialist land-based college; The Bedford Sixth Form, (the only dedicated sixth form in Bedford); The Corby Sixth Form, (opened in September 2023); and the National College for Motorsport alongside Silverstone race circuit. To widen accessibility to education and training, the Group also has community-based Learning Centres in Bedford, Corby and Kettering which offer IT training.

Safeguarding our Students
The Bedford College Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to thorough vetting process which includes, an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide. The Bedford College Group's policy on Employment of Ex-Offenders is attached to this vacancy.

Candidates who are barred from working with children are reminded it is a criminal offence to apply for this post.

Terms and Conditions - BCPS

• 37 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
• 27 days annual leave per annum, plus bank holidays
• Peoples Pension
• Retail and leisure discounts