Workforce Development

Curriculum Services' Motivational Career Structure

Learning Support Assistant (LSA)

dEPARTMENTAL

ACADEMIC

sUPPORT

Workforce Development

Opportunities and progression routes

We strive to ensure all staff can develop their skills with us, and progress in the way they wish to.

How we support you

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LSA

Tier 3 LSA

Tier 2 LSA

Tier 3 Learning Support Assistants, (LSAs) all hold a full, nationally recognised qualification in Additional Learning Support and are, as such, qualified professional practitioners.

Tier 2 are all qualified practitioners to at least Level 3 in learning support. In addition to this, Tier 2 LSAs hold another level 3 qualification in a learning difference specialism e.g., ASD, Dyslexia, etc..

What is an LSA?

Tier 1 Communicator

Tier 1 LSA

Our Learning Support Assistants (LSA) are one part of a team of committed, student-centred, well-trained professionals working in every area and at every level of college, ensuring those with learning differences have the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

Tier 1 LSAs are specialists in an area of SEN, alongside the level 3 support qualification, they also hold a level 6 qualification in an aspect of SEN.

Tier 1 communicators are highly skilled in BSL, deaf awareness and communication. They are level 3 support qualified and level 3+ qualified in BSL and communication support.

Departmental

ALS Supervisor

ALS Team Leader

A Team leader ensures that students are well supported, staff feel valued, and processes have been followed within college, local and national expectations.

A rewarding role combining supporting learners in the classroom and managing the day-to-day activities of a team of 15+ LSAs

What other roles are there in Curriculum Services?

EHCP Specialist Advisor

Coordinator

A coordinator's main responsibility is to ensure student and staff timetables are kept accurate, updated and all relevant parties are informed of any changes made.

An EHCP advisor is responsible for a caseload of students, ensuring that their needs are met before and during their time at college.

We have a range of roles within the Curriculum Services Department which we positively encourage LSAs to work towards if they wish to.

SpLD Advisor

SpLD advisors undertake specialist assessments for dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties for exam access applications in line with JCQ guidelines and SEN Code of Practice.

academic

Sessional Lecturer

Tutor

A full time tutor delivers an FE curriculum to students under the guidance of the head of area.

A sessional lecturer is a part time tutor delivering an FE curriculum to students under the guidance of the head of area.

Can I take an academic route?

Course Leader

Head of Area

Many of our LSAs find their role so fulfilling that they are inspired to move into an academic role. Within our department, we actively promote, encourage and support such progression.

A full time tutor delivers an FE curriculum to students. Leading a team and managing and planning a course under the guidance of the head of area

The role of a Head of Area is to oversee the teaching and learning of staff and students within a curriculum area.

Support roles in other departments

Wellbeing Advisor

Tutorial Supervisor

To asess student's mental health, assess risk at times, provide short-term support, make appropriate referrals, both internally and externally.

They support students emotionally and academically using personal development plans..

Mental Health Advisor

Learning Supervisor

How can I continue to support in other departments?

They meet with students with mental health issue to support and agree mental health care plans

To run and manage learning workshops to support students with self directed learning.

Technician

Advice and Guidance Advisor

The support skills of LSAs often steer them towards other support roles in the college

Offers students career and financial advice to support progression.

To support teaching staff with technical aspects of the course and equipment used.

Admissions Administrator

Project Manager

To collect and input data about enrolling students and answer any queries.

To lead and manage a project with oversight of financial, logistical and qims of the project.

Opportunities

Opportunities and Progression routes

We offer roles to trained and untrained LSAs with a passion for support.We then offer training to a nationally recognised standard alongside specialist training to meet the needs of students. Once the LSA has attained their level 3 learning support qualification, we then discuss with them what they would like to do going forward and support them in their progression. At least 10% each year move into other roles internally or externally after this time. Most move on internally which means that the students benefit from a whole college team with a strong knowledge of SEN and inclusive practice.

Opportunities

Curriculum Services are committed to train LSAs to a high level and then support them in their desired progression pathway.

How we support you

We value our LSAs

We highly value the skills and knowledge LSAs bring and develop within their role.They are the most adaptable, versatile team working with students. They have the ability to work with numerous members of staff, a diverse variety of unique students who have a range of learning differences in a multitude of subject areas. It takes a very talented person to be able to adapt their approaches, communication and knowledge set to accomodate all of this and they work hard to refine their skills. We are proud to support those that wish to move to other roles within the college. We do this through our departmental pleadges which include:

• Supporting training and qualifications (including a SEN degree offered onsite.)
• Offering shadowing opporunities.
• Offering secondments to ensure job security
• Offering flexible working arrangements to allow LSAs to combine roles.

Support

As a support department, we take the role of supporting our staff very seriously and offer Departmental pledges to support any LSA to work towards their goal.