Could you join us to make a positive difference to the lives of children in Cumbria?
Due to high demand, we are looking for friendly, enthusiastic, and hard-working individuals to join our register as Teaching Assistants (TA's) and Senior Teaching Assistants (STA's).
Following a successful interview and pre-employment checks, you will join the register initially on a zero-hour contract, but our friendly and dedicated team will work to find you opportunities with schools and educational establishments across the county, and these can be term time contracts, or longer-term prospects. Our team will build a supportive relationship with you, and work to make sure we find you a position that works.
The register includes vacancies for Physical and Sensory Assistants, supporting children with severe and complex needs, additional/special educational needs and in class support.
Joining the Learning Support Service offers development, flexibility, and variety, and the opportunity to find positions that suit you. If you're interested in joining our service, or would like to find more, please reach out to our team for an informal discussion.
For roles in Allerdale, Carlisle and Copeland please contact Michelle Thompson on:
Telephone: 01900 706080
Email: michelle.thompson@cumberland.gov.uk
The Learning Support Service is a professional staffing agency providing qualified and skilled teaching assistants to work with schools, and other educational establishments, in the support of pupils with statutory and non-statutory educational needs.
After a successful interview process, you will join our Register and our team will contact you regularly with employment opportunities across a wide range of education providers, supporting pupils with varying needs. Our team our friendly and supportive, working to ensure/secure regular and reliable work for you, but also discussing your needs and flexibility.
Joining our service can be an excellent step in your Teaching Assistant career, and we support all Teaching Assistants and Senior Teaching Assistants on our register with development, offering a range of continual professional development, such as Autism Training.
The Service is part of Cumberland Council and as such you can be re-assured that you will part of a respected organisation, which offers employees protected employee rights including a nationally agreed pay framework under Local Government policy. We also offer employees:
- Opportunity to enrol in the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Supportive working environment
- Generous Annual Leave Entitlement
- Maternity, paternity, adoption, and parental leave
- Absence/sickness pay
Salary:
Teaching Assistant - £12.38 per hour
Senior Teaching Assistant - £13.69 to £14.17 per hour
Availability:
Between 2 to 5 days availability required.
Expected reasonable distance to travel 15 miles
Qualifications:
Relevant Level 2 qualification essential (Teaching Assistant)
Relevant level 3 qualification essential (Senior Teaching Assistant)
Maths and English Level 4 or above / GCSE equivalent Grade C or above
Secondary school experience desirable but not essential
Job descriptions
Teaching Assistant Post Specification (PDF 182KB)
Teaching Assistant Role Profile (PDF 176KB)
To apply to join our service, please select the relevant area which will take you to through to be able to complete the Cumberland Council application form:
For help and guidance on completing the application form, please contact a member of the team.
Once your application is submitted, and if you meet the essential requirements of the role, one of our team will be in touch to arrange a virtual interview.
If successful, you will go through pre-employment checks, consisting of:
- 2 References both of which need to be employer references, with one as your current employer or most recent employer
- DBS check: These roles require enhanced DBS checks with a Children's Barred List check. Please note this role involves working in regulated activity with Children
- Health Assessment
More information about the DBS Service and safer recruitment, including DBS portability
For any queries around our pre-employment checks, please contact Resourcing@Cumbria.gov.uk
Is the position I am applying for just an ad-hoc supply cover position?
Initially we recruit to our supply register, but this could soon lead to more regular/contracted work, if that is what you are looking for. In fact, we have many members of staff who have been employed with LSS and deployed into the same school for many years.
I already have part time employment elsewhere, will this be a problem?
No Learning Support Service (LSS) ask for anywhere between 2 to 5 days availability, dependent on your circumstances. We have many staff who run another employment alongside their role with LSS.
How will I be paid?
Initially, if working supply, you will submit time sheets which are paid a month in arrears. However, if you receive a contract you would no longer need to submit timesheets for the period of the contract.
The advert mentions Teaching Assistant (TA) and Senior Teaching Assistant (STA) positions - which can I apply for?
If you have the qualifications for the STA grade, then you automatically get interviewed for the TA position at the same time. This allows us to deploy you as either, dependent on the school(s) request(s).
What is the benefit of coming to Learning Support Service as opposed to other organisations?
As part of Cumberland Council, you will be paid according to the nationally agreed Local Government Pay Framework (and we apply Job Working Condition (JWC;s) pay where applicable, which private agencies don't. In addition, you will be eligible to enrol for the Local Government Pension Scheme, and if you are working Fixed term contracts, you are eligible for Sick/Maternity/Paternity pay - dependent on hours worked and time accrued.
What personal development can I expect?
At Learning Support Service we encourage all employee Continuous Professional Development. We aim to match training to the needs of the children LSS staff may support, for example - Understanding Autism / Positive Behaviour Management training, which is a great benefit to most schools when our employees have that knowledge and skill.
What employee rights will I have?
All contracted staff, whether Zero hours or contracted hours have access to a high standard of People Management Policy which protect the employee and the employer.
Testimonials from Teaching Assistants who are working as part of the service:
Sharon
"I originally started work for LSS 15 years ago and began on the supply register, like most people. But within 3 weeks I was offered a Fixed term contract and have been on these hours ever since and was given a permanent contract. LSS provides great employee support and is well respected throughout schools."
Carole
"I have worked for LSS for 16 years and have always had lots of work, ongoing professional development courses and have had support during family bereavements too. The management are caring and very professional when supporting the staff. I have worked in Primary and Secondary schools during my employment and am still enjoying my role as a Teaching Assistant."
Julie
"The LSS team are extremely welcoming; the recruitment process was supportive, with managers who are genuinely interested in your knowledge and experience of supporting learners; even during the pandemic, the Business Support Assistants ensure you are informed about the latest guidance and policy updates. It is reassuring to know you are being employed by the County Council's Learning Support Service, with options to build pensionable service and access training, all whilst working flexibly over the school year."
Nicola
"I have been with LS for almost 10 years now and have always had employment with them, they accommodate the hours I need, which has varied over the years and try their best to fulfil my requests. The admin team are very approachable and friendly and go above and beyond to help."
Joanne
"I am so happy I joined Learning Support Service because I feel there is great support for employees, and everyone has been helpful, welcoming and thorough. Whenever I have had a question, it has been answered quickly and efficiently, which in turn makes me feel like a valued member of the team."
We are always keen to hear from people who are thinking of training to be Teaching Assistants, or those who are completing this training, and we can discuss future opportunities with you. We are also happy to talk to people completing their Teaching Assistant apprenticeship if you are looking for the next step in your career.
To discuss future opportunities, please contact a member of the team:
Michelle Thompson
Telephone: 01900 706080
Email: michelle.thompson@cumberland.gov.uk
As an equal opportunities employer, Cumberland Council is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Cumberland Council.