Support Worker

 FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

Employer: South Devon College

Position:Support Worker

Salary: £24,714 – £25,332 a year

Job Type:Full time, Part time

Work location: Paignton, England

Job overview 

Join South Devon College and make a positive impact on the lives of young people. We are looking for a compassionate and proactive Learning Support Assistant to support learners who may face barriers to education, require additional learning support, or be following alternative curriculum pathways. Working closely with curriculum teams, you will provide both academic and pastoral support, helping learners build confidence, develop independence, and achieve their full potential within a safe, inclusive and supportive environment. If you are passionate about supporting young people and helping them succeed, we would love to hear from you.

Key highlights of the role:

• Provide curriculum and pastoral support to learners.
• Support learners to overcome barriers and engage positively in education.
• Assist with behaviour management and learner progress reviews.
• Contribute to assessments, target setting and learner development plans.
• Support educational visits, work placements, and enrolment activities.
• Promote safeguarding, inclusion, equality and learner wellbeing at all times.

We are seeking a passionate and supportive individual with a good standard of Maths and English (Grade A-C/4-9 or equivalent Level 2 qualification), or a willingness to work towards these qualifications. A Level 2 Learning Support qualification (or equivalent) is desirable, although training can be provided. You will have experience of supporting young people or learners with additional needs, or be able to demonstrate relevant transferable skills. Strong communication skills, professionalism, patience and reliability are essential, along with a genuine commitment to helping young people overcome barriers, achieve their potential, and thrive in a safe and inclusive environment.

Our staff are integral to maintaining our passion and high-performance levels, and we reward our staff for this. Our benefits are designed to encourage a healthy work-life balance, and include:

• 25 days annual leave (pro-rata of fractional) including the option to purchase additional holiday days;
• 1 additional day’s holiday for your birthday (does not have to be used on your birthday);
• 1 additional day’s holiday for every 5 years served;
• Christmas Closure of up to 2 weeks in addition to annual leave entitlement;
• Access to a wealth of training, apprenticeships and funded higher education opportunities as well as dedicated training days;
• Local Government Pension Scheme Employer pension contributions of 15.1%;
• Subsidised fitness suite facility, onsite hair and beauty salon, access to a wide range of catering facilities, outdoor gym and free eyesight tests;
• Major supermarket and high street employee discount schemes;
• Life Assurance (if member of pension scheme);
• On Site Nursery (Mama Bears);
• Employee Assistance Programmes;
• Access to Blue Light Card membership;
• Discounted travel schemes.

Closing Date: Midnight, Wednesday 11 November 2026

Interview Date: TBC

To apply and for a full job description please visit the Jobs page of the South Devon College website. Please do NOT send CVs, we only accept applications via the relevant form on our dedicated recruitment website.

Please note that you will be required to be in possession of an Enhanced DBS Certificate or be willing to undertake an Enhanced DBS check as a condition of employment at the College.

This College is committed to Safeguarding/Prevent and promoting the welfare of students, including children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The College is committed to applying its Single Equality Scheme at all stages of recruitment and selection. Shortlisting, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, transgender status, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, colour, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion/belief, age, pregnancy or maternity leave, or union membership.

Reasonable attempts will be made to accommodate the particular needs of any candidate who has notified us of a disability. This may include changing the timing or location of any interview to enable the candidate to attend, providing information in different formats or larger type, etc.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare any cautions, convictions, reprimands and final warnings that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).

Working at South Devon College, you can expect access to an exciting range of training, apprenticeship and opportunities for degree level study alongside your work to keep you at the top of your game, as well as generous holiday allowance of 25 days pro rata and a strong emphasis on work-life balance.

The staff at South Devon College are truly inspirational and this is a reflection on the whole College culture of continuous improvement and support for all of our students and communities.

We aim to provide our learners with excellent teaching and learning. Our staff are highly adept at working with and developing skills and knowledge in learners from different backgrounds. Our staff have consistently high expectations of all students and generate high levels of enthusiasm for participation in, and commitment to learning.

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