Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Are you a Life Changer? Do you want to lean in and transform the life of a child?

Compass Community puts children first through our therapeutic and innovative approach. Integrity, Courage and Care shape how we work every day. We listen deeply, challenge each other positively and work together to fix what needs fixing. This is meaningful work that changes lives, and we'd like you to be part of it.

Who We Are

Our children come from a wide range of backgrounds, but all have Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. Many also have additional Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including Autism, ADHD and communication difficulties. Some children have experienced significant trauma, adverse childhood experiences and may have involvement with social care services.

The work we do is rewarding, varied and challenging. As a trauma and attachment-informed organisation, all staff receive extensive therapeutic training, professional development and specialist support.

Our child-centred approach brings together education professionals, therapists, parents and carers, local authority teams and students to secure positive outcomes and opportunities for future success.

The Role

Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs) know that no two days and no two children are the same. Our pupils require committed adults who can support children with complex needs and challenging behaviours while maintaining a calm, nurturing and consistent approach.

Our children need attention, effective communication, understanding, patience and flexibility. They benefit from adults who are resilient, persistent and solution-focused and who can adapt quickly to changing situations. HLTAs wear many hats throughout the school day and must be ready to change them at a moment's notice to meet individual needs.

Our HLTAs May Be

• Supporting teachers in the classroom.
• Working one-to-one with children or delivering targeted sessions to small groups.
• Managing, preparing and organising classroom resources.
• Taking children on educational trips, visits and enrichment activities.
• Having lunch with children who find social situations challenging.
• Managing heightened behaviours and helping keep children safe.
• Playing board games and activities that support learning and relationships.
• Conducting science experiments and practical learning activities.
• Creating engaging displays that support learning and celebrate achievement.
• Recognising and celebrating success, effort and progress.
• Participating in therapy sessions or reflective discussions following difficult periods.

We want our HLTAs to play an active role in decision-making across the school. We value their ideas and encourage staff to bring their interests and talents to enrich opportunities for students.

Benefits and Rewards

Working with Compass Community offers a range of benefits, including:

• Staff laptop and mobile phone.
• Extensive training and professional qualification opportunities.
• Small class sizes supported by specialist teaching assistants.
• Enhanced Occupational Sickness Scheme.
• Salary sacrifice schemes, including childcare vouchers, technology purchases and Cycle to Work options.
• Regular therapeutic and supportive supervision.
• Access to MediCash, providing cashback for medical appointments and treatments, including dental, optical, physiotherapy and more.

The Values Awards

At Compass, our strength comes from the values we live by every day: Integrity, Care and Courage. These values are reflected in the actions taken every day to support children, families and colleagues, often in ways that go unseen.

The Compass Values Awards recognise and celebrate colleagues who demonstrate Integrity, Care or Courage across our community. These awards shine a spotlight on those making a positive difference and acknowledge the impact of their actions on children, young people and colleagues.

We regularly review applications and reserve the right to close this advert early should suitable candidates be identified before the closing date.

Safeguarding

Compass Community Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to hold, or be willing to obtain, an Enhanced DBS Check or Enhanced Check for Regulated Activity through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including social media checks.

All school-based staff share responsibility for promoting safeguarding and the welfare of children. Staff must be familiar with the school's Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and work in accordance with it at all times.

Compass is an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We believe recruiting talented people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives strengthens our ability to support children and young people and achieve outstanding outcomes for every child.