Learning Support Practitioner

Location: Bedford Campus, Cauldwell Street

Salary is between £25,585 and £30,915 per annum, dependent on experience and qualifications. This is a part-time, permanent role requiring 37 hours per week over 37 weeks per year.

About The Role

We are currently seeking a Learning Support Practitioner to join our Foundation Learning & Additional Learning Support at The Bedford College Group. As a Learning Support Practitioner, you play an important role in the success of our students through:

• Purpose & Learner Support – Provides personalised support to remove barriers to learning, enabling learners with SEND to access education, develop independence, build confidence and achieve their full potential in a range of learning environments.
• Progress Monitoring & Outcomes – Observes, records and reports on learner progress, provides feedback to teaching and ALS teams, and contributes evidence to EHCP reviews, progress reviews and multi-agency meetings.
• Inclusive Practice & SEND Support – Promotes inclusive approaches, implements strategies to support communication, behaviour, social development and study skills, and contributes to high-quality, consistent SEND provision across the College.
• Collaboration & Professional Practice – Works closely with teachers, therapists, parents/carers and external professionals to ensure support is well-planned, responsive and aligned to individual learner needs.
• Professional Responsibilities & Compliance – Maintains safeguarding, equality, diversity, inclusion and health & safety standards while engaging in continuous professional development and contributing to the ongoing improvement of ALS services.

About You

Qualifications & SEND Knowledge

• Level 3 qualification in Learning Support, Education or a related field, with Level 2 Maths and English.
• Strong understanding of SEND needs, effective support strategies, and awareness of current SEND reforms and Ofsted expectations for inclusion.

Experience & Technical Skills

• Experience supporting learners with SEND and additional learning needs in educational, care, FE or specialist settings.
• Strong literacy, numeracy, digital skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Learner Support & Relationship Building

• Skilled in building positive relationships with learners and staff, promoting independence, resilience and self-advocacy.
• Experience supporting students with a range of learning, medical and support needs.

Professional Skills & Inclusive Practice

• Calm, adaptable and solution-focused, with excellent communication skills.
• Ability to observe, record and report learner progress effectively while contributing to inclusive practice and improved learner outcomes.

Flexibility & Safeguarding Commitment

• Committed to safeguarding, supporting personal care and mobility needs.
• Ability to work flexibly across sites.
• Full UK driving licence with access to a vehicle.

Benefits

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• People’s Pension
• Retail and leisure discounts
• Excellent professional and personal development opportunities, including accessing college courses

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.

Organisational Values

Successful candidates must also be able to demonstrate alignment to our organisational VISION 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.

Safeguarding

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 an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.