Therapy Assistant

Therapy Assistant – Aurora Ivy Lane School

Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire   

Salary:  £11.72 - £12.78 per hour, depending on skills and experience (£19,370.70 to £21,122.66 actual annual salary)

Hours: 37 hours per week – Term time only

Closing Date: Wednesday 22^nd May

Aurora Ivy Lane School

Aurora Ivy Lane School is a 'Good' (Ofsted, October 2023) rated innovative provider of specialist education, supporting young people aged 11 - 19 with complex needs including autism, moderate and severe learning disabilities; speech, language, communication and interaction needs and behaviours that can challenge. 

To support our growth, we’re currently looking to recruit a Therapy Assistant.

The main purpose of the role:

As our Therapy Assistant, you will be Responsible for the implementation of Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapy and Positive Behaviour Support advised interventions in a Specialist SEN secondary School setting. 

You will implement and review therapy interventions as identified by the Therapy Team, through assessment and as set out as part of a Statement of Special Educational Needs or Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), to enable students to fulfil their potential in all aspects of their lives.  These will include occupational therapy interventions as well as sensory and creative activities such as therapeutic art activities.

Key duties:

• Work effectively with teachers and key staff across the secondary setting, including the SENCo and Management Team to understand the student and their needs and develop and implement effective interventions both in and outside of lessons.
• Develop appropriate profiles on all appropriate children with the therapy team.
• Work to develop integrated ‘Push in’ methods in the classroom, only ‘pulling children out’ to 1:1 or small group sessions, where absolutely necessary.
• Liaise effectively with teaching staff and the therapy team such that best practice is evidenced throughout the whole curriculum.
• To be accountable for the delivery of therapeutic support as advised by the therapy team
• To engage in relevant training as advised by the school to ensure ongoing professional development.

Duties will vary, you must expect to diversify and lend a hand wherever is required.

Successful candidates are likely to demonstrate:

• Supporting individual development and care plans and assisting individuals in accordance with their needs and wishes, particularly their sensory, communication and behavioural needs.
• Previous experience of a specialist setting and/or working with young people in education particularly those with Special Educational Needs.
• Experience running interventions, with measurable impact (desirable).
• Recognised Level 2 qualifications in English and Maths.
• A strong desire to make a difference to young people.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, including report writing.

What’s on offer? 

• Training and Development - Within Aurora, we strongly believe that learning and development should not be limited to just the children and young people we support.  We offer wide range of programmes and opportunities to all our employees to improve your skills and further your career. 

• Save money on your bills!! - With the cost of living rising we have a fantastic benefit through Perkbox to help with cutting costs and help make your money go further.  Perkbox is a free app for you to use on the go wherever you are.  You can get deals and discounts to save money on things like your weekly food bill, phone plans, internet, eating out, gym memberships, insurance and more.  You can also use Perkbox for our cycle to work scheme and car scheme. 

• Competitive Pay and Reward - Every year we compare the market rates of pay and rewards to insure they are comparable or better to other similar organisations.  We also offer Enhanced Annual Leave, Company Sick Pay, Pension and Life Assurance.

• UK Health Cash Plan - This plan can help cover your day to day healthcare expenditure such as optician and dental bills.  You and your children are covered on this plan and you can also choose to upgrade and add a partner to enjoy the benefits with you.

• Employee Assistance Programme - Your health and wellbeing is very important to us and we have support available on a wide variety of issues, helping you with online tools, information and via a freephone counselling service available 24/7. 

• Refer a friend for £1,000 - We’ll reward you for recommending friends and family to come and join the company (*terms apply)

How to apply? 

Please complete a full online application form. If you would like assistance in completing this application form or more information on this position, please contact Kirsty in the Recruitment Team at kirsty.wilkinson@the-aurora-group.com 

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.

This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled. 

Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.