Dorset Council
Independence Assistant - The Lion Works School
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Independence Assistant – Job Description
Job Title
Independence Assistant
About the Role
The Independence Assistant will work as a Teaching Assistant, supporting students across the curriculum and within the school environment. Key responsibilities include:
- Providing 1:1 learning support and interventions to enhance student progress
- Collaborating with class teachers to implement differentiation and support strategies
- Designing and delivering individualised learning plans as required
- Assessing, recording, and reporting on student progress while applying findings to refine support
- Promoting academic and pastoral care, contributing to a high-quality learning experience through varied instructional methods
- Boost student independence and personal development, fostering confidence, self-regulation, and attendance
- Ensuring safeguarding standards and compliance with ethical practices while adhering to school policies and the Staff Handbook & Code of Conduct
- Undertaking additional reasonable duties as directed by the Headteacher
- Maintaining health, safety, and welfare for all individuals in the school environment
The role furthermore involves “‘reviewing the Job Description annually, actively participating in supervision sessions, and embracing further training** to enhance professional development.
Role Responsibilities
- Co-create support strategies and tailor resources with classroom teachers
- Develop, present, and adjust learning activities to individual students as part of agreed monitoring frameworks
- Contribute to impactful lesson delivery and differentiated instruction
- Collaborate with teachers to benchmark progress and set new learning objectives
- Deliver pastoral support aligned with school procedures
- Achieve measurable student outcomes through personalised interventions and effective tutoring
- Lead on creating opportunities to foster both learning progression and personal independence
- Maintain high professional standards, conforming to the school’s ethos and conduct expectations
- Manage basic student issues within pre-arranged guidelines
- Take preventative health and safety measures to ensure safety at all times
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About The Lion Works School
The Lion Works School is an independent special education provider, dedicated to connecting the educational needs of students with inclusive advice, resources, and wrapped service. Our mission aligns with the broader goal of supporting children to thrive personally and professionally, providing alternative pathways. We cater to students across Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, and post-16 education—delivering vocational qualifications, BTECs, and GCSE alternatives, ensuring students build foundational skills for long-term success.
Uniting diverse learning approaches, we prioritise:
- Removing barriers to education through personalised paths
- Confidence-building and emotional growth
- Self-regulation strategies
- Consistent attendance and engagement
This school is a vibrant environment, encouraging student passions through...
Note: Safeguarding is a core priority. Applications undergo rigorous checks including DBS clearance, background verification, and references.
Key Requirements
- Government Employment Compliance
- Mandatory adherence to DBS policies—criminal or discipline records related to safeguarding will require explicit disclosure.
- Responsibilities align with exemptions to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 ( applying where children’s welfare is protected).
- Education & Experience
- Qualifications or experience supporting special or behavioural education (not strictly mandatory but preferable)
- Declarations
- Ex-offender adherence policies and equal opportunities policies are of highest importance.
- Professional Integrity
- Commitment to upholding equality, diversity and inclusion principles, and implementing safeguarding best practices at all times within the role.
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Qualifications & Eligibility
- Support contexts where safeguarding has written precedence
- Some routine offences (as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act thresholds) need not be declared; failing post ineligibility criteria may be resulted.
- Staff decisions will balance adherence to British safeguarding laws and equal opportunity framework.
Safeguarding & Equal Opportunities
The school is fully committed to maintaining a secure, non-discriminatory environment for all students, staff, and visitors. Key guidelines include:
- No unlawful discrimination—this extends to religion, disability, and protected characteristics as specified in anti-discrimination law
- Inclusive support mechanisms to prevent disadvantages to the disparage.
- Regular equal opportunity audits to confirm fair representation and access to opportunities
DBS checks are mandatory. All personnel are accountability-bound to ensure both the wellbeing of individuals and the institution.
Benefits & Values
Aimed for impact without barriers, our ethos drives development in accordance with:
- School mission: building a shared foundation, community, and possibilities between learning and life.
- Safeguarding vigilance, ensuring every interaction aligns with protection and pastoral care best interests. Through inclusive educational practices and proactive interventions, our staff help transform challenges into pathways of growth for students.
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