East Sussex County Council
Individual Needs Assistant (Western Road Community Primary School)
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Hours of work: 18 hours per week
Working pattern: Part-time, Term-time only (working for 39 weeks per year plus 3 weeks annual leave, which will increase after 5 years' continuous service)
(As the position is part-time/term-time only, the above salary will be pro rata)
Fixed term for: 1 year
Closing date: 17th August 2026 noon
Western Road Primary School (BN7 1TR, Lewes) Phone: 01273 473013 Email: head@westernroad.e-sussex.sch.uk [head@westernroad.e-sussex.sch.uk] Website: https://western-road.eschools.co.uk/
Please note, we do not accept CVs.
Role Description:
EYFS Individual Needs Assistant to support communication and engagement for a pupil with profound hearing loss, required for a September start (18 hours per week).
Western Road is an innovative and popular school with a passionate belief in the development of the whole child. We are ambitious for our children and embrace learning with enthusiasm, determination, and confidence.
We are seeking a compassionate, dedicated, and (ideally) experienced Individual Needs Assistant to support a pupil starting school in September, who has profound hearing loss. The role will involve working closely with the pupil to facilitate communication, promote independence, and ensure equal access to learning and daily activities. It will involve supporting their use of cochlear implants, a radio aid, and their use of British Sign Language (BSL) as a method of communication.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide one-to-one and small group support tailored to individual needs.
- Use British Sign Language (BSL) to support effective communication.
- Assist with classroom activities, social interaction, and personal development.
- Supervision of movement around the school, particularly with steps, to support balance difficulties.
- Work collaboratively with parents, teachers, support staff, and external professionals.
- Encourage independence and confidence in the individual.
- Adapt resources and communication methods to meet specific needs.
- Daily monitoring and checks of cochlear implant equipment and batteries.
- Assist with teachers and other professionals as appropriate, in the classroom.
- Maintain a system of recording child’s progress, in conjunction with class teachers and/or other professionals.
- Provide regular feedback to class teachers and school SENCo, contribute to reviews of child's progress, and participate in the planning and evaluation of the programme of support.
- Be aware of school policies and procedures and attend relevant in-service training.
- Be aware of confidential issues linked to home/pupil/teacher/school work and to keep confidences appropriately.
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Ideal Candidate:
- Experience working in Key Stage 1 or Early Years.
- Experience supporting individuals with hearing impairments and/or additional needs.
- Ability to communicate effectively with a range of people in a clear, concise, and accurate manner, changing messages to suit different audiences.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- An understanding of learning through play.
- Experience delivering or supporting interventions.
- A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
Desirable Skills:
- Signing British Sign Language (BSL) at Level 3, although we would welcome applicants with a Level 1 or 2 qualification.
- Knowledge of safeguarding procedures.
- Additional relevant qualifications e.g. SEND support.
- Experience which demonstrates commitment to equal opportunities.
- Knowledge of school processes and procedures.
What We Offer:
- A supportive and welcoming school community.
- Opportunities for professional development and training.
- A positive, inclusive, and child-centred learning environment.
A tour of the school can be requested as part of the interview process. Visits to the school are also welcome so that you can see our great school in action – please telephone 01273 473013 or email head@westernroad.e-sussex.sch.uk to book an appointment.
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The school is committed to recruiting with care; safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and all staff share this commitment.
Interviews will take place in the following week.
Additional Information:
This post is covered by the Childcare Disqualification Regulations 2018.
The school will need to ensure that they are not knowingly employing a person who is disqualified under the 2018 Regulations in connection with relevant childcare provision. Accordingly, the successful candidate will be required to demonstrate to the school, by completing a self-declaration form as part of the pre-employment checks process, that they have not been disqualified under the 2018 Regulations.
If the preferred candidate is found to be disqualified under the 2018 Regulations, the offer of employment will be subject to the application by the preferred candidate to Ofsted for a waiver and the receipt of a waiver from Ofsted.
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record.
All school based staff have the responsibility for promoting the safeguarding and welfare of children. All school staff should be aware of the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and work in accordance with this document at all times.
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