Suffolk County Council
Specialist Learning Support Assistant - Medical Needs
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- Suffolk County Council
- Address: Countywide in Suffolk, Hybrid and community working
- Salary: £28,598 per annum (pro rata)
- Hours: Posts 1 and 2: 37 hours per week and Post 3: 28 hours per week (all posts term time only working)
- Contract: Posts 1 and 2: Permanent and Post 3: Fixed Term Contract or Secondment up to 15 October 2027 as Secondment cover
At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. As a Specialist Learning Support Assistant (Medical Needs) in our Inclusion Services, you’ll see first-hand the impact of your work on children and young people with complex medical needs across Suffolk. By providing specialist support, you’ll help pupils access education, build confidence, and thrive in a safe and supportive environment by providing the medical interventions they require by providing the medical interventions they require.
Reimagine the possibilities.
Your role and responsibilities
In this rewarding and varied role, you’ll work closely with children, families, schools, and healthcare professionals to support pupils with complex medical needs on a one-to-one basis. No two days are the same, but every day brings the opportunity to make a real difference.
- Support children and young people aged 2½ to 19 with complex medical needs to access education.
- Deliver medical interventions in line with individual healthcare plans, such as administering medication, gastrostomy or naso-gastric feeding, oxygen therapy, and tracheostomy care (full training provided).
- Assist with moving and handling, personal care, and meeting pupils’ daily hygiene, nutritional and developmental needs.
- Maintain accurate records and contribute to quality assurance processes.
- Build positive working relationships with families, schools, care coordinators, and other professionals.
- Identify and escalate safeguarding or risk concerns appropriately.
You will need
We’re looking for people who are compassionate, adaptable, and motivated to support children and young people to achieve their best.
Ideally you will have:
- a suitable Level 3 qualification or at least 2 years’ equivalent experience in healthcare
- an awareness and understanding of medical conditions such as epilepsy.
- experience of working directly with children or young people and their families
- good organisational skills and the ability to keep clear and accurate records
- the confidence to work independently, while knowing when to seek guidance
- a willingness to undertake specialist and mandatory training
- a genuine commitment to making a positive difference for children and families.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile, which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.
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If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
The team
Our Specialist Learning Support Service supports children and young people with complex medical needs to access education across Suffolk. You’ll be part of a supportive and knowledgeable team, managed and trained by qualified children’s nurses (Care Coordinators).
We’re proud of the care, expertise, and teamwork that underpin everything we do. Training is provided to help you develop specialist medical skills, and you’ll be supported to grow in confidence and capability within the role.
Community-based and flexible working are part of how we operate, supporting a healthy work–life balance wherever possible.
Empowering Everyone
We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report [https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/our-aims-and-transformation-programmes/the-councils-equality-and-inclusion-commitment-to-you].
For more information
Please contact Olivia Rudland (She/Her), Clinical Manager for the Specialist Learning Support Service, for a casual conversation. You can contact her by either calling 01473 260967 or emailing olivia.rudland@suffolk.gov.uk
If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word) [https://sccrecruit.blob.core.windows.net/assets/SCC/23245-Specialist-Learning-Support-Assistant.docx].
Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word) [https://sccrecruit.blob.core.windows.net/assets/SCC/Other-Docs/SupportingStatementTemplate.docx].
- Tell us about a time you supported a child or young person with complex needs on a one-to-one basis. How did you plan the support, adapt during the day, and ensure the pupil could access education?
- Tell us about a situation where you identified a safeguarding concern or risk. What did you notice and what actions did you take to raise or escalate the concern?
- Give an example of a challenging situation involving a child or family and how you handled it. How did you remain calm, communicate effectively, and support a positive outcome?
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Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).
Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.
For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page [https://www.suffolkjobsdirect.org/#en/sites/CX_3001/pages/657088].
Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI [https://www.suffolkjobsdirect.org/#en/sites/CX_3001/pages/764097] to understand what’s acceptable.
Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team by either emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages [https://www.suffolkjobsdirect.org/#en/sites/CX_3001/pages/757078].
Closing date: 11.30 pm, 2 September 2026.
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid #IND1
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you’ll enjoy:
- up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
- membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
- performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
- training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
- a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
- diverse and active staff networks
- flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
Plus lots more!
If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk) [https://careers.suffolk.gov.uk/].
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