Job Introduction
Communication Support Worker (CSW)
Permanent, 32.5 hours per week
Term Time only plus one week (40 weeks)
Start Date: 1st September 2026
We are seeking a highly motivated, personable and experienced Communication Support worker to join the Learning Support Department with a specific remit to support a pupil with a hearing impairment on a 1:1 basis in mainstream lessons.
As a CSW you will be responsible for supporting the communication in class and whole school environments, as well as supporting development of resources to support communication access within lessons. Working closely with the SENCO, teaching staff and external professionals, you will deliver targeted interventions, support the development of communication strategies and help remove barriers to learning.
This role would suit a candidate who is passionate about inclusive education and keen to further develop their expertise as a CSW in a secondary mainstream setting. We are seeking a member of staff with experience and qualifications in BSL to at least a level 3 standard to sign with Sign Supported English.
Essential Qualifications Required
Educated to GCSE Level 4 (or above) OR work experience deemed to have brought the role holder to a comparable level.
We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience of working as a CSW (desirable)
- Has evidence of appropriate and relevant professional development
- Is organised and able to act on own initiative and prioritise workload
- Has excellent interpersonal skills, including observation, listening and empathy skills
- Enjoys working as part of a team
- Is committed to supporting the school’s ethos and values
- Is willing to continue with own professional development
We offer:
- A supportive and welcoming school community
- A school with a calm and considered environment
- A school that is moving towards outstanding
- Effective training and support
- A positive working environment
- A school that pupils, staff and the community feel proud of
- Membership of a strong staff body
- A generous holiday and pension package as a Hampshire County Council employee.
The role will involve:
- Ensuring audio equipment is ready for daily use
- In-class support including CSW support
- Providing sign support for school activities outside of lessons such as on school trips, assemblies and wider school activities
- Liaison with the SENCo regarding pupil needs
- To attend relevant Annual Reviews of EHCPs.
- To develop wider school staff training opportunities
We are a growing 11 – 16 comprehensive school. Graded ‘good’ by Ofsted in our most recent inspection (January 2024) and graded as ‘outstanding’ for Personal Development. We pride ourselves in being highly inclusive and pupil focused. We were awarded the prestigious National SMSC Quality Mark Gold Award, for the second time in April 2024. We are very proud of our pupils and their achievements.
Within the school we also have a resourced provision for physically disabled pupils who are integrated fully into the life of the school, which brings a richness and variety to the curriculum and adds to our extensive after school provision. We are proud of the way we address the needs of all of our pupils.
As a community school we also have a nursery and a pre-school.
Visits to the school are welcome as well as informal discussions to support and inform your application. Please email recruitment@portchester.hants.sch.uk or call 023 9236 4399, to make arrangements.
To apply:
An Application Pack can be downloaded from our website at www.portchester.hants.sch.uk/vacancies or email: recruitment@portchester.hants.sch.uk
Please email your completed application to recruitment@portchester.hants.sch.uk and return the equalities monitoring form in line with the details shown on the form.
Please be aware that a Hampshire County Council application form must be completed, as CVs are not accepted.
Applications will be considered on receipt and suitable candidates invited for interview. We reserve the right to withdraw the advertisement early if the vacancy is filled before the closing date.
Online searches will form part of the pre-employment checks on shortlisted candidates.
We are committed to creating a diverse workforce and applications are encouraged regardless of sex, race, religion, belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, age, disability, marriage or civil partnership.
This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 because it is a post which involves working directly with children or young people. If shortlisted for interview you are therefore required to declare whether you have any criminal convictions (or cautions or bind-overs) including those which are ‘spent’. The amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’. This means that they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Disclosure and Barring Service website.
Safer Recruitment
Portchester Community School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.
