Job Introduction
Term-time only plus one week (40 weeks)
Flexible working patterns considered.
We are seeking a highly motivated and personable Complex Needs and Therapies Assistant to join our dedicated Learning Support team and play a vital role within the Resourced Provision for pupils with physical disabilities.
The role is predominantly non-class based, focusing on delivering personalised care and therapy support to pupils with complex physical needs to facilitate learning and inclusion. You will be crucial to ensuring the pupils’ safety and dignity, empowering all pupils to achieve their full potential.
There may also be an occasional need to support pupils in class when required.
Adaptable and flexible, the successful applicant will demonstrate a genuine caring and patient nature, be a strong team player and able to communicate confidently with parents, carers and multi-disciplinary teams.
At Portchester Community School, inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do. Our pupils within the resourced provision are fully integrated into mainstream lessons, and this role offers the opportunity to make a real difference in their educational journey. Our Resourced Provision LSAs support pupils with a range of physical disabilities to become successful, confident and responsible individuals.
The Role:
As a Complex Needs and Therapies Assistant, you will:
- Provide dedicated support to pupils with physical disabilities, ensuring individual personal care needs are met with sensitivity and professionalism
- Assist pupils with personal and intimate care needs, including bathroom support
- Support pupils with physiotherapy exercise as directed by therapist and the physiotherapy co-ordinator
- Assist with school-based occupational therapy needs as identified by NHS professionals, including the safe use of specialist equipment
- Collaborate closely with teachers, NHS professionals and the school’s physiotherapy co-ordinator
- Report any concerns related to pupil welfare promptly and appropriately in line with safeguarding practices
- Be trained by us in moving and handling to support the full range of needs within our Resourced Provision including supporting the personal and intimate care needs of pupils with physical disabilities
What We’re Looking For:
- A caring and adaptable individual who enjoys working with young people
- Someone who can build positive relationships and support pupils’ academic and social development
- A team player with excellent communication skills
What We Offer:
- A welcoming and inclusive community school
- A strong commitment to staff development and career progression
- Relevant training in physical disability support, physiotherapy techniques and safeguarding
- A calm and supportive environment, graded ‘Good’ by Ofsted (January 2024) with an ‘Outstanding’ rating for Personal Development
- A resourced provision that enriches our school and offers a unique, rewarding experience for staff and pupils alike
- A full and comprehensive induction programme for all new staff
We also have a nursery and pre-school as part of our school community, reflecting our commitment to supporting children at every stage of their education.
Interested? We’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions about the school or the role, please email our SENCo, Mrs Howell: k.howell@portchester.hants.sch.uk
For further information about the post, please visit our website at www.portchester.hants.sch.uk where an application pack is available under the ‘About Us’ menu, or email: recruitment@portchester.hants.sch.uk
Please email your completed application to recruitment@portchester.hants.sch.uk. Please 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.
Closing Date: Friday 21 November 2025
We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
Online searches will be completed on all shortlisted candidates as part of the recruitment process.
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:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dbs-filtering-guidance
Safer Recruitment
We are 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.
