Hourly rate: Teaching Assistant £12.38  

                     Senior Teaching Assistant £13.69 - £14.17 

Hours: various

Location: within 15 miles of home

Contract: Flexible or Fixed term contracts inline with Children’s support packages

Are you a newly qualified teaching assistant looking for work? Are you working in a school where your contract is coming to an end?

About us

Cumberland Council is an ambitious and forward-thinking authority dedicated to shaping a better future for our communities. We are passionate about creating a vibrant future by addressing inequalities, creating thriving economies that work for our residents and protecting our environment.

At the core of our vision is a commitment to our people, with health and well-being being integral to everything we do, underscoring every initiative and ensuring we provide unparalleled support for all.

We can’t do it without you! Come and embark on the journey to a vibrant future with us, where the work you do will make a real impact. Together, let's shape a community that's as dynamic and inclusive as our landscape. Be a part of the transformation!

#WeAreCumberland #Childrenandfamilies

About this opportunity

• To join Cumberland Council’s reputable Learning Support Service (LSS)
• To provide valuable support to schools to enable each child to thrive
• To help children with Educational Health Care Plans to develop their learning and really make a difference
• To help Cumberland Council ensure the Health and Wellbeing of our young people

Key responsibilities

• Deliver a range of learning/skills and/or personal/practical suppo
• Meet needs and/or wellbeing for individuals and/or groups
• Supervise and provide particular support for pupils, including those with special needs, ensuring their safety and access to learning activities
• Assist with the development and implementation of Individual Education/Behaviour Plans and Personal Care programmes
• Establish constructive relationships with pupils and interact with them according to individual needs
• Promote the inclusion and acceptance for all pupils
• Encourage pupils to interact with others and engage in activities led by the teacher
• Set challenging and demanding expectations and promote self-esteem and independence
• Provide feedback to pupils in relation to progress and achievement under guidance of the teacher
  
  

Who we’re looking for

• Recent, proven experience of working with or caring for children of a relevant age in an educational/classroom setting (this may have been on placement for your qualification if recently attained)
• Awareness of practices and procedures within education relating to the welfare, safety, and education of children
• General understanding of Early Years Foundation Stage/National Curriculum and other basic learning programmes and strategies
• Basic understanding of child development and learning
• Desirable to have knowledge of other services to young people
• Ability to self-evaluate learning needs and actively seek learning opportunities
• Desirable to have effective use of ICT to support learning, and be able to use basic technology (computer, video, photocopier)
• Ability to relate well to children and adults
• Able to work constructively as part of a team
• Understanding classroom roles and responsibilities and own position within these
• Articulate essential soft skills needed for the role (eg communication, adaptability, collaboration)
• Promote any development opportunities within the team/service
• Use inclusive language to appeal to a diverse pool of candidates

Fundamentally, we are seeking individuals who embody our organisation's core values: ambitious, collaborative, compassionate, empowering, and innovative. We believe in the power of these values to drive positive change and shape a better future for our communities. Your commitment to these principles will be instrumental in delivering services that are vital to the well-being and prosperity of our residents.

Please click here to view the Teaching Assistant Post Specification

Please click here to view the Senior Teaching Assistant Post Specification

If this sounds like you, then please get in touch!
We believe in cultivating potential over perfection. If this job sounds like you and you resonate with our values we encourage you to apply online, or contact Michelle Thompson via email on michelle.thompson@cumberland.gov.uk / phone 01900 706080 for an informal chat prior to your application.

What we offer  

• Competitive rates of pay with only two pay points and annual pay increase*
• Opportunity to join the generous Local Government Pension Scheme with defined benefit plans securing your future
• Boost your pension with Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (facilitated by AVC Wise)
• Money off your local gym including Better, Newfield Health, The Gym Group and Lifestyle Fitness
• In house staff support networks
• 20% off a Vodafone mobile phone contract for you and up to 5 family and friends
• Various discount schemes including RAC roadside recovery discount and money off local supportive businesses
• Employee assistance programme and access to in-house Occupational Health service including physio treatment and access to external counselling service
• Tusker car leasing salary sacrifice scheme as well as an esteem car loan scheme for essential car users
• Spec Savers eyecare voucher

*In accordance with the National Joint Council for Local Government Services

Application and Interview information

Closing date: Open advert to run until 31^st August 2025

Interview date: throughout the year

Our interview process can accommodate both in-person and virtual formats, with tailored options discussed upon invitation to the interview stage. Preferred for virtual interviews is the use of Microsoft Teams, currently available for new users at no cost. However, should you encounter any challenges accessing this technology, we are open to discussing alternative arrangements prior to the scheduled interviews.

DBS

Conducting Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks is integral to our commitment to creating a safe and secure environment for our staff and the communities we serve. These checks play a crucial role in safeguarding, ensuring that individuals with appropriate qualifications and character are entrusted with roles where they may have access to children and vulnerable people. By prioritising DBS checks, we uphold the highest standards of integrity, reinforcing our dedication to the well-being and trust of those we engage with.

Please note this role involves working in regulated activity with adults and/or Children. It is an offence for people who are barred from working in regulated activity to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with adults and/or Children.

Work-Life balance
Cumberland Council is deeply invested in fostering a work culture that prioritises the well-being and balance of our team members. Embracing flexible and hybrid working models, we empower employees to achieve optimal work-life balance.

Recognising the importance of personal time, we offer a generous holiday allowance, providing ample opportunity for rest and rejuvenation. Additionally, our flexible working hours, including flexitime arrangements, further contribute to a supportive environment where individuals can effectively manage their professional and personal commitments.

Continuing Professional Development

We are committed to nurturing the ongoing growth and professional advancement of our valued team members to fulfil your potential and advance your career. Our comprehensive career development and training offer emphasises continuous learning as a cornerstone for achieving both individual and organisational goals. Through our robust Organisational Development initiatives, we offer a suite of support programmes tailored to meet diverse needs, including participation in our esteemed Aspiring to be a Manager programme and access to our enriching Coaching and Mentoring programmes.

Keeping the people we work with safe
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expect unwavering commitment to this cause from our employees, volunteers, and the Externally Provided Workforce (EPWs). Together, we create a secure environment where every individual is safeguarded and respected.

We welcome applications from everyone
At Cumberland Council, we are dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce, striving to mirror the rich tapestry of the communities we proudly serve. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are devoted in fostering an inclusive, supportive culture that embraces and appreciates our unique differences.

As a proud Disability Confident Employer, we ensure that applicants with disabilities, meeting the essential criteria for this position, are guaranteed an interview as part of our commitment to equal opportunities. Your diverse perspectives and talents contribute to our collective success.

Reasonable Adjustments: We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. If you require any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let either the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team know on; Resourcing@Cumberland.gov.uk. We will ensure that these adjustments are made to accommodate your needs.

Your Voice Matters; Connect, Engage, and Make Your Voice Heard!

We don't just encourage engagement—we celebrate it. That's why we've cultivated a vibrant community of staff networking groups where every voice matters.

These groups are more than just forums—they're hubs of innovation and inclusion, dedicated to sparking fresh ideas, challenging the status quo, and championing equality and fairness for all. From exploring new perspectives to shaping policies that reflect our diverse workforce, our staff networks play a pivotal role in driving positive change.

Join us and become part of something bigger:

• Race Equality
• Rainbow Alliance
• Menopause Support
• Carers Network
• Shine Community
• Wellbeing/Health Advocates
• Be a Change Champion to shape our council's future through transformative initiatives.