Student Support Worker

As our Student Support Worker in the Direct Entry department, you will play a key part in helping our students overcome barriers and achieve their full potential. Working with learners from diverse backgrounds, you'll offer personalised guidance, encouragement, and practical support, ensuring they develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed both academically and personally. You'll provide tailored one-to-one and group support, assisting students with essential skills such as time management, organisation, and resilience. By helping learners to address challenges and overcome obstacles, you'll ensure they stay motivated and on track to achieve their goals. Your work will also include creating and implementing support plans that are carefully designed to meet the individual needs of each student, offering a proactive and effective approach to their development. In addition to supporting students directly, you'll collaborate closely with teaching staff, course leaders, and other support services to ensure a joined-up approach to student progress. You'll contribute to departmental meetings, share insights on learner progress, and play an active part in planning interventions that promote student success. Your role will also focus on wellbeing, as you create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment where every student feels valued and supported. You'll be a trusted point of contact, helping students navigate personal or academic challenges and guiding them towards additional resources when needed. Health and safety will also be a priority, ensuring that all activities and support sessions are conducted in a professional and secure setting. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in our students' lives. As a Student Support Worker in the Direct Entry department at Barnsley College, you'll help our learners overcome challenges, achieve their potential, and build confidence in a supportive and inclusive environment. If you're passionate about empowering others and contributing to their success, this role offers the perfect blend of challenge and fulfilment.

We are seeking a compassionate, proactive, and dedicated individual who is passionate about supporting students to achieve their full potential. You should have experience working with young people or vulnerable individuals, ideally within an educational, support, or mentoring capacity. Your ability to connect with learners, build trust, and establish positive relationships will be essential to your success in this role. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are vital, as you'll collaborate with students, teaching staff, and other support services to deliver tailored assistance. You should be organised, adaptable, and capable of managing multiple priorities while remaining focused on individual student needs. The ability to identify barriers to learning, implement effective strategies, and provide ongoing guidance will be key to ensuring student progress and wellbeing. Experience or knowledge of safeguarding practices and the ability to apply these in a professional setting is highly desirable. You should also demonstrate patience, resilience, and a genuine interest in creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued. If you are empathetic, approachable, and driven to empower students to overcome challenges and reach their goals, we would love to hear from you. This is an opportunity to join a dedicated team and make a meaningful impact in an inspiring and forward-thinking educational setting. Below is a list of some of the key skills, qualifications and experience we are seeking for this exciting opportunity. Required

• A relevant Level 2 qualification
• Level 3 Teaching qualification (or a commitment to work towards achieving this)
• GCSEs in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 qualifications)
• A strong desire and passion for working with young people, particularly those with challenging behaviours
Preferred
• Degree in Youth Work or a related field
• Vocational qualification in learning difficulties and/or disability awareness
• At least one year of relevant work or voluntary experience
• Experience working with disengaged young people aged 14-16
• Solid understanding of the agencies and services that support young people in reengagement and progression
  
  We offer substantial annual leave entitlement (Up to 47 days per year including bank and public holidays)
• Teachers' Pension Scheme
• Local Government Pension Scheme - with a generous 19.2% employer contribution!
• We invest in our people through funded CPD opportunities, regular staff development training and paid volunteering days
• Career advancement opportunities with tailored support for staff to progress
• 24/7 access to same day appointments with a GP
• Exclusive discounts and cashback for retail, dining and leisure as part of YouatWork
• Access to health cash plans as members of the Westfield Health Scheme or Health Shield
• Discounted college gym membership with onsite facilities
• Supporting employee mental health through access to free counselling services and the Foundations App
• Discounts schemes for greener travel including Northern Rail, Trainline and Cycle to Work
• Free Microsoft Office 365 for personal use on up to five machines
• Access to discounted hair and beauty therapies at our onsite salon
• On site subsidised Starbucks and food outlets offering a variety of dining options
• Our shared purpose - We believe in transforming the lives of both our learners and staff
The Barnsley College Advantage When you join us, you can expect to benefit from "The Barnsley College Advantage". This is the advantage of:
• Being supported to achieve your personal and professional goals
• A range of flexible working opportunities
• Autonomy, Empowerment and Accountability
• Short- and Long-Term development commitments
• Access to experiencing work in a range of areas
• Working in a Value and Behaviour led organisation
• Reward and Recognition
• Having your voice heard at every level
• Comprehensive Wellbeing Support