Individual Needs Assistant

Brighton College Prep Hove is seeking to appoint an Individual Needs Assistant on a full-time, permanent basis*.

This role will work under the direction of the Head of Learning Support to provide dedicated, child-centred support for a neurodiverse pupil with PDA and allergies. Working closely with teachers, they will use flexible and creative approaches to support learning, emotional regulation, and engagement in the classroom. The role includes promoting positive social relationships and full participation in school life, ensuring allergy-related safety procedures are followed, and monitoring and reporting on the pupil’s progress and development, providing regular feedback to the Head of Learning Support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Communication Support
• Social Understanding and Cooperative Skills
• Curriculum Adaption and Learning Support
• Emotional Regulation and Wellbeing
• Health, Safety and Medical Needs
• Wider SEND Support Duties

Essential Skills and Qualities

• Excellent communication skills.
• Highly organised with strong time management.
• Emotionally intelligent, empathetic and attuned.
• Calm, confident and able to remain regulated under pressure.
• Flexible, proactive and solution focused.
• Able to build strong, trusting relationships with neurodiverse pupils.
• Skilled in co regulation and low demand approaches.
• Understanding of Gestalt Language Processing and declarative language use.
• Knowledge of sensory processing and regulation strategies.
• Ability to adapt learning to multi sensory, flexible formats.
• Knowledge and up to date training in severe allergy management and safety protocols.
• Able to use humour, playfulness and distraction appropriately.
• Enthusiastic, warm and child centred.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working with autistic young people, including those with a PDA profile.
• Experience supporting neurodiverse pupils in school settings.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams (Head of Learning Support, OT, SaLT, pastoral staff).

Hours of Work

36.15 hours per week, 8.00am - 4.00pm with a 45 minute unpaid lunch break Monday to Friday inclusive. This is a term-time only role.

Holiday

Holiday entitlement will be included in the salary for this role. All holiday is to be taken outside of the working weeks.

• This contract is on a permanent basis, subject to continued 1:1 local authority funding.