Teaching Assistant; Visual Impairment

Are you passionate about helping young people with visual impairment access learning, build confidence and become increasingly independent?

Lift Clacton is seeking a caring, enthusiastic and committed Teaching Assistant (Visual Impairment) to join our team. You will work in partnership with teachers and specialist colleagues to support students with visual impairment to access the curriculum, participate fully in school life and achieve their potential.

As a Teaching Assistant (Visual Impairment), you will provide targeted support to students with visual impairment, helping them access lesson content and learning activities while promoting independence, confidence, self esteem and social inclusion.

You will work closely with teachers, the SENDCo and specialist professionals to understand individual students' needs and implement appropriate strategies. This will include supporting the adaptation of learning resources into accessible formats, helping students use assistive technology and accessibility tools, and following specialist advice and programmes where required.

You will also support students to develop strategies for accessing learning and navigating the school environment with increasing confidence, while ensuring that support encourages independence rather than over-reliance on adult assistance.

• Develop an understanding of students' learning needs, including visual impairment and other SEND needs, and support them to access lesson content and learning objectives.
• Adapt support and learning resources to meet the needs of students with visual impairment, including enlarged, tactile or digital materials where appropriate.
• Support students in using appropriate assistive technology and accessibility tools to access learning.
• Follow specialist advice and programmes provided by teachers, QTVIs and other appropriately qualified professionals.
• Help students develop independence, confidence, self‑esteem and effective learning skills.
• Work in partnership with teachers to support high‑quality lessons and contribute to assessment of students' learning.
• Deliver individual and small‑group targeted interventions within agreed parameters.
• Support students to access the school environment, trips, enrichment and wider activities as independently as possible, following specialist guidance where appropriate.
• Build positive relationships with students and consistently support the academy's expectations for behaviour.
• Support students' social, emotional and mental health, wellbeing and personal care in line with academy procedures.
• Monitor students' responses and progress, record achievements and provide feedback to teaching staff and specialist colleagues.

• GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4 or equivalent, or willingness to work towards the relevant functional skills qualifications.
• A Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification or willingness to work towards one.
• A basic understanding of child learning and development, or willingness to learn.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with a calm, patient and empathetic approach.
• The ability to work collaboratively with teachers, SEND colleagues and specialist professionals.
• The ability to adapt support and learning resources to meet the needs of students with visual impairment.
• Confidence in learning and using accessibility tools and assistive technology.
• The ability to follow specialist advice and programmes provided by teachers, QTVIs or other professionals.
• An understanding of the importance of promoting independence and avoiding over‑reliance on adult support.
• Previous experience supporting children or young people with visual impairment, knowledge of assistive technology, experience adapting accessible…