Learning Support Assistant (LSA) – Alternative Provision
Location: Bexley
Start Date: September 2026
Contract: Full-Time, Long-Term
Salary: £93 - £100 per day (PAYE), dependent on experience
Do you want to support young people in a setting where relationships matter as much as academic progress?
Where every small achievement is celebrated, and every young person is valued for who they are, not just the challenges they face?
We are working with a specialist alternative provision in Bexley that supports young people who may struggle in mainstream education. Through creative, therapeutic, and arts-based approaches, the school helps students re-engage with learning, develop confidence, and build the skills they need to thrive both in and beyond education.
The environment is nurturing, inclusive, and designed to help students feel safe, understood, and ready to learn. Students benefit from small class sizes, personalised support, and a curriculum that balances academic learning with creativity, wellbeing, and personal development.
What is it like to work in this type of school?
Working in an alternative provision is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be challenging. You must be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in supporting vulnerable young people and understand the barriers to education that many students may face.
Staff are expected to:
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Build positive relationships with students who may have had difficult experiences in education
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Support students' social, emotional, and academic development
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Use creativity, flexibility, and initiative to engage learners
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Manage challenging behaviour calmly and professionally
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Work closely with families and external professionals
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Promote both educational progress and emotional wellbeing
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Contribute to a positive, safe, and inclusive learning environment
Why this school stands out:
- Creative and therapeutic approach: Students engage in arts-based learning experiences that help develop confidence, communication skills, and emotional resilience
- Small class sizes: High levels of support allow staff to build meaningful relationships and tailor support to individual needs
- Collaborative team culture: Teachers, learning support assistants, mentors, and specialist professionals work together to help students succeed
- Focus on wellbeing: Student welfare is at the heart of everything the school does, with a strong emphasis on safeguarding, inclusion, and personal growth
- Professional development: Ongoing training opportunities, including safeguarding, behaviour support, SEMH, and alternative provision best practice
What skills do we look for in staff?
Because of the nature of the students we support, we are looking for people who have:
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Experience working with children or young people
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A strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection
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Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
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Patience, resilience, and emotional intelligence
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A genuine passion for supporting vulnerable learners
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An interest in creative, arts-based, or therapeutic approaches to education
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Experience supporting students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs is highly desirable
Ideal backgrounds include:
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Learning Support Assistant/ Teaching Assistant
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Youth Worker/ Behaviour Mentor
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Arts Facilitator/ Sports Coach
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Psychology Graduate/ Education or Youth Services Professional
Why apply now?
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a values-driven organisation that is transforming the educational experiences of young people who need an alternative pathway to success.
You will have the opportunity to make a genuine difference every day, helping students rebuild confidence, develop positive relationships, and rediscover a love of learning.
If you are passionate about supporting young people and want to work in a setting where your contribution has a lasting impact, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today or contact Jamie Martinez at Parker Smith Inclusion for a confidential discussion.