Learning support assistant Review

I’m learning support assistant in a (SLD) special needs primary school. I work in a classroom with maximum of 9 children.

I had no experience with working with special needs children, and I’ve learnt massively about these needs, behaviours etc. I have learnt physio skills, to be used with children, which I didn’t think I’d learn!

I enjoy the role I have as I don’t feel like an ‘apprentice’. The work I do with the children is very rewarding

I find this course very manageable, as my written assignments had plenty of time to complete them. Smart assessor is easy to use and upload things. One to one sessions with my tutor are scheduled every month.

My boss at work has a heavy workload with the current situation but does arrange meetings for any personal issues, but I’m lucky to have a direct line manager who I can speak to for anything and has supported me in my course.

I have 2 hour meetings every month with my tutor Aimee, and I can contact her by email too. She works very hard to ensure that I’m on track and will check up that. LMP have done zoom sessions to help us.

The qualification will help me in my role as I have shown that I have the right skills for my job. Different assignments e.g safeguarding and health & safety, will help me in different situations

There is a well-being team at my job and they have organised different social activities. And we have a yearly day where we can do different activities like yoga, painting etc

Yes

I had done an apprenticeship beforehand and the differences between the two training providers are clear, my last training provider hardly communicated and I didn’t have a tutor most of the time. There is more support with LMP and more contact.

Make sure you do your research on what you’re applying too, have chats with LMP to see if that’s right decision. Doing an apprenticeship is really good as you have a job and gain a qualification, you also gain new relationships!