Overview

Education support worker – Fixed Term – Part Time

ID: 330641
Job Specialism: College
Location: Bedford
Salary: £14
Closing Date: Thursday, 26th November 2026

Education Support Worker – Sense College Bedford

Keep the career you care about. Get your evenings and weekends back.

Are you passionate about supporting young people but looking for a role that offers a better work-life balance?

At Sense College Bedford, you can make a meaningful difference to young people’s lives while enjoying a part-time, daytime working pattern in a supportive specialist education environment.

We’re looking for a caring, enthusiastic and motivated Education Support Worker to support young people with complex disabilities as they develop their independence, build confidence and prepare for adulthood.

Whether you already have experience in education, health or social care, or you’re looking to develop your career in specialist education, this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

About the role

  • Location: Sense College Bedford, Suites A & B, Emerald Court, Pilgrims Centre, Brickhill Drive, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 7PZ

  • Salary: £14 per hour

  • Contract: Fixed term for one year, with the potential for an additional year depending on student numbers

  • Hours: 22.5 hours per week

  • Working hours: 9am–4:30pm

  • Annual working pattern: 39 weeks per year

As an Education Support Worker, you’ll work closely with learners to help them achieve the outcomes identified in their Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), keeping their individual needs, choices and aspirations at the heart of everything you do.

You’ll be part of a dedicated team creating engaging, inclusive learning experiences that help young people develop the skills and confidence they need for greater independence.

What will you be doing?

No two days will be quite the same. You’ll support learners with a range of complex disabilities, helping them participate in meaningful educational activities and achieve their individual learning goals.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Supporting learners to achieve their EHCP outcomes, helping them develop confidence, independence and essential life skills.

  • Helping deliver engaging educational activities, adapting your approach to meet individual needs, abilities and interests.

  • Supporting communication and participation, using personalised approaches and developing new communication skills where needed.

  • Encouraging learners to make choices, develop independence and take an active role in their education.

  • Providing respectful support with personal care, health and wellbeing where required.

  • Contributing to person-centred planning and supporting learners to work towards their individual goals.

  • Maintaining accurate, up-to-date records of learner progress and support.

  • Working collaboratively with tutors and colleagues to create a positive, inclusive learning environment.

Develop your skills and progress your career

At Sense, we believe that supporting others to learn should also be an opportunity to keep developing yourself.

You’ll have opportunities to:

  • Develop specialist SEND knowledge, gaining experience supporting young people with complex disabilities.

  • Build your communication skills, including learning approaches such as BSL, Makaton and other communication methods where appropriate.

  • Access over 100 online and face-to-face training opportunities, helping you strengthen your professional skills.

  • Explore future career development, with ongoing training and development opportunities.

  • Learn from experienced colleagues in a supportive specialist education environment.

Whether you’re looking to build on your existing experience or explore a future career in specialist education, this role offers an opportunity to develop valuable skills while making a difference.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who is compassionate, reliable and committed to providing genuinely person-centred support.

Essential requirements:

  • Level 2 qualifications in English and Maths, or equivalent.

  • Previous experience of person-centred planning and supporting individuals to achieve their goals.

  • Experience maintaining accurate and up-to-date records.

  • Previous experience providing personal care, with the ability and willingness to support learners with their personal care needs.

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships.

  • The ability to work effectively as part of a team while using your own initiative.

  • A positive, flexible approach to supporting learners with different needs and abilities.

  • A commitment to inclusive, person-centred education and support.

Desirable skills and experience:

  • Experience supporting people with sensory impairments, autism or learning disabilities.

  • Knowledge of British Sign Language (BSL), Makaton or other communication methods.

Don’t have experience with specialist communication methods? That’s okay! These are desirable rather than essential, and relevant training will be provided.

Why join Sense?

Alongside a rewarding role where you can help young people achieve their potential, you’ll have access to a range of employee benefits, including:

  • Part-time, daytime working, helping you maintain a healthy work-life balance.

  • 39-week annual working pattern.

  • 24 days’ holiday plus bank holiday entitlement, increasing with length of service (pro rata where applicable).

  • Free DBS check.

  • Access to over 100 online and face-to-face training opportunities.

  • Leadership and management development opportunities.

  • Ongoing professional development.

  • Flexible working and family-friendly policies.

  • Employee referral scheme.

  • Health and wellbeing support.

  • Workplace pension.

  • Employee discounts.

About Sense

Sense is a leading disability charity, here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life.

Together, we drive change, building a future where everyone has the power, choice and control to live the lives we choose.

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and a charity where people can grow their skills and careers in a supportive, flexible environment.

As part of our new three-year strategy, we’re delivering a transformational plan focused on strengthening support for disabled people with complex needs, driving social change and creating a fairer, more equal future.

For further information, visit: Transforming Sense, together: our three-year plan

Our values

Our values shape the way we behave and work alongside disabled people with complex needs to break down barriers:

  • We’re creating change.

  • We’re always learning.

  • We’re better together.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re looking for a rewarding role where you can help young people build confidence, develop independence and achieve their potential, we’d love to hear from you.

Please complete your application, ensuring your supporting statement demonstrates how your skills and experience meet the essential criteria outlined in the Person Specification.

We recommend reading the candidate guidelines, job description and person specification before applying.

Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close vacancies early.

If you require any assistance or adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment Team on 0121 393 4529 or recruitment@sense.org.uk.

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment.

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check with a children’s barred list check, alongside a Section 128 check.

We particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities.

Sense is committed to equality of opportunity and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of our staff, volunteers and the people we work with.

We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values and our belief that everyone should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

No agency submissions please. Any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own, and no fee will be payable.

Precise Location: Suites A & B, Emerald Court, Pilgrims Centre, Brickhill Drive, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 7PZ, United Kingdom

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