Learning Support Assistant: Trauma and Attachment Specialist - Term Time

Slade Primary School, Tonbridge

• Ref:KCC886-2155-278S
• Posted:16/06/2026
• Pay:KSA
• Start Date:1 September 2026
• App Close Date:25/06/2026 at 12:00
• Interviews:30 June 2026

Advert

Grade: KSA 

Hours – Monday – Wednesday 8.30am – 3.30pm 

We are seeking to appoint a professional, dedicated and enthusiastic Learning Support Assistant: Trauma and Attachment Specialist to join our team at Slade. 

At Slade, we pride ourselves on providing an inclusive, nurturing environment where every child is supported to thrive. We are committed to meeting the needs of all learners and recognise the importance of understanding how trauma and attachment experiences can impact a child's development, wellbeing and ability to learn. 

We can offer you the opportunity to work with happy, enthusiastic children who are eager to learn, alongside a supportive and dedicated staff team. We are also committed to supporting our employees through high-quality training and professional development opportunities, enabling you to develop your skills and progress in your career. 

We are looking for someone who: 

• Has a genuine passion for working with children and is motivated by helping them achieve their full potential. 

• Has experience of working with children who have experienced trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), or attachment-related difficulties. 

• Has a good understanding of attachment theory and trauma-informed approaches and can apply these effectively to support children's emotional wellbeing, behaviour and learning. 

• Has previous experience of working with children with additional learning needs. 

• Has experience of supporting the development of children's early reading and writing skills. 

• Has an excellent knowledge and understanding of child development and the barriers that can affect learning and engagement. 

• Can build positive, trusting and nurturing relationships with children, helping them to feel safe, valued and ready to learn. 

• Can engage effectively, professionally and confidentially with parents, carers and families. 

• Is able to think creatively when finding solutions and responding to individual needs. 

• Is caring, patient, resilient and committed to supporting children through challenges. 

• Works effectively as part of a team, including colleagues, parents and external agencies. 

• Is committed to ongoing professional development and reflective practice. 

We can offer you: 

• Hardworking, polite and enthusiastic children who are eager to learn. 

• A supportive, inclusive and nurturing working environment. 

• A dedicated and experienced staff team committed to inclusion and pupil wellbeing. 

• Excellent continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities, including training in attachment-aware and trauma-informed practice. 

• The opportunity to make a significant difference to the lives of vulnerable children and their families. 

If you are passionate about supporting children to overcome barriers to learning and helping them to flourish both emotionally and academically, we would be delighted to hear from you. 

Our School and all its personnel are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children. This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service.  

Information about the school

Slade Primary School is nestled behind Tonbridge Castle, close to the Parish Church, the River Medway and the local park, which are all ideal resources for the school to use to inspire and motivate children.

We are a busy, friendly and popular two form entry school with 420 children on role. We also have a Specialist Resource Provision which caters for the needs of children with a severe to profound hearing loss with an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP).

We have a warm and welcoming ethos with high expectations of all our children; aiming to be the best they can be in all aspects of school life. We teach through a broad, balanced and inclusive curriculum that aims to inspire a life-long love of learning, which includes being able to offer all our children a wide range of extra-curriculum activities before and after school.

We are very proud to have our own Forest School at Slade. We recognise the importance of mental and physical well-being and, as well as connecting with nature, the Forest School experience offers multiple benefits. The holistic approach helps children develop many personal and social skills that can be difficult to teach in the classroom. We also have a designated space, called the Wobble Room, where our children can go when they are either feeling low or upset to help them get back into the green zone and in a good place to learn again.

We encourage all our staff to continuously improve their practice through training and development; to work together to be the best they can be to provide for our children.

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Enhanced DBS disclosure is required for this post. Please note, to ensure equality for all applicants, we are unable to accept applications and CVs forwarded directly to the school.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Viki Garrett
• Address:The Slade, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1HR
• Telephone: (01732) 350354
• Email: HR@slade.kent.sch.uk

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Job Description