Job summary Salary:£26,409 - £27,711 pro rata Hours per week:21 hours Interview date:Thursday 12 June 2025 Education and Skills - Building Bright Futures Our esteemed Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement team are searching for a dedicated Teaching Assistant to provide invaluable support to pupils from Traveller heritages across Wiltshire. Main duties of the job This exciting opportunity allows you to leverage your skills to empower Traveller children, foster positive partnerships with families, and contribute to their academic success. As a Specialist Teaching Assistant, you will be based in various schools throughout the county. Your primary role is to enable effective curriculum access for students, providing vital guidance to school staff and helping them meet the unique requirements of each student to support their education. Additionally, you will bridge the gap between schools and families, enhancing parental involvement in students' academic journeys. You will have knowledge and experience of the English education system, knowledge of (or at least a willingness to learn about) Traveller cultures and a strong commitment to inclusion, equality and improving the outcomes for young people. You will have a good standard of education to NQF level 3 (e.g. A Level) or equivalent or relevant experience. Applications from candidates of Traveller heritage would be very welcome. About us Why us? Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Thats why we focus on getting the things that matter to our people right.Explore more benefits here! Details Date posted 19 May 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £26,409 to £27,711 a year pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Term time hours Reference number F0041-4080 Job locations County Hall Bythesea Rd Trowbridge Wiltshire BA14 8JN Job description Job responsibilities Specific duties and responsibilities include: Role with parents and children: To provide support within the classroom, in group sessions and in 1 to 1 sessions to improve the achievement of children from all Traveller backgrounds. When appropriate, to assist with or lead targeted intervention with children from Traveller backgrounds. To plan and deliver learning experiences well-adapted to individual childrens academic and cultural needs. To support pupils learning through encouraging motivation and building self-esteem. To establish a supportive and trusting relationship with the children and their parents which offers an appropriate level of support through listening, advice and guidance. To liaise with parents and education professionals about the particular needs of individual children and how they can be met. To help parents to understand the education system, what they can expect of schools, and what schools expect of parents. To encourage and support families in ensuring regular school attendance. To help to plan and deliver effective induction programmes for children from Traveller backgrounds. To collect and record progress data of children receiving support. To promote understanding and celebration of Traveller culture within the wider student body. Role with school staff: To raise staff awareness of the linguistic and cultural backgrounds of pupils. To help schools access advice on good practice regarding EAL, diversity and equality issues. To assist in the planning and delivery of cultural awareness training. To keep a written record of each session and provide regular feedback to EMTAS and school staff as appropriate. To facilitate effective partnerships between home and school, including supporting school colleagues and other professionals on visits to Traveller sites and other home visits. Job description Job responsibilities Specific duties and responsibilities include: Role with parents and children: To provide support within the classroom, in group sessions and in 1 to 1 sessions to improve the achievement of children from all Traveller backgrounds. When appropriate, to assist with or lead targeted intervention with children from Traveller backgrounds. To plan and deliver learning experiences well-adapted to individual childrens academic and cultural needs. To support pupils learning through encouraging motivation and building self-esteem. To establish a supportive and trusting relationship with the children and their parents which offers an appropriate level of support through listening, advice and guidance. To liaise with parents and education professionals about the particular needs of individual children and how they can be met. To help parents to understand the education system, what they can expect of schools, and what schools expect of parents. To encourage and support families in ensuring regular school attendance. To help to plan and deliver effective induction programmes for children from Traveller backgrounds. To collect and record progress data of children receiving support. To promote understanding and celebration of Traveller culture within the wider student body. Role with school staff: To raise staff awareness of the linguistic and cultural backgrounds of pupils. To help schools access advice on good practice regarding EAL, diversity and equality issues. To assist in the planning and delivery of cultural awareness training. To keep a written record of each session and provide regular feedback to EMTAS and school staff as appropriate. To facilitate effective partnerships between home and school, including supporting school colleagues and other professionals on visits to Traveller sites and other home visits. Person Specification Experience Essential Previous relevant and practical experience. A thorough understanding of relevant procedures and working practices. Good knowledge of specialist function relevant to service area. Excellent ICT skills including use of Microsoft applications and specialist systems. Practical knowledge of a range of procedures and specialist medical / equipment to support clients. Good knowledge of Wiltshire Council professional groups and external agencies as relevant to the role. Ability to build and maintain constructive working relationships with a range of people. Sensitivity and empathy to build trusting and supportive relationships with clients and families. Care skills and basic knowledge of mobility, nutrition and financial issues in order to provide practical, emotional support to clients and families. Proven ability to follow routines, carry out set care plans, record and monitor changes in client condition. Ability to manage challenging behaviour in clients. Good literacy and numeracy. Proven ability to communicate one to one and in small groups with relevant client group. Qualifications Essential Good standard of education to NQF level 3 (e.g. A Level) or equivalent or relevant experience. Ability to relate well to children and adults. Experience of working effectively in a support role or similar within a school or local authority educational team. Evidence of ability to work both as a team member in schools and also on own initiative. Good communication skills (oral and written) in English. An understanding of the needs and challenges faced by children and families from Traveller backgrounds. An understanding of the cultural background of travelling communities. Desirable Knowledge and experience of delivering the current English national curriculum. Experience of working with minority communities. Lived experience of Traveller cultures and lifestyles. Qualifications Essential Good standard of education to NQF level 3 (e.g. A Level) or equivalent or relevant experience. Ability to relate well to children and adults. Experience of working effectively in a support role or similar within a school or local authority educational team. Evidence of ability to work both as a team member in schools and also on own initiative. Good communication skills (oral and written) in English. An understanding of the needs and challenges faced by children and families from Traveller backgrounds. An understanding of the cultural background of travelling communities. Desirable Knowledge and experience of delivering the current English national curriculum. Experience of working with minority communities. Lived experience of Traveller cultures and lifestyles. Person Specification Experience Essential Previous relevant and practical experience. A thorough understanding of relevant procedures and working practices. Good knowledge of specialist function relevant to service area. Excellent ICT skills including use of Microsoft applications and specialist systems. Practical knowledge of a range of procedures and specialist medical / equipment to support clients. Good knowledge of Wiltshire Council professional groups and external agencies as relevant to the role. Ability to build and maintain constructive working relationships with a range of people. Sensitivity and empathy to build trusting and supportive relationships with clients and families. Care skills and basic knowledge of mobility, nutrition and financial issues in order to provide practical, emotional support to clients and families. Proven ability to follow routines, carry out set care plans, record and monitor changes in client condition. Ability to manage challenging behaviour in clients. Good literacy and numeracy. Proven ability to communicate one to one and in small groups with relevant client group. Qualifications Essential Good standard of education to NQF level 3 (e.g. A Level) or equivalent or relevant experience. Ability to relate well to children and adults. Experience of working effectively in a support role or similar within a school or local authority educational team. Evidence of ability to work both as a team member in schools and also on own initiative. Good communication skills (oral and written) in English. An understanding of the needs and challenges faced by children and families from Traveller backgrounds. An understanding of the cultural background of travelling communities. Desirable Knowledge and experience of delivering the current English national curriculum. Experience of working with minority communities. Lived experience of Traveller cultures and lifestyles. Qualifications Essential Good standard of education to NQF level 3 (e.g. A Level) or equivalent or relevant experience. Ability to relate well to children and adults. Experience of working effectively in a support role or similar within a school or local authority educational team. Evidence of ability to work both as a team member in schools and also on own initiative. Good communication skills (oral and written) in English. An understanding of the needs and challenges faced by children and families from Traveller backgrounds. An understanding of the cultural background of travelling communities. Desirable Knowledge and experience of delivering the current English national curriculum. Experience of working with minority communities. Lived experience of Traveller cultures and lifestyles. Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer details Employer name Wiltshire Council Address County Hall Bythesea Rd Trowbridge Wiltshire BA14 8JN Employer's website http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab) Employer details Employer name Wiltshire Council Address County Hall Bythesea Rd Trowbridge Wiltshire BA14 8JN Employer's website http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab). Location : County Hall, Bythesea Rd, BA14 8JN Trowbridge, Wiltshire, United Kingdom