Learning Support Assistant (LSA)

Salary: Salary is negotiable and based on experience

Type: Full Time, Permanent, Term-time only

You already know how to reach young people - now take the next step and help teach them, too. The move from adolescence into adult life can be daunting - especially for young people who've experienced disrupted education or faced challenges in confidence, relationships, or mental health. At New Meaning Training, we support learners aged 16-25 to take practical steps toward independence, employability, and personal growth. And this year, we're launching something exciting: a brand new centre in Milton Keynes, built specifically for learners who need a different kind of education setting.

We're looking for a Learning Support Assistant (LSA) who can bring empathy, consistency, and a calm, motivating presence to our team. You'll work across all four of our programme areas in Milton Keynes: Creative Art & Design, Construction Multiskills, Motor Mechanics, and our Boost Workskills programme (which supports learners with life skills, communication, confidence, and Functional Skills in English and Maths).

This is a varied and hands on role - ideal for someone who already knows how to build relationships with young people and wants to play a more meaningful role in their education journey. You might currently work as a TA in a secondary school or have supported young people in youth work, mentoring or care settings. If you have emotional intelligence, patience and a belief in what young people can achieve with the right support, we'll provide the training and encouragement for you to thrive.

Many of our learners have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and their profiles vary - including autism, ADHD, anxiety, learning difficulties, and social or emotional needs. What they all have in common is a need for trusted adults who can help them rebuild confidence and move forward on their own terms. Some of our learners just need a little belief from someone else to begin believing in themselves. If that's something you can give, we'd love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Run small 1:1 or group interventions named on the EHCP.
• Deescalate situations as they arise.
• Support tutors to adjust lesson activities for learners.
• Support learners with their social and emotional development
• Offer day to day support to learner's mental health and wellbeing.
• Working in accordance with and full understanding of NMT's safeguarding protocols and procedures
• Encourage and reinforce to the young people the links between regular attendance, participation, effort, and positive outcomes.
• Support tutors by helping learners on a one to one basis with their learning programme which may also include Maths, English and Employability Skills
• Work as part of a team to organise practical life skills activities that enable the young people to strengthen their independence and progress to employment and/or further training.
• Work as part of a team to generate creative ideas for how you or other team members can support young people that can be difficult to engage.

About Us:

New Meaning Training (NMT) offers education with a difference. We are an alternative education provider dedicated to helping young people aged 16-25 discover their strengths and develop the confidence and skills to earn their own living.

For the academic year, around 300 young people from Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, and Berkshire will join one of our programmes. Many of these students are referred by secondary schools, pupil referral units, and Special Education Needs settings.

Our journey began in 2015 with the opening of our first centre in High Wycombe, originally known as "Toolshed." Ten years on, NMT continues to grow and with two new centres opening in September 2025 it reaches seven centres in total.

The new centre at Milton Keynes will offer four programmes; Creative Art & Design, Motor Mechanics, Construction Multiskills and Boost Workskills . All incorporate functional skills qualifications in Maths and English, along with tutorials to support our well rounded approach. We also provide a Transition Support programme for young people with EHCPs who are not yet ready for a learning setting.

NMT tailors its programmes to meet the needs of its learners, considering Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. We comprehensively apply the principles of a Loving Care Approach (Trauma Informed Practice) to ensure all young people receive the support they need to thrive.

Questions? Send an email to

You will have:

• Ability to build a rapport with young people from diverse backgrounds that can inspire and motivate.
• A teamworking and proactive attitude.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to work flexibly.
• The desire to help learners to achieve their goals with empathy and understanding for young people in all circumstances.
• Professionalism always - when working with learners, parents, and external parties
• A good understanding of current social issues would be an advantage (e.g., County Lines and the impact of COVID on young people and their mental health).
• Either have an existing knowledge of learning styles and abilities or a willingness to learn
• A creative flare for tailoring engaging activities that support learners towards their individual goals would be an advantage.