Learning support assistant
Help children and young people who need special support to make the most of education, and assist teachers in the classroom.
Also known as: support worker, special educational needs (SEN) classroom assistant, education support assistant, additional support needs (ASN) assistant
About the job
A day in the life – Learning support assistant
What it's like
You would help children and young people who need special support to make the most of education by working with them in the classroom.
You’d assist teachers to create the best environment and suitable lessons for the pupils.
They may find it difficult to learn because of a disability or health issue, family circumstances that have disrupted their education, or social, emotional and behavioural factors.
Depending on the age of the children and their individual needs, you would:
Help with schoolwork under the supervision of the teacher
Prepare learning materials
Help children understand instructions
Carry out a child's care plan
Encourage children to communicate
Give information and help to teachers
Support children during social activities and outings
Help children during therapy sessions
Look after children's physical needs
Keep records
You’d need to be patient and sensitive. You’d comfort the children when they are upset and encourage them to be confident and independent. But sometimes it would be necessary to be firm.
You could work in a special school that supports children with severe or complex disabilities, or with an individual pupil or small group of pupils in a mainstream class.
Hours
You might work school hours, Monday to Friday, during term-time. However, many assistants work part-time. You may sometimes go to training and meetings outside school hours. Some special schools are residential. If you work in this type of school, you may have to work a mixture of shifts covering seven days a week.
Environment
You would work in a school.
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Related industries
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- working with children
- learning support
- personal care
- manual handling
- stocks (inventory)
- service improvement planning
- service improvement
- toileting
- job evaluation
- autism spectrum disorders
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- observation
- social conscience
- supporting
- cooperating
- verbal communication
- attention to detail
- time management
- mentoring
- reliable
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Care
Childcare and Development
Psychology
Skills for Work: Early Education and Childcare
Foundation Apprenticeship: Social Services Children and Young People
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
There are no set qualifications. Schools and local authorities have different requirements.
Most employers look for a good general education and experience working with young people who have additional support needs.
The following qualifications would be useful:
Skills for Work: Early Education and Childcare (SCQF Level 4/5)
National Certificate (NC) in Education Support Assistance (SCQF Level 6)
HNC/HND in Additional Support Needs: Supporting the Individual (SCQF Level 7/8)
To enter an Additional Support Needs HNC/HND (SCQF Level 7/8) usually requires National 5 qualifications and two Highers.
You are likely to need some voluntary experience to find paid work. Search opportunities on Volunteer.scot.
Experience and qualifications in volunteering such as SQA Volunteering Skills Award (SCQF level 3-5) may be helpful as will a First Aid certificate.
To be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland.
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