HIGHER LEVEL TEACHING ASSISTANT - COMMUNICATION AND INTERACTION LEAD

Ref	199422
Number of Posts	1
Grade	Grade 7 SCP 19-25 .
Salary	£32061 to £ 36363 The position is term time only plus 5 INSET days
Term	Full-time.
Perm / FTC	Permanent.
Required	(As soon as possible ) .
Hours	37 hours a week.
Closing Date	23/02/2026.

Job Description & Employee Specification (198 KB)

Location

Chorley Astley Park School, Harrington Road, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 1JZ (161 on roll)

Tel: 01257 262227
School website: www.astleypark.lancs.sch.uk

Summary

Astley Park is a vibrant special school serving 162 pupils aged 4–16 with complex SEND. We pride ourselves on creating an inclusive, communication-rich environment where every pupil can thrive. We work closely with NHS Speech and Language Therapists (SaLT) to ensure pupils receive tailored communication support.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly skilled HLTA to become our Communication & Interaction Lead. This role is pivotal in developing, coordinating, and delivering high-quality communication support across the school. You will work closely with teachers, TAs, and therapists to embed communication strategies and ensure every pupil has access to the support they need.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead whole-school communication approaches, including AAC, PECs, symbols, and Makaton.
Deliver targeted interventions under SaLT guidance for pupils with communication needs.
Act as the main liaison with NHS/private SaLT services, ensuring recommendations are embedded in daily practice.
Provide coaching, modelling, and CPD to staff on communication strategies.
Plan, lead and deliver training to staff, families and other settings & services
Maintain communication resources, pupil passports, and progress records.

Please note that in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025, an online search will be carried out as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates.

Please note CVs are not accepted, to apply for this vacancy you need to complete the application form attached.

This position is part time, please note the salary quoted is full time equivalent. If successful, the salary received will be paid on a pro –rata basis

Please note that this vacancy closes at 9am on 23/02/2026

Essential Qualifications

Recognised and relevant NVQ Level 3 Qualification or equivalent.
Level 2 or equivalent qualification in English/Literacy and Mathematics/Numeracy.
HLTA Status.

Desirable Qualifications

NVQ Level 4 qualification or equivalent.

Essential Experience

Significant experience of supporting pupils with SEND.
Experience of using AAC, visuals or total communication.
Experience of delivering interventions.
Experience of using data to monitor progress.

Desirable Experience

Experience of co-ordinating SaLT programmes.
Working within a multi-disciplinary team (SaLT, OT, EP).
Experience of training or coaching staff.
Experience of working in Special Schools.

For an informal discussion please contact:

Kieran Welsh, Headteacher - 01257 262227

Proposed Interview Date:

02/03/2026

Equal Opportunities statement

An Equal Opportunities Employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Information provided by you or the Disclosure and Barring Service will be dealt with in a confidential manner in accordance with the DBS's Code of Practice. You may view the Code of Practice on the DBS website at www.gov.uk/dbs or alternatively a copy is available on request. Lancashire County Council has a Handling of DBS Certificate Information Policy and a Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders this is available from the recruiting manager to applicants who are asked to complete a DBS application.

Additional Info

Applications and further details are available from/returnable to

Address:	Attached to the advert.. Please return completed application forms to our Business Support Team electronically - bst@astleypark.lancs.sch.uk

Positive about Disabled People

The County Council is committed to equality of opportunity for all people in terms of recruitment, selection and employment, and is a Disability Confident employer, which means that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria in the person specification will be interviewed. However, commitment to this standard is on an individual school basis and, therefore, if you are applying for a position within a school, you will need to check with the school whether they have made the decision to comply with this standard.

Disability Confident employer Lancashire County Council