Communication Support Worker

£16.96 (£15.13 per hour plus £1.83 holiday pay)

Package

20 Holiday Days (148 hours) + 8 Bank Holidays (59.2 hours) - this includes a discretionary Christmas closure period

3% Employer Pension Contribution into NEST Pension Scheme

About us

The Sheffield College is a further and higher education institution dedicated to providing academic, vocational, and professional qualifications to approximately 13,000 young people and adults annually. Our mission is to transform lives through learning, advocating for inclusivity and diversity at every stage.

About the role

Working for our subsidiary company Sparks Teaching Services as a Communication Support Worker, you will work to improve the access and participation of Hearing Impaired Students, both academically and socially, by providing a range of communication support which meets the individual or group of Hearing Impaired/Visually Impaired student needs.

Main Responsibilities:

Conveying the contents of lessons in a variety of settings - classroom, workshops, online (onsite or from home), work placements and other learning environments
Using one or more from a range of skills appropriate to student(s) needs e.g. lip-speaking, sign to voice/voice to sign translation, note-taking, “live explanations”
Using appropriate support, according to the student’s subject area, level of course, student maturity and other additional support needs.
Be prepared to be directed by the SEND Advisor for Hearing Impaired as to the type of support to be provided in class. Also be prepared to liaise with, SEND Advisor for Hearing Impaired, Subject Tutors, EHCP Co-ordinator and Lead Transition Progression Co-ordinator to:
Keep abreast of student’s course, course materials and changing support needs through this liaison
Prepare for lessons in advance
Undertake tasks that increase the immediate accessibility of course materials e.g. explaining the language of handouts and/or adding notes
Highlight any new terms and concepts that the student(s) may have problems understanding
Alert staff that course materials may need modifying such as handouts, video transcriptions and/or subtitling
Assist in the preparation of transcripts/video subtitling
Support student(s) outside of scheduled class time to complete work set by subject tutors
Inform the SEND Advisor for Hearing Impaired where mainstream lecturers or peer groups would benefit from Hearing Awareness Training and contribute to the development of strategies
Responding positively to mainstream lecturers and student peer groups in a clear, supportive and professional manner to facilitate the Hearing-Impaired student(s) inclusion into college.
Seeking guidance and advice from lecturers, SEND Advisor for Hearing Impaired and visiting Teachers of the Deaf, as appropriate, on issues relating to the support of Deaf and Hearing-Impaired students and provision for any further additional support which students may need.
Enhancing opportunities for students to be independent, while maintaining professional and personal boundaries at all times.
Keeping regular records and undertaking support related administrative duties as required e.g.
Entering a record of support provided on college systems (Pro-Monitor)
Submitting a weekly work time record sheet
Inform in writing to SEND Advisor for Hearing Impaired any timetable changes, exams dates, work experience or trips etc
Raising any problems you may have in carrying out your duties as a Communication Support Worker, as outlined in the guidelines, with the SEND Advisor for Hearing Impaired.
Contributing to the professional development of the CSW team by participating in:
Staff induction and training sessions
Mentoring
Demonstration
Work shadowing
Undertaking training and development activities as appropriate.
Maintaining a safe and healthy working environment in accordance with the College’s Health and Safety policies and procedures, in association with other colleagues and managers.
Operating within the College’s equal opportunities framework to achieve College targets and establish parity of esteem.
Maintaining confidentiality in accordance with the Data Protection Act;
Ensuring that all relevant work activities underpin the College’s commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults
Undertaking any other duties and responsibilities as may be determined after negotiation between management, the post holder and appropriate Trade Unions.

If you want to find out more about the role please contact Rebecca Hartley, Deaf & Hearing Impaired Inclusion Advisor - Rebecca.Hartley@sheffcol.ac.uk

What we can offer you

As the successful candidate, you will be offered an hourly rate of £16.96 (£15.13 per hour plus £1.83 holiday pay).

Enhanced Pension contributions scheme with Nest - 3%
Annual leave - 20 Days (148 hours) + 8 Bank Holidays (59.2 hours) - this includes a discretionary Christmas closure period
Health and wellbeing, we offer
Employee assistance programme through Bupa
Occupational Health through PAM
Free eye tests for VDU users
Free Parking is available at majority of our campuses

Further information can be found on our Benefits and Career Development pages.

Disability Confident

We are a Disability Confidentemployer and are committed to removing barriers for applicants with a disability during our recruitment process, upon appointment and as an employee. If you require any reasonable adjustments or any support at any point throughout the process, please contact jobs@sheffcol.ac.uk

Armed Forces Covenant

As part of our commitment through the Armed Forces Covenant,we’re pledged to support the Armed Forces Community. Recognising the value Personnel, Veterans and military families contribute to our community and country.

Safeguarding

We are an employer who is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students. Successful applicants will be required to have an enhanced DBS check and will be subject to safer recruiting procedures. Further details on our safer recruiting procedures, including the employment of ex-offenders can be found here Safeguarding

Next Steps:

To apply: Click apply online and follow the links to complete the online application. For queries regarding the application process, please contact the Recruitment Team at jobs@sheffcol.ac.ukCVs are currently not accepted.

As a Leader in Diversity employer, we encourage applications from everyone and value diversity in our workforce.

Closing date: 21st October 2025

Please be aware – If we have a high number of applications, we may decide to close the vacancy

This table contains essential and desirable skills for the job

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Communication Support Worker

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