Job introduction

Job title:  Apprentice Specialist Learning Support Assistant – Hearing Impairment (32.5 hours per week) Term Time Only

A bit about us:

Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We've got ambitious targets to meet and we need people who are driven, dynamic and ready to deliver the very best for our communities. Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do. 

Working at Liverpool City Council provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

We are proud of our world-famous thriving city with its rich culture, as well as affordable housing, good schools, beautiful green spaces – there’s really something for everyone!

Our Practice Model – “Our City, Our Children, Together” – was chosen by colleagues, parents and carers, children, and young people to reflect our collective commitment to working collaboratively, it is more than just a practice model, it is a shared vision. Every part of this model has been co-produced with the people who access and deliver our services. It represents our values, our relationships, and our belief that, by working together, we can create the best outcomes for children, young people, and their networks. This is a model we can be proud of and one that truly belongs to all of us.

 Join a service that's really making a difference. Liverpool Children's Services is proud to be rated "Good" by Ofsted, with inspectors recognising the positive impact of our work for children, young people and families across the city. 

Liverpool City Council Children and Young People's Services has recently undergone its Ofsted ILACS inspection, achieving a positive outcome across all four judgement areas (three judgement areas securing a ‘Good’ outcome), with inspectors praising stronger social work practice, a more stable workforce, and improved outcomes for children, young people and their networks. The Ofsted report specifically highlighted "improvements to Liverpool's social work workforce, with the council moving from relying predominantly on temporary staff to employing a majority permanent workforce. Reduced workloads have enabled practitioners to develop more meaningful relationships with children and families, while social workers told inspectors they felt well supported and appropriately challenged by managers, with morale described as high."

Jenny Glennard, Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services, said the inspection reflected both the commitment of the workforce and a renewed focus on children and young people's experiences. "I am very proud of our workforce, our schools, and our partners who work tirelessly to support the children of the city. There is always more to do, and we will continue to build on this progress."

The full report can be viewed here: Ofsted Report

This achievement reflects the dedication, passion and expertise of our workforce, and our commitment to delivering high-quality services that help children thrive. If you're looking to build your career in a supportive and ambitious organisation who are striving for excellence, we'd love to hear from you!

Make a real difference—every day.

Join us as an Apprentice Specialist Learning Support Assistant (Hearing Impairment) and help children and young people unlock their potential. This is a unique opportunity to earn while you learn, developing specialist skills to support inclusive education and empower learners with hearing impairment to thrive in the classroom and beyond. 

This is a 32.5-hour per week role, with a pro rata salary reflecting the part-time hours and term time only.

The role:

• The role of will require you to work collaboratively with teaching staff to support the learning, wellbeing and inclusion of pupils with a range of hearing impairments, with a clear focus on reducing attainment gaps between deaf pupils and their hearing peers.
• The Apprentice Specialist Learning Support Assistant will provide targeted support to ensure pupils with hearing impairments can fully access the curriculum, actively engage in learning, and achieve positive outcomes.
• The role will also promote the development of independence in learning, effective use and management of audiological equipment, and confident participation across all aspects of school life.
• The role of the Apprentice Specialist Learning Support Assistant would be perfect for those with SEND experience, this role lets you take the next step—gaining specialist skills to support children and young people with hearing impairment to succeed.
• You will working across various education settings within the Liverpool City area.
• The post is also subject to an enhanced DBS check.

This role is fixed term for the purpose of completing the level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship and will end 24 months from the date you start with us.

Our offer to you:

• At least 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays rising to 32 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part time) - option to purchase further days
• Agile working (role dependent) - a “Flexibility First” approach to agile working, where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception
• Part of the Local Government Pension Scheme – option to join the AVC Scheme
• Health and Wellbeing - offer including Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes 
• Drive Time – a salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Family friendly policies with enhanced leave  
• Discounted Gym Memberships 
• Employee Volunteering Scheme 
• Medicash 

Next steps:
Closing date: midnight on Friday, 4th September 2026
Shortlisting date: w/c 7th September 2026
Interview date: Monday 26th September 2026
Interview type: Face to Face

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early. Once the role has closed, you will not be able to submit an application, and we are unable to reopen the vacancy for you to complete it. We strongly recommend submitting your application well in advance of the closing date to avoid disappointment.

If you would like any further information or an informal discussion, please contact Julie Manning - Julie.Manning@liverpool.gov.uk

Watch our recruitment video and see what life is like working at Liverpool City Council.

Liverpool City Council is committed to fostering a workforce representative of the communities we serve. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe in appointing candidates based on their skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities. To support this commitment, we guarantee an interview to candidates from under-represented groups who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. 

If you require any reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010, such as an application form in a different format or additional time to complete your application, please contact us at recruitment@liverpool.gov.uk.

Although we advertise on Jobs Go Public, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications.  Please ensure you complete your full profile, work and education history in Tribepad.

Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have a right to work in the UK before commencing employment or meet the Home Office criteria for Visa sponsorship. Candidates who require sponsorship should evaluate the Home Office eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa before applying.

Please be advised it is our understanding that this role does not meet the requirements of a skilled worker visa as set out by UK Visa and Immigration https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations-and-codes . For details regarding the salary of a skilled worker visa please visit Home Office: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-immigration-salary-list/skilled-worker-visa-immigration-salary-list

This is not legal advice, and we advise you to seek your own independent legal advice tailored to your own personal circumstances.