HLTA- Art & Photography

Art & Photography HLTA – Post-16

Salary: £26,000–£28,000, paid all year round Location: Salford / Greater Manchester Contract: Full-Time, Permanent Start date: As soon as possible

Fantastic opportunity to join our unique SEND Post-16 college.

We offer a wide range of therapeutic and alternative education services to young people across the Greater Manchester area. This is an exceptional prospect for a committed, values-driven practitioner to help shape and drive forward a growing vocational offer.

About the Role

We are seeking a dedicated and skilled Art & Photography HLTA to lead on small-group and 1:1 work within our art and photography vocational offer. You will play an essential role in delivering high-quality vocational learning through targeted, practical creative sessions tailored to each learner. Working closely with the Operations Manager and wider staff team, you will help promote our therapeutic ethos, relational practice and commitment to inclusive, aspirational education for every learner.

The successful candidate will bring their own specialism and ideas to a provision that is still growing, and will have genuine scope to influence the shape and direction of our creative vocational pathway.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead engaging small-group and 1:1 art, design and photography sessions that develop vocational, independence and employability skills.

• Contribute to the development of our creative vocational offer, including schemes of work, practical projects, exhibitions and learner portfolios.

• Lead targeted practical interventions to support learner progress, confidence and participation.

• Adapt resources and scaffold learning to meet the diverse needs of learners with SEND/SEMH.

• Promote safeguarding, behaviour and wellbeing through consistent relational and trauma-informed practice.

• Use observation, assessment information and feedback to identify gaps and inform next steps.

• Build strong relationships with learners, families, external agencies and colleagues.

• Contribute to a safe, nurturing and ambitious learning environment.

What We Are Looking For:

We welcome applications from experienced HLTAs, SEN support staff, artists, photographers and creative practitioners, or individuals with experience in specialist SEND, SEMH, therapeutic or vocational settings.

You will be:

• Committed and hard-working, with the drive to help move a vocational offer forward.

• Kind, patient and nurturing, with the skills and resilience to work with young adults with special educational needs.

• Skilled in art and/or photography, with the practical confidence to teach and model creative techniques.

• Confident leading small-group and 1:1 sessions, planning and adapting activities around individual learners.

• Calm and consistent, with a genuine belief in relational, trauma-informed practice.

• A strong communicator who builds trusting relationships with learners, families and colleagues.

• Reflective and open to feedback, with a commitment to your own professional development.

• Reliable, organised and able to work flexibly as part of a close-knit team.

Above all, you will share our values, passion for inclusion and belief that every learner can thrive with the right support, relationships and structure.

Candidates must hold a full UK driving licence and have access to their own vehicle, as the role may involve travel between sites and supporting learners in community and work-based settings.

Salary & Benefits:

• Salary of £26,000–£28,000, paid all year round — you are paid across all 12 months, not on a term-time-only basis.

• All college closure periods off — you benefit from the full non-term-time holidays, including half terms, Christmas, Easter and the summer break.

• An additional paid day's leave each year, on top of the standard college closure periods, to use as you choose.

What We Offer

• A strong, friendly and genuinely supportive team who look out for one another.

• Real opportunities for professional development and career progression.

• The scope to shape a creative curriculum and see the impact of your own ideas.

• Small class sizes and a therapeutic, learner-centred environment.

• A leadership team who value staff wellbeing as much as learner outcomes.

How to Apply:

Apply via CV-Library with your CV and a short covering statement outlining your relevant experience and why this role appeals to you. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and pre-employment checks. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community