New guidance on the role of Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) in the Further Education and Training sector has been published today
It was developed by the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) in partnership with the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and with the financial support of the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, and builds on the EEF’s influential Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants guidance report, which focused on school-based education.
The new report is available to read and download from the ETF website here.
The guidance, which is aimed at leaders and managers, makes five key recommendations designed to maximise the impact of LSAs and help improve learning outcomes:
- Ensure an organisation-wide approach to the role, purpose and contribution of LSAs to best meet the diverse needs of your learners, setting and context.
- Ensure Learning Support Assistants are deployed in ways that complement the teaching practitioner, rather than replacing them.
- Ensure Learning Support Assistants are given training and support for their specific role, to work effectively with learners.
- Ensure Learning Support Assistants are empowered to enable learners to develop the skills to manage their own learning.
- Ensure teaching practitioners are trained and supported to work in partnership with Learning Support Assistants to enable all learners to progress.
Each recommendation is backed by a discussion of the available evidence, factors to consider when implementing it, and points for managers and leaders to consider
Sir Kevan Collins, Chief Executive of the EEF, comments:
Paul Kessell-Holland, ETF Director of Insights, comments: