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Communication support worker

Alternative titles for this job include CSW, sign language support worker

Communication support workers help deaf students in education.

Average salary (a year)

£18,000 Starter

to

£22,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 term time

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become a Communication support worker

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • working towards this role
  • training with a professional body

College

You'll usually need to study for a qualification like the:

  • Level 3 Award In Signing and Receiving Skills in British Sign Language
  • Level 3 Certificate in British Sign Language Studies
  • Level 3 Certificate in Communication Support for Deaf Learners

You'll be expected to have a level 2 sign language qualification to get onto one of these courses.

You can do further qualifications at higher levels once you start work.

More information

Work

You may be able to find a job as an assistant communication support worker and complete your qualifications while working.

Volunteering and experience

Experience of working or volunteering with children with deafness or hearing loss, may be useful.

Other routes

You can do sign language training through organisations like Signature, which also offers a Certificate in Learning Support for Communication Support Workers.

More information

Further information

You can get more advice about working in communication support from Signature.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • sensitivity and understanding
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to enjoy working with other people
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • knowledge of psychology
  • Being able to use a computer terminal or hand-held device may be beneficial for this job.

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

  • assessing the needs of learners
  • helping them communicate with others in class
  • supporting them by lipspeaking and notetaking
  • interpreting between spoken English and BSL
  • being creative in adapting learning materials to match learners’ interests
  • using a range of ways to help them understand what is required in class
  • helping them produce written work
  • supporting learners in talking about their learning needs with teachers
  • building relationships with learners, their families, and other professionals
  • thinking of ways for learners to become more independent
  • providing deaf-awareness training for other staff and students
  • supporting the school or college in improving the environment for hearing aids and lipreading

Working environment

You could work at a school, at a college or at a university.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move into a management position within sensory impairment or disability services. With further training, you could progress to become a sign language interpreter, a disability adviser or a teacher of the deaf.

There are some opportunities to use sign language skills in theatre, television, multimedia production and courts of law. Signers are sometimes booked to interpret in interviews.

Training opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a Communication support worker right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Support Work in Schools - Level 2 (Evening)

  • Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 22 April 2020
  • Location: Blackpool

Certificate Level 2 STLS

  • Provider: Vocational Training Services Care Sector Limited
  • Start date: 01 January 2019
  • Location: Colchester
Find courses near you

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