Look! I passed my assessment and I'm now a HLTA http://www.tda.gov.uk/support/support_staff_roles/learningsupportstaff/hlta/background.aspx
It won't mean a massive change just yet, but come September, I'll have my new job in the Speech and Language Centre, an increase in responsibility and best of all, an increase in pay!
Don't underestimate this achievement for me; it's the first formal bit of studying I've done since 1981 and it didn't come easy. I have discovered that dawgone book learnin' ain't for me...