General Assistant 2 (Specialist Provision)

National Instruments; Newtownards; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Movilla High School in Down and Newtownards is seeking a General Assistant 2 to support teachers and pupils. The role involves assisting with personal care, supervising pupils, and helping with therapy and outings.

The post is fixed-term with holiday-flexible options, 15 hours per week, 11.00am–2.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Qualifications

• Six months’ demonstrable experience of working with a child in a school setting.
• Ability to provide direct support to a child in a school setting.
• Willingness to undertake job-related training when required.

Responsibilities

• Assist pupils with toileting, personal hygiene, dressing and feeding.
• Supervise pupils within school premises, including playground and on outings.
• accompany staff and therapy teams on outings or therapy sessions.
• Carry out general duties to support classroom activities and equipment setup.

Job description

Job Reference: 26006813)Primary Location : Down-Newtownards-Movilla High SchoolContract Type : Fixed-Term (May be subject to extension or reduced for any valid reason)Duration of Contract/Contract End Date : 30 June 2027Status : Part-TimeContract Options : Flexible working arrangements available during school holidays (E.g. Option 1, 2, 3)Hours per Week : 15 hours per week.Working Pattern : 11.00am - 2.00pm, Monday to Friday.Grade/Scale : General Assistant (Level II) | NJC pt 11 - 14 | £14.9917 - £15.7367 per hourAdditional Allowance(s) : Not ApplicableAnticipated Interview Date(s) : 30 September 2026Additional Information: Successful candidate to start as soon as possible.JOB DESCRIPTIONJOB TITLE: General Assistant 2REPORTS TO: The Principal through class teacherJOB PURPOSETo be responsible to the Principal for the provision of assistance to teachers/classroom assistants in/outside school with care of pupils.MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESGENERAL ASSISTANCEAssist pupils with toileting/personal hygiene/dressing including the use of basic toileting aids.Ensure the safe mobility and general supervision of the pupil/s within school premises, including the playground and on school outings, transporting pupil’s belongings (if required).Accompany teachers, classroom assistants and/or therapy staff with groups on outings or in respect of individual/group therapy programmes, e.g. swimming, educational outings, hydrotherapy etc.Ensure appropriate care and feeding of pupils at meal times.Ensure pupils comply with normal school rules and routines during the school day.Clean equipment connected with daily activities in classroom and assist with setting out equipment as directed.Such other duties as may be assigned within the level of the post. Those duties should be non-curricular.ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCEUndertake complex medical or invasive medical/clinical procedures.Use of specialist equipment for toileting and mobility for which specialist training is required.Provide specialist feeding support following assessment by a Speech and Language therapist under a formal programme identified by that assessment.GENERAL CONDITIONSCarry out all duties to comply with:(a) the Health and Safety at Work (NI) order 1978;(b) Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments and Regulations and other legal requirements;(c) Codes of Practice.Carry out all duties in the working conditions normally inherent in the particular job.Complete all necessary paperwork.Carry out duties for jobs up to and including those in the same grade, provided such duties are within the competence of the employee.This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.PERSON SPECIFICATIONNOTES TO JOB APPLICANTSYou must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria.SECTION 1 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIAThe following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.FactorEssential CriteriaMethod of AssessmentExperienceHave a minimum of six months’ demonstrable experience of working with a child/children in a school settingDemonstrable experience in one or more of the following areas:Providing direct support to a child/children in a school settingProviding support to a teacher and/or school staff inside or outside of the classroomProviding additional direct support* to a child/children in a school setting*Additional support is defined as undertaking medical procedures, using specialist support equipment, or providing specialist feeding supportShortlisting by Application FormKnowledgeDemonstrable knowledge of the requirements of a General Assistant 2Shortlisting by Application FormOtherWillingness to undertake job related training as and when requiredShortlisting by Application FormSECTION 2 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIAThe following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage.FactorEssential CriteriaMethod of AssessmentKnowledgeDemonstrable knowledge of:Child Protection and Safeguarding, as relevant to the roleHealth and Safety regulations, as relevant to the roleInterviewSkills / AbilitiesEvidence of an ability to work flexibly to help ensure a child-centred learning experienceEvidence of effective interpersonal and communication skillsProven effective team working skillsEvidence of good planning and organising skills to ensure work is completed on time to the required standardInterviewValues OrientationEvidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect the school’s values/ethos.The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer