Lunchtime Assistant SEN

Prospere Learning Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 6,000; Part time

Job summary

A regional educational organization is seeking a Lunchtime Assistant to provide high-quality support to students during lunchtime at Grange School. Responsibilities include supervising dining areas, assisting with personal care, and promoting healthy eating among students. This part-time position is ideal for compassionate individuals dedicated to supporting children, particularly those with Special Educational Needs. The role offers a starting salary of £5,937 for 10 hours per week during term time and involves a commitment to safeguarding children's welfare.

Benefits

High quality CPD for all roles

Bupa Level 1 Health Plan

Generous Pension Contribution

Good holidays

Cyclescheme

Employee Assistance Programmes

Credit Union

Flexible working options

Mental Health First Aid

Blue Light Card discounts

Cashback card

Qualifications

• Experience of working with children, preferably with Special Educational Needs (SEN).
• Ability to build positive relationships with students and staff.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting student wellbeing.
• Willingness to undertake necessary training.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and support students during lunchtime.
• Assist students with personal care and feeding.
• Promote healthy eating and support appropriate food choices.
• Encourage positive relationships and inclusive behaviour.
• Lead lunchtime clubs and activities.
• Support students with challenging behaviour.

Skills

Experience working with children

Compassion and patience

Ability to communicate clearly in spoken English

Team player

Job description

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Lunchtime Assistant to join our fantastic team at Grange School.

This is a permanent post working 10 hours per week 11.30am-1.30pm, term time only. The starting salary is £5,937 and the full time equivalent is £24,796 Grade 2.

About the role

As a Lunchtime Assistant, you will provide high-quality support to students during lunchtime, helping to ensure a safe, inclusive, and positive experience for all. You will support students with a range of needs, including social interaction, healthy eating, personal care, and participation in lunchtime clubs and activities. This role is ideal for someone who is compassionate, patient, and committed to supporting children with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise and support students in dining areas, playgrounds, and other designated spaces.
• Assist students with feeding, personal care, toileting, changing, and handwashing, as required, ensuring dignity and wea respect at all times.
• Promote healthy eating and support students in making appropriate food choices.
• Support students’ social communication and interaction, encouraging positive relationships and inclusive behaviour.
• Assist with and lead a range of lunchtime clubs and activities (e.g. outdoor play, football, art, sensory story, magazine club).
• Support students who may display challenging behaviour using calm, positive approaches.
• Monitor dietary needs, medical requirements, and individual care plans.
• Provide comfort and reassurance to students who are unwell or have minor accidents and seek first aid support when necessary.
• Report accidents, incidents, or safeguarding concerns promptly to senior staff.
• Work closely with teaching staff, SEN staff, and the Senior Lunchtime Organiser to meet students’ individual needs.
• Ensure equipment is used safely, maintained, and stored correctly, including tables, chairs, and specialist equipment following training.
• Follow all school and Trust policies, particularly those relating to safeguarding, health and safety, and child protection.

Qualifications & Requirements

• A dedicated and compassionate individual with experience of working with children (experience of SEN is desirable).
• Someone who can build positive relationships with students and staff.
• A team playerArquillante to safeguarding and promoting student wellbeing.
• An individual able to communicate clearly and confidently in spoken English.
• A willingness to undertake training, including personal care and specialist equipment training where required.

How to Apply

Please follow the online application process to be considered. Interviews will take place on Friday 6th February.

All school staff are expected to share the Trust’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Specific safeguarding responsibilities are detailed in the attached job description.

Working for Prospere Learning Trust

Great schools thrive because of the great people in them. We invest in our staff to achieve their full potential and offer a range of benefits including.

• High quality CPD for all roles
• Bupa Level 1 Health Plan – annual cash back allowance for a range of everyday health care expenses
• Generous Pension Contribution – over 26% for teachers and over 17% for support staff
• Good holidays teachers as per School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document; non-teachers receive 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 31 days with 5 years' service
• Cyclescheme – save up to 39% on a bike and accessories and get Strava for free
• Employee Assistance Programmes – including access to free counselling and 24/7 helplines
• Credit Union – regular savings, Christmas saving scheme and access to affordable loans
• Flexible working options – we're happy to talk flexible working where possible
• Mental Health First Aid in every school
• Blue Light CardBRO.. R. – discounts on holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones, and many more
• bYond cashback card – spend smarter with a prepaid cashback card for your everyday purchases

Grange School

The Grange School in Levenshulme, Manchester, provides 247 day places for pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD). Catering to pupils from EYFS to KS5, Grange offers a bespoke education through a stimulating environment and the Know and Remember Curriculum, ensuring access متاثر to the National Curriculum with engaging activities. Progress is tracked termly using a bespoke data system.

Grange also offers exciting curriculum enrichment activities, including an on-site farm with various animals and an enhanced learning area called Know Globes. Imagination Village allows pupils to practice real‑world skills in settings like a post office, grocer’s, and doctor’s surgery.

For KS4 and KS5, the curriculum focusesaires the world of work, offering accredited coursesghra in English, maths,achos (?) and qualifications in areas like Active Sports and Leisure, Catering and Hospitality, and Construction.

Grange School has been graded as outstanding in all areas by Ofsted.

Pupils at all stages in their school life blossom, both socially and academically. This helps pupils to have a strong sense of belonging and they feel part of the school community.

Visit our website to learn more about our school community: https://www.grange.manchester.sch.uk/

Job Application Information

Please apply using the online application form; incomplete applications may not be considered. CVs are not accepted. Early applications are encouraged, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

As per Keeping Children Safe in Education, we conduct online searches on shortlisted candidates to identify any relevant issues for interview discussion. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a self-disclosure declaration, declaring any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. Information will be provided on where to seek guidance on whether certain offences Bro may be currently protected and should not be disclosed within the self-disclosure form.

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 all positions within the School are exempt. Therefore, we are entitled to carry out Enhanced Disclosure checks for all staff and volunteers. It is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relating to children.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; we do not sponsor visa applications. If you’ve livedCCD or worked outside the UK in the last five years, additional information will be required. Job offers are contingent on satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references.

Safeguarding Commitment

All schools within the Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

Equality Statement

Prospere Learning Trust values diversity and welcomes applications from all candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.

For application support contact us on 0161 527 7953 or email [e-mail]