Lunchtime/Welfare Assistant

HALTON BOROUGH COUNCIL; St. John; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Halton Borough Council is seeking a Welfare Assistant to supervise pupils at lunchtimes, both in the dining hall and in the playground, ensuring safety, orderliness and good behaviour. The role involves assisting in wet weather activities and coordinating with the Catering Department to maintain a clean and safe lunch environment.

Training will be provided for basic first aid; you will work as part of a team to ensure pupils’ welfare and smooth lunchtime routines within the school grounds.

Responsibilities

• Supervise washing and hands before meals and entry of children into dining hall.
• Monitor pupils in dining hall and provide guidance on table manners.
• Supervise playground and school premises after lunch; assist in wet weather activities and promote good behaviour.
• Ensure clean surfaces for eating, maintain playtime routines, and coordinate with Catering for hall prep and safety.
• Provide basic first aid where needed (training provided); report minor accidents using the standard form.

Job description

Responsible under the direction of the Headteacher, individually or as a member of a team, for ensuring the safety, welfare and good conduct of pupils during the midday break period both in the school premises but more importantly the outside play environment in accordance with established practices and procedures. Summary of main duties:

• Supervision of washing/gelling hands before the meal and the orderly entry of children into the dining hall. (Whistle used as directed by Headteacher).
• Supervision of pupils in the dining hall including general advice on table manners and procedures e.g. correct use of knife and fork. (A positive approach to children's manner and behaviour is to be promoted to create an orderly eating environment - whistles are not to be used in the school building).
• Supervision of pupils in playground areas and on school premises after lunch. This may include assisting in appropriate activities in wet weather and once again identifying and promoting good behaviour.
• Ensure that children eat of a clean surface during lunchtimes and maintain the current procedures to ensure the children enjoy as full a playtime as possible. It is the main priority that you should work as part of a team and as a result supervise the children whilst they are playing outside. The preparation of the hall for afternoon curriculum activities is the responsibility of the Catering Department. Whilst the aim is to work collaboratively for the welfare of the children it is important to maintain a maximum cover in the play ground. Welfare Staff are to work with Catering to maximise this.
• You are asked by way of securing the children's Health and Safety to administer simple first aid where necessary (training will be provided for Welfare Assistants). Teachers enjoy a particularly short lunch break interrupting this should only be as a last resort as you are expected to attend to minor accidents including bumped heads where the appropriate form (located in the first aid cupboard) should be completed and handed to the child's class teacher at the end lunchtime. It is also your responsibility to clear up minor spillages and any toileting accidents that the children may have. Cleaning of equipment e.g. mop bucket must be done once the children have returned to class. Supervision of children on the playground is priority.