Midday/Lunchtime Assistants x2

Cookridge Primary School; Leeds; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 15,000; Full time

Job summary

Cookridge Primary School is seeking a dedicated lunchtime supervisor to support pupils, including those with autism, during mealtimes and playtimes. You will use calm, clear communication and visual prompts to help children manage routines and social interactions.

We value empathy, patience and a respectful approach, with safeguarding as a priority. Experience in a school setting and strong teamwork with teachers and assistants is beneficial.

Qualifications

• Patience, calm and supportive demeanor when pupils are anxious or frustrated.
• Understanding of autism and varied communication styles.
• Clear communication using simple language and visual prompts.
• Positive behaviour support through praise, consistency and respectful approach.
• Safeguarding awareness and prompt reporting of concerns.
• Observation skills to recognise distress or changes in behaviour.
• Teamwork with teachers, assistants and lunchtime staff.
• Promoting independence during lunchtime routines at the pupil's own pace.
• Supporting social interaction and play.
• Flexibility to adapt support to individual needs.
• Empathy and respect for every child.
• Intimate care and willingness to assist with toileting and personal hygiene.

Skills

Patience and understanding

Understanding of autism

Communication skills

Positive behaviour support

Safeguarding awareness

Observation skills

Teamwork

Promoting independence

Supporting social interaction

Flexibility and adaptability

Empathy and respect

Intimate care

Job description

Skills and qualities

• Patience and understanding – remaining calm, supportive and reassuring when pupils become anxious, overwhelmed or frustrated.
• Understanding of autism – recognising that autistic pupils may have different communication styles, sensory needs, routines and ways of interacting with others.
• Communication skills – using clear, simple language, visual prompts, gestures or other communication methods suited to each pupil.
• Positive behaviour support – encouraging appropriate behaviour through praise, consistency and a positive, respectful approach.
• Safeguarding awareness – understanding the importance of keeping children safe, following school policies and reporting concerns promptly.
• Observation skills – recognising signs of distress, sensory overload, anxiety or changes in behaviour and responding appropriately.
• Teamwork – working closely with teachers, teaching assistants, lunchtime supervisors and other school staff.
• Promoting independence – encouraging pupils to manage eating, drinking, tidying up and other lunchtime routines at their own pace.
• Supporting social interaction – helping pupils develop friendships, take turns, share resources and participate in playground activities.
• Flexibility and adaptability – responding calmly to unexpected changes and adapting support to individual needs.
• Empathy and respect – treating every child with dignity, recognising their strengths and celebrating their achievements.
• Intimate care - willingness to support children with toileting and personal hygiene

Suggested relevant experience

• Experience that would be valuable for this role includes:
• Supporting autistic children or children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• Working in a primary school, special school, nursery, after-school club or other childcare setting.
• Helping children during mealtimes, playtime and other unstructured parts of the school day.
• Supporting children who experience sensory sensitivities, anxiety or difficulties with communication and social interaction.
• Using visual timetables, picture cards, now-and-next boards or other communication aids.
• Helping children follow routines and manage transitions between activities.
• Supporting positive behaviour and helping children regulate their emotions.
• Working collaboratively with parents, teachers and other professionals to support children's needs.
• Following safeguarding, health and safety, food hygiene and confidentiality procedures.