Midday/Lunchtime Assistants x2

Teaching Vacancies; Leeds; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Cookridge School in Leeds is seeking a dedicated lunchtime and pupil support assistant to work with pupils, including those with autism, during meals, playtimes, and transitions. The role requires calm, supportive interaction and the ability to follow school routines, with emphasis on safety and positive behaviour reinforcement.

We value collaboration with teachers, parents, and staff to promote inclusion, independence, and social interaction while maintaining safeguarding standards and

Qualifications

• Experience that would be valuable for this role includes supporting autistic children or children with SEND.

Skills

Patience

Autism understanding

Communication skills

Positive behaviour support

Safeguarding awareness

Observation skills

Teamwork

Promoting independence

Supporting social interaction

Flexibility

Empathy and respect

Intimate care

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

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 toiileting and personal hygiene

- 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.

What the school offers its staff

What We Offer

At Cookridge, we believe that happy staff make happy schools. We are committed to supporting your wellbeing, professional development, and work-life balance, ensuring you feel valued every step of the way.

Benefits of Joining Our Team

A genuinely supportive and friendly working environment where your wellbeing is a priority.

A school culture that values collaboration, encourages innovation, and celebrates individual strengths.

The opportunity to work alongside passionate colleagues who are dedicated to making a positive difference every day.

Ongoing professional development and encouragement to pursue your own learning and growth.

For further information or to arrange an informal visit, please contact the school directly on 0113 3862500

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.