Midday Support Assistant (Barrow Hill site, Chesterfield)

The Methodist Church in Britain; Chesterfield; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 17,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS pension with 16.6% employer

Generous holiday entitlement

Westfield Health membership

CPD platform access

Mileage claims for travel between site

Job summary

Esteem North Academy is seeking a Midday Support Assistant for the Barrow Hill site. The role covers lunchtime meals and welfare, including collecting food from nearby schools and serving in classrooms, with a focus on pupils with SEND and behavioural needs.

It is term-time only, 15 hours per week, roughly 11am–2pm. DBS check required; visa sponsorship is not available. Travel to other academy sites for meetings and CPD may be required; a car with business use insurance is needed.

Qualifications

• Affinity for pupils with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (SEND).
• Experience in catering or food handling is desirable.
• Willingness to work lunchtime shifts and support welfare.

Responsibilities

• Serve lunchtime meals to pupils in their classrooms.
• Collect meals from adjacent schools and serve on site.
• Support pupils with eating, toileting and play at lunchtime.
• Safeguard and promote pupils' welfare during lunchtime.
• Support pupils with SEND and understand triggers.
• Follow risk assessments, COSHH, food safety and hygiene protocols.

Skills

SEND support

Organised

Team player

Relationship building

Creative thinking

Job description

A midday support assistant post at the Barrow Hill site of Esteem North Academy, a small primary setting with around 30 pupils. The role covers lunchtime meals and welfare, including collecting food from nearby schools, serving it in classrooms, and helping pupils with eating, toileting and play. It is term-time only, 15 hours a week, around 11am to 2pm, with a focus on pupils with SEND and behavioural needs. A DBS check is required and visa sponsorship is not available.

What the job involves

• Serve lunchtime meals to pupils in their classrooms
• Collect meals from adjacent schools and serve them on site
• Support pupils at lunchtime with eating, toileting and play
• Safeguard and promote pupils' welfare throughout lunchtime
• Support pupils with SEND, understanding their triggers
• Follow risk assessments, COSHH, food safety and hygiene protocols
• Travel to other academy sites for meetings, INSET and CPD, and collect lunches from other venues when required
• Build positive relationships with pupils and think creatively
• Contribute to the life of the academy

What’s required

Experience

• Experience working in catering
• Experience applying food safety and hygiene protocols

Skills & knowledge

• Affinity for pupils with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties
• Genuine desire to work with pupils with SEND
• Organised
• Team player
• Building positive relationships with pupils
• Creative thinking

Checks & eligibility

• DBS check
• Daily access to a car with business use on the insurance before starting

Other

• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
• Willingness to contribute fully to academy life
• Strong mental and physical resilience
• High expectations and a sense of humour

Nice to have

• Good knowledge and experience of working with disaffected pupils in a school or alternative setting

What’s offered

• LGPS pension with 16.6% employer contributions
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Westfield Health membership, including cashback, discounted gym memberships and free confidential advice
• Access to the National College CPD platform
• Mileage claims for travel from the allocated site during the working day