Play Assistant

Teaching Vacancies; Sutton; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

A forward-thinking school in the UK seeks enthusiastic Play Assistants to support lunch time sessions for pupils. The role involves assisting with personal care, encouraging social interaction, and providing essential support during meal times. Ideal candidates will possess experience in caring for children and have a willingness to learn new skills related to special educational needs (SEN). This position includes various employee benefits and a commitment to safeguarding.

Benefits

Pension Scheme

Employee Wellbeing support

Employee Discounts

Salary Sacrifice Schemes

Qualifications

• Experience of working with or caring for children is essential.
• Basic IT skills are necessary.
• Good communication skills and ability to follow instructions are a must.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing the dining hall for lunchtime.
• Help move pupils, following the advice of therapists.
• Serve pupils lunch and assist them with feeding.
• Encourage social interaction with pupils.
• Assist with personal care needs.

Skills

Experience of working with, or caring for children

Good range of communication skills

Basic IT skills

Willingness to learn new skills related to SEN

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are looking for enthusiastic Play Assistants with drive and creativity to join our dedicated and welcoming team to support the lunch time sessions for our pupils. You will provide support for our pupils at lunchtime, both with eating and drinking, and joining in leisure activities. You will also be required to support their personal care. It is essential that you have experience of working with or caring for children. Working within a school and with children with disabilities is desirable, however not essential.

Key Responsibilities

• To assist in preparing the dining hall for lunchtime.
• To help move pupils, following the advice of therapists.
• To serve pupils lunch, and assist them with feeding, including gastrostomy as required.
• To encourage social interaction with pupils.
• Assist with the personal care needs of pupils.

Key Requirements

• Experience of working with, or caring for children.
• Basic IT skills.
• Good range of communication skills and ability to follow instructions.
• Willingness and ability to learn new skills in relation to SEN, including medical and personal care needs.

What the school offers its staff

OHCAT is an exciting, forward-thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Below is just a selection of the benefits available to our employees:

Rewards & Benefits

• Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme)
• Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme
• Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
• Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)

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.