General Assistant 1 in Belfast

REPORTS TO: The Principal through class teacher

JOB PURPOSE: To be responsible to the Principal for the provision of assistance to teachers/classroom assistants in/outside school with care of pupils.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist pupils with toileting/personal hygiene/dressing including the use of basic toileting aids.
• Ensure the safe mobility and general supervision of the pupil/s within school premises, including the playground and on school outings, transporting pupil’s belongings (if required).
• Accompany teachers, classroom assistants and/or therapy staff with groups on outings or in respect of individual/group therapy programmes, e.g. swimming, educational outings, hydrotherapy etc.
• Ensure appropriate care and feeding of pupils at meal times.
• Ensure pupils comply with normal school rules and routines during the school day.
• Clean equipment connected with daily activities in classroom and assist with setting out equipment as directed.
• Such other duties as may be assigned within the level of the post. Those duties should be non-curricular.

GENERAL CONDITIONS:

• Carry out all duties to comply with the Health and Safety at Work (NI) order 1978; Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments and Regulations and other legal requirements; Codes of Practice.
• Carry out all duties in the working conditions normally inherent in the particular job.
• Complete all necessary paperwork.
• Carry out duties for jobs up to and including those in the same grade, provided such duties are within the competence of the employee.
• This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS: You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.

SECTION 1 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Have a minimum of three months’ demonstrable experience of working with a child/children in a formal environment ie school, nursery or playgroup.
• Demonstrable experience in one or more of the following areas: Providing direct support to a child/children in a formal environment ie school, nursery or playgroup; Providing support to a teacher and/or school staff inside or outside of the classroom.

SECTION 2 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Demonstrable knowledge of the requirements of a General Assistant 1.
• Willingness to undertake job related training as and when required.

SECTION 3 - DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

• Evidence of a working knowledge of one or more of the following IT systems: Microsoft Word and Outlook; C2K schools IT systems.

DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND: The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’. In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate.

APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES: The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.