Pupil Welfare Auxiliary in Belfast

JOB PURPOSE
To be responsible for a confidential pupil care, health and hygiene service at school.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

PUPIL CARE

• Care for all sick pupils and make arrangements for supervised and secure transport for sick/injured pupils to be taken home or to hospital as required.
• Ensure that pupils requiring regular medication maintain their treatment under the written advice of their medical practitioner and with the written permission of their parent/guardian.
• Inform principal/teacher and parents/guardians when medical attention is required.
• Organise and assist during all educational/medical welfare service visits.
• Provide consultation to individuals or groups on health related issues as required.
• Communicate with appropriate personnel regarding welfare of pupils.
• Regularly inspect the cloakroom/toilet areas for standards of hygiene.
• Advise Principal on occupational health issues and risk assessment after accidents.
• Advise Principal on health and safety issues related to the post.

ADMINISTRATION

• Operate manual and/or computerised information systems in relation to administrative tasks associated with the area of work.
• Complete and submit all records/returns as required.
• Maintain an inventory/records of resources.
• Order/purchase, receive, check, store, securely and distribute resources.
• Assist in school administration and photocopy as directed.

GENERAL

• Assist in maintaining standards of good order and cleanliness in the medical room and throughout the school.
• Implement all relevant school policies and procedures.
• Participate in any relevant training as directed by the Principal.
• Such other duties as may be assigned within the level of the post.

FLEXIBLE WORKING OPTIONS AVAILABLE

• OPTION 1: You are required to be on duty during school term plus two additional weeks. The timing of the two additional weeks is at the discretion of the Principal of the school.
• OPTION 2: You are required to be on duty for the contracted weekly hours, working during periods of school closure except when on annual leave or other authorised absence. Duties will normally be provided by the school. However, where necessary, alternative work and/or training will be provided by the Authority at any other such place of employment as may be reasonably required.
• OPTION 3: To work as for option 2 with a further option to request periods of unpaid leave during extended school holidays or closures.

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.

You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria.

SECTION 1 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

• Experience: Have an up-to-date first aid certificate OR a nursing qualification as recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council or a health care support qualification; AND Have a minimum of one years’ experience in a paid capacity of working in a supervisory, caring or nursing role.

Knowledge

• Evidence of knowledge of the following areas:
• Knowledge of the requirements of a Pupil Welfare Auxiliary.
• Knowledge of welfare issues.
• Knowledge of health and hygiene issues.

SECTION 2 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage.

• Skills / Abilities: Evidence of an ability to diagnose ailments and injuries.
• Evidence of effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven effective team working skills.
• Evidence of good planning and organising skills to ensure work is completed on time to the required standard.
• Evidence of good ICT Skills.

Values Orientation

• Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect the school’s values/ethos. You will find information about the school’s values/ethos on our school website.

SECTION 3 - DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

• Experience: Hold a nursing qualification as recognised by the Nursery and Midwifery Council.
• Have a minimum of 6 months’ experience of working with children in a supervisory, caring or nursing role in a post-primary school.
• Have experience in a paid capacity of working in a school.

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. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.

Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.

APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES

To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here.