At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students' welfare and personal care while fostering their emotional growth.
- Company: Penny Field School, a unique special school with a nurturing environment.
- Benefits: Supportive team, professional development, and rewarding experiences with amazing students.
- Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to inclusivity and community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children with complex needs.
- Qualifications: Ability to connect with children, basic tech skills, and commitment to safety.
The predicted salary is between 15581 - 16078 £ per year.
Join Our Team: Educare Assistant Needed at Penny Field School!
Hours of work: 9am - 3pm, Monday to Friday - 27.5hrs per week
Pay Grade: B1 Scale (Points 4-6) £15,581 to £16,078 Actual per annum
About Us
Penny Field School is a truly unique special school catering to fantastic children and young people aged 2-19 with severe and complex needs. As part of the Wellspring Academy Trust, our mission is to provide high-quality, bespoke learning experiences that support our students' journeys toward independence and community inclusion. We provide a safe and nurturing environment where every student can thrive.
The Role
As an Educare Assistant, you will be a vital member of our pastoral support team. Working under the direct instruction of the Lead Educarer, you will enable students to access their curriculum by supporting their day-to-day welfare, emotional growth and personal care.
Key Responsibilities
- Personal & Intimate Care: Attend to students' personal, health, hygiene and medical needs including feeding, toileting, moving/handling, and hydrotherapy/swimming.
- Environment Readiness: Ensure the cleanliness, safety, and 'operating readiness' of changing spaces and learning areas (laundry duties, restocking wipes/gloves, sanitising standing frames).
- Relationship Building: Establish trusting, supportive and positive relationships with students, acting as an exceptional role model.
- Enrichment & Collaboration: Participate in school enrichment activities and work cohesively within a multi-disciplinary team around the child.
What We Offer You
- A happy, welcoming, and deeply supportive team of staff.
- Strong, passionate leadership that puts the needs of students first.
- A firm commitment to your ongoing professional development and training.
- Wonderful students who will reward your hard work with memories that last a lifetime.
Who We Are Looking For
- Someone with the ability to relate well to both children and adults.
- Someone who has a safe, calm and happy approach to working constructively within a team.
- Basic technology skills (computers, video, photocopiers).
- A strong commitment to child protection, health and safety, and confidentiality protocols.
- Good numeracy and literacy skills.
Please review the full job description and person specification in the attached supporting documents. If you require any further information please contact: Hannah Duffey at hannah.duffey@pennyfield.org.uk
Closing date for applications is: 9am on Thursday 2 July, 2026.
Wellspring Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils. All posts are offered subject to enhanced DBS checks. References will be requested and an online search carried out for shortlisted candidates, prior to attendance at interview. Further pre-employment checks, including prohibition from teaching, childcare disqualification and section 128 checks, if deemed relevant for the role, will be completed for the successful candidate upon acceptance of the post.
We are committed to equal opportunities and to promoting diversity. We want our people to reflect the diversity of our communities, and we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, especially from under-represented groups, including those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
If you are currently living overseas or have lived/worked overseas in the last five years please be aware that you will be required to provide an overseas criminal records check from the country/countries you have resided in, if you are the preferred candidate for the post.
As you will be working with children, this post requires you to undertake regulated activity. It is an offence to seek to work in regulated activity with a group with which you are barred.
Educare Assistant in Leeds employer: Penny Field School
Penny Field School is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and nurturing environment where Educare Assistants can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children with severe and complex needs. With a strong commitment to professional development and a passionate leadership team, employees are encouraged to grow within their roles and contribute to a collaborative, enriching atmosphere that celebrates diversity and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Educare Assistant in Leeds
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Penny Field School.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Penny Field School!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Penny Field School, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Penny Field School or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Educare Assistant in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Penny Field School:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Penny Field School! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Penny Field School
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
