At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with special educational needs in a nurturing school environment.
- Company: Join Polaris Education, a community dedicated to improving young lives for over 30 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension, life assurance, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Be part of a friendly team focused on emotional wellbeing and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Good standard of education and experience working with children preferred.
The predicted salary is between 31269 - 38217 £ per year.
Polaris Education - Becker School SEND Personal Care Assistant
Contract: Full Time, Term Time Only
Basic Salary: £21,257.48 - £23,232.69
Location: Batley, West Yorkshire
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Life Assurance
- Employee Discount Scheme
Are you ready to join a supportive and nurturing community that works together to achieve the very best outcomes for its pupils? If so, our new school in Batley could be the perfect place for you to develop your career and make a real difference to the lives of children and young people.
About the School
Located in Batley, Becker School offers a safe and supportive environment for pupils with ASC/SEMH needs aged 5-13. With significant investment and an abundance of new resources, the successful applicant will have the opportunity to shape and mould the school to create a supportive environment that promotes self-discipline and engagement and inspires learning. Our mission is to provide each pupil with a diverse and appropriate education that encourages aspiration and achievement. Our school forms part of the Polaris Community, which has been passionately improving the lives of young people for over 30 years, alongside our growing portfolio of schools across the UK. We're incredibly proud that 100% of our inspected education services have been rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted.
Job Summary
- Support children with special educational needs, providing learning, care and personal support
- Work as part of the school team to develop personal care programmes for pupils
- Assist with daily routines such as feeding, dressing, toileting, including nappy changes, and hygiene
- Support pupils with learning, personal care and social interaction
- Work proactively across the school to promote inclusive practice and maintain good order in the classroom
- Monitor pupils' progress through observation and assessment
- Record and report on pupils' achievement, progress and development
Main Duties and Key Responsibilities
- Support pupils with their individual personal care programmes throughout the school day, including personal hygiene, toileting, continence support, eating and drinking
- Assist pupils with daily activities such as washing, dressing, eating and toileting, including nappy changes
- Provide practical assistance with other identified physical needs, including dressing and mealtimes
- Maintain and clean personal care equipment, materials and clothing as required
- Monitor and replenish toiletry supplies
- Provide personal assistance to identified pupils during physical and practical activities, including physical education, cookery, school trips and therapeutic activities organised by the school
- Maintain accurate records relating to personal care in conjunction with the appropriate teacher
- Work in cooperation with other key workers involved in supporting pupils' educational and healthcare needs under the guidance of the class teacher or Deputy Headteacher
- Liaise with parents and carers to ensure continuity of care
- Supervise pupils during playtime and lunchtime
- Promote inclusion and acceptance of all pupils by encouraging positive interaction and engagement in teacher-led activities
Qualifications
- A good standard of general education, including proven numeracy and literacy skills.
Experience
- Relevant experience of working with children in a learning environment or nursery setting.
Skills and Abilities
- A good understanding of child development and relevant legal and safeguarding requirements relating to safety, dignity and care
- A mature and sensitive manner with excellent interpersonal skills
- The ability to work calmly under pressure and adapt quickly and effectively to changing circumstances
- The ability to work confidentially and efficiently, using your own initiative
- The ability to work effectively as part of a team and take a flexible approach to daily routines
- The ability to inform, persuade, inspire and motivate pupils and provide feedback to professionals, parents and carers as required
Knowledge
- Knowledge of procedures for providing personal care support to children and young people
- Ability to accurately record observations as required
- Knowledge and understanding of child protection and safeguarding practices and protocols
Desirable
- Knowledge or understanding of working with children with special educational needs, especially Autism or those with speech and language difficulties
- A Learning Support qualification at NVQ Level 2 or above, or equivalent
What We Offer
- A workplace that values the emotional health and wellbeing of everyone (you included!)
- Support for your professional development through a wide range of learning opportunities
- An opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the lives and lifelong learning of vulnerable children who deserve high-quality teaching in a safe educational provision
- A friendly and inclusive team that is passionate about improving pupil outcomes
The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check, the cost of which will be met by Polaris Community. Polaris Community is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. Polaris Community is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
Personal Care Assistant - SEN School in Batley employer: Polaris Community
At Redstone Hall School in Ipswich, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to the emotional health and wellbeing of our staff and students alike. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through a variety of development opportunities, while our commitment to providing high-quality education ensures that you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable children. Join our passionate team and contribute to a positive environment where every member feels valued and empowered.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Personal Care Assistant - SEN School in Batley
✨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 Polaris Community.
✨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 Polaris Community!
✨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 Polaris Community, 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 Polaris Community 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 Personal Care Assistant - SEN School in Batley
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 Polaris Community:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Polaris Community! 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 Polaris Community
✨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.
