SEND Personal Care Assistant in Batley

Benefits: Company Pension, Life Assurance, Employee Discount Scheme

Location: Becker School, Batley

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 Us

Located in Batley, Becker School offers a safe and supportive environment for pupils with ASC / SEMH needs from 5 to 13 years old. 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, engagement, and inspires learning. Our mission is to provide each pupil with a diverse and appropriate education that encourages aspiration and achievement.

We are part of the Polaris Community and have been passionately improving the lives of young people for over 30 years. Within the Polaris Community, we have several SEN Schools across the UK that work together to provide each pupil with a tailored, diverse, and appropriate education in a safe, supportive environment that promotes engagement, inspires learning, and encourages achievement. We’re also incredibly proud that 100% of our inspected services have been rated as Good or Outstanding by Ofsted.

Job Summary

• Supporting children with special educational needs, providing learning, care and personal support.
• Work as part of the school team in the development of personal care programmes for pupils.
• Assisting with daily routines like feeding, dressing, toileting (including nappy changes) and hygiene.
• Supporting pupils with learning, personal care and social interaction.
• Work proactively across the school to ensure that inclusive practices and good order are maintained in the classroom.
• Monitor pupils by observational assessment.
• Record and report on pupils’ achievement, progress and development.

Main Duties and Key Responsibilities

• Assist pupils in implementing their own personal care programmes during the school day, specifically in relation to practical support for personal hygiene, toileting and continence training and eating and drinking.
• Assist pupils with daily activities, such as washing, dressing, eating, toileting, including nappy changes.
• Provide practical assistance in relation to other identified physical needs e.g. dressing and mealtimes.
• Maintain and clean personal care equipment and materials, clothing etc.
• Maintain toiletry supplies.
• Provide personal assistance to identified pupil/pupils in physical/practical activities e.g. physical education, cookery, school trips and therapeutic activities organised by the school.
• Keep records related to personal care in conjunction with the appropriate teacher.
• Work in cooperation with other key workers involved in supporting the pupils’ educational and health care needs under the guidance of the Class Teacher or other Deputy Head Teacher.
• Liaise with parents and carers to ensure continuity of care.
• Oversee pupils at play time and lunchtime.
• Promote inclusion and acceptance of all pupils in the classroom by encouraging them to interact with each other and to engage in activities led by the teacher.

Qualifications

• High standard of general education including good proven numeracy and literacy skills.

Experience

• Successful relevant experience of working with children within a learning environment or within a nursery setting.

Skills and Abilities

• Good understanding of child development and the legal guidelines around safety, dignity and compliance.
• A mature and sensitive manner and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Be able to work calmly under pressure with the ability to adapt quickly and effectively to changing circumstances/situations.
• An ability to work confidentially, efficiently, and on own initiative.
• Be able to work as part of a team and to be flexible in approach to daily routine.
• Be able to inform, persuade, inspire, and motivate pupils and provide feedback to professionals, parents, and carers as required.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of procedures to provide personal care support to children and young people.
• Ability to record any observations accurately as required.
• Knowledge and understanding of child protection and safeguarding practices and protocols.
• Having the knowledge or understanding of working with children with special educational needs, especially Autism or those with speech and language difficulties. (Desirable)
• Hold a Learning Support qualification at NVQ Level 2 or above or equivalent (Desirable).

What we offer

• A workplace that values the emotional health and wellbeing of everybody (you included!).
• A commitment to support your development in acquiring new skills through a wide range of professional opportunities.
• An opportunity to make a huge 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 who are passionate about improving pupil outcomes.

The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS Check, 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.