Health Care Assistant

About Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury is a disability charity offering care, education, vocational and rehab services. The charity also provides residential care, nursing and supported living. Within the education sector, Shaftesbury has one school, Shaftesbury Victoria School, and 2 further education colleges, Shaftesbury Millie College and Shaftesbury Nash College. The school is for students aged 3-19, and the colleges are for students aged 16-25. All students have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), as well as physical and/or intellectual disabilities, and some have profound and complex learning needs.

About The Role

We are looking for a motivated and compassionate Health Care Assistant to provide a high standard of health, therapy and social care to enable students to access learning and achieve their maximum potential. This role will be working 1:1 or 2:1 with a student as well as working in a group over communal activities, supporting educational and therapeutic programs as needed. You will cooperate closely with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and external agencies. You will be responsible for maintaining exceptional standards of care, administering medication, and fostering a culture of safety, compliance and excellence to support meaningful learning experiences for students with additional needs. Training will be given, but some experience of working with complex health needs would be advantageous.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a friendly and dedicated multi-disciplinary team to ensure students’ care needs and therapy programs are met during the college day. It will involve participating in class-based activities across our enterprise sessions to promote students’ independence. The successful candidate will understand the importance of providing high quality care and promoting independence. You will have strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to act calmly and respond in a professional manner in occasionally challenging situations. Able to work under your own initiative, you will use supervision and support systems for effective service delivery. An awareness of safeguarding and relevant policies, procedures and legislation is required.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Care Lead and wider college team in meeting the complex health, wellbeing and educational needs of students. This may include sharing knowledge and training. Moving and handling forms a large part of this role.
• Act independently, following care plans and appropriate medical protocols if required.
• Assist with daily personal care routines, administering medication, health monitoring, maintaining hygiene standards, and support with eating and drinking.
• Maintain accurate records and confidentiality at all times ensuring compliance.

Essential Skills & Qualifications

• Knowledge of the care requirements of children and young people.
• To have, or be working towards, an NVQ level 3 qualification (or equivalent) in Health Care, or a willingness to undertake.
• Practical experience working within a medical/care environment, or lived experience of providing care is desirable.
• Experience of building positive relationships with children and young people.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team.

Why Join Us?

• Make a meaningful impact on the wellbeing of students, and their ability to access education and the wider community.
• Work alongside a dedicated, passionate team in a supportive, inclusive environment.
• Term time working, providing a work-home balance.
• One-of-a-kind work environment, set on a 350-acre countryside site near Poole.

Safeguarding

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Shaftesbury Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and staff. It is the responsibility of all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check and will follow our rigorous safer recruitment processes.

Equality and Diversity

Shaftesbury is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. Shaftesbury aims to create and sustain an inclusive work environment which provides equality of opportunity for everyone and reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. The post holder will be required to uphold the Equality and Diversity Policy and comply with the code of conduct which sets out our standards of behaviour towards those who use our services or work within them.

Application Process

Job description and application form available on request – please contact Cenan Chappell, cchappell@victoria.poole.sch.uk. Please provide a covering letter with the application form. Closing date: 30/1/25. Interview Dates: To be confirmed. Early applications are strongly encouraged, and we reserve the right to close the advert should we feel able to appoint an appropriate candidate before the above dates. Visits to the setting are welcomed, and encouraged, by arrangement.