Core Purpose: 

• To be responsible for securing and maintaining the safety, welfare and conduct of pupils in the dining areas, playground and circulation areas during the midday break period. 

Main Duties:

Pastoral Care & Supervision:

• To supervise the children in the classrooms, corridors and playground. This will include supervision indoors in wet weather. 

• To take prompt action when dealing with accidents and incidents and reporting those to the senior supervisor in charge. 

• To be proactive in seeking information about specific children their needs, behaviours and strategies to support them. 

• To promote high standards of behaviour. 

• To be particularly aware of the exits and entrances to the playgrounds and ensure that they are supervised at all times to prevent wrongful access to or exit of any child. 

• To report concerns in relation to child protection to the designated teacher or Headteacher. 

• To listen to children and respond to their needs in accordance with school policy and procedures. 

• To attend to the health, welfare and safety of children during lunchtime adhering to school’s Health and Safety Policy and procedures at all times. 

First Aid:

• To give basic aid to injured children including making an assessment of the problem, calling for assistance of the nominated First Aider or escorting the child to the Welfare Room. 

Dining Room – General Duties:

• To assist in preparation for the mealtime, including setting up the Dining Hall and issuing meals, supervising toileting and hand washing, access to packed lunches, queuing in corridors and in the Dining Hall, movement of children to and from the Dining Hall. 

• To be diligent in relation to safety by ensuring that wet floors, spillages, etc. are dealt with promptly. 

• To assist children with meals, e.g., opening packed lunches and drink containers. 

• To assist with clearing of used equipment, wiping down tables during continuous sittings to ensure cleanliness of places for subsequent children, mopping up spillages on floors and wiping tables at the end of the lunch session. 

• To direct pupils to seats. 

• To encourage pupils to eat and be aware of pupils on special or restricted diets for medical reasons. 

• To encourage social skills and good table manners, ensuring safety with knives and forks. 

Professional Development:

• To engage in continuing professional development by attending relevant training. 

• To attend meetings for lunchtime support assistants, staff meetings and training days when required. 

1. EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS, QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING 

Desirable 

• a first aid qualification 

• a relevant qualification in relation to working with children 

2. EXPERIENCE 

Essential 

• experience of working as part of a team 

Desirable: 

• experience of working with children and families in a school setting 

3. JOB RELATED KNOWLEDGE, APTITUDES AND SKILLS 

Essential 

• an ability to show initiative and apply effective strategies to deal with situations which may arise in the playground e.g., taking appropriate action if it starts raining or dealing with a disagreement between children 

• an ability to interact positively with pupils, parents and colleagues 

Desirable: 

• a knowledge of different playground games and activities and an ability to engage children in cooperative play 

• Knowledge of relevant community languages – Arabic, Somali, Urdu, Gujarati, Romanian

4. PERSONAL QUALITIES 

Essential 

• Confidence, warmth, sensitivity, reliability and enthusiasm 

• Ability to communicate effectively with children and young people 

• Good interpersonal skills 

5. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES 

Essential 

• Commitment to equality of opportunity for all regardless of gender, disability, religion, and ethnic origin