The Governing Body is looking for passionate and motivated Lunchtime Assistants to join our amazing team.
Millstead School caters for children aged 2 – 11 years who have severe or profound learning and/or physical needs, including complex autism.
The governors and headteacher of our OUTSTANDING school (Ofsted January 2024) are looking for engaging individuals who have the desire, drive and enthusiasm to make a difference to our pupils’ lives and who can make an immediate contribution to the way our pupils learn and interact. They should be dynamic in their approach to making learning fun and accessible for all pupils.
The successful candidates will work with a talented and friendly staff team who are both forward thinking and innovative, and who have high expectations of themselves and the pupils they support.
At Millstead School no two days are ever the same. Some days are challenging, most days are fun and every day is rewarding.
Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment to keeping children safe. Any offer of employment will be subject to statutory pre-employment checks including satisfactory references and Enhanced DBS and Barred List checks. This post is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (as amended in 2013 & 2020) and shortlisted candidates will be required to disclose any relevant criminal history prior to interview.
The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (amended 2013 and 2020) provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The MOJ’s guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-filtering-guidance
Main purpose of the role
To work with teachers as part of a professional team to support teaching and learning and pastoral support for pupils with a range of SEND needs during the lunchtime period.
Providing support to pupils who need particular help to overcome barriers to learning and play, such as those with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties, communication, sensory or physical disabilities.
Core responsibilities and tasks
Key duties:
1. Support pupils during the lunchtime period in the dining hall, classroom and on the play yards
2. Work with individuals or small groups of pupils in the classroom under the direct supervision of teaching staff e.g. reading, games, crafts etc and provide feedback to the teacher
3. Work with pupils on therapy or care programmes, designed and supervised by a therapist/class teacher
4. Support pupils to understand instructions to support independence in their self-care and play
5. Support the class teams in the positive management of behaviour and keeping pupils on task and well-regulated
6. Attend to pupils’ personal needs including toileting, hygiene, dressing and eating, as well as help with social, welfare and health matters, reporting problems to the teacher as appropriate. Physically assist pupils in activities (may involve lifting using a hoist where mobility is an issue)
7. Prepare and clear up the learning and play environments and resources and contribute to maintaining a safe school environment.
Additional Support Needs Assistants at this level may also undertake any or all of the following:
1. Administer medication in accordance with an agreed plan under direction of healthcare practitioner and following appropriate training
2. Update pupil records
3. Support children’s learning through play
4. Assist with lunch break supervision including facilitating games and activities
5. Support pupils in using basic ICT
6. Undertake moving and handling activities as required.
Knowledge, skills and experience
• Working at or towards national occupational standards (NOS) in Supporting Teaching and Learning (core and relevant optional units as required)
• Knowledge and compliance with policies and procedures relevant to child protection and health and safety.
All training will be provided.
KEY AREAS
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
SUPPORT FOR PUPILS
*good levels of literacy/numeracy and good communication skills
*understand how children learn and be able to support learning
*show an interest in pupils and support them to become independent
*assist pupils with physical needs and personal care including feeding and intimate care needs
*support pupils in maintaining good standards of health & hygiene
*be able to respond to any difficulties quickly and effectively
*be able to assist with break and lunchtime supervision including facilitating games and activities.
DESIRABLE
*Working at or towards national occupational standards (NOS) in Supporting Teaching and Learning (core and relevant optional units as required)
* experience of working in a school/care environment
*have a knowledge of basic first aid
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
SUPPORT FOR TEACHERS
*understand classroom roles and responsibilities
*have knowledge of and compliance with the school’s Health & Safety, Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, record keeping system, policies and procedures
*understand and comply with the requirements regarding confidentiality
*be able to supervise and assist pupils in their learning, ensuring that all pupils are included
*understand and employ agreed strategies to manage pupil behaviour
*be able to work as part of a team
DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS
*be able to set up ICT resources for classroom use
*be able to identify any risks to health, safety or security and take appropriate action to minimise risks.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
SUPPORT FOR THE CURRICULUM
*be able to provide feedback to teachers on pupil progress and achievements
*understand how to support the children’s learning through play
*understand and support independent learning and inclusion of all pupils
Please note:
This work requires emotional and physical resilience.
The work does involve sitting at low tables or on the floor and may involve lifting or restraint of pupils; there is training available.
The work is in a busy and, at times, noisy environment, with intensive interactions with pupils with communication and interaction difficulties
Working with Special Educational Needs pupils requires a particular understanding and appreciation of the individual needs, such as physical limitations, learning, emotional, behavioural and language difficulties or problems with organisation.
The behaviour of such children is often extremely challenging and is therefore emotionally and physically demanding. In some cases the nature of the pupils’ special need may result in staff being verbally or physically assaulted.
The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Visits are encouraged. Please contact the school office on 0151-207-4656 to arrange a visit.
Application packs are available to download from our website; www.millsteadschool.co.uk; navigate to the Information signpost – Job Opportunities. Paper copies can be collected from the school office by prior arrangement. Applications should be returned to: [email protected] Closing date for applications will be Friday 30th June 2026 at 12 noon.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by phone and invited to interview.
