Job Description

Contract:

Part-time, Term Time Only

Location:

Bluebell School, Kidsgrove, Stoke on Trent

Salary:

10,673 per annum

Hours of Work:

10.00 am to 2.00 pm Monday to Friday, term time only

Responsible to:

Class Teacher, School Business Manager

Bluebell School is part of a rapidly growing group of independent special schools with locations in the West Midlands, Cheshire and the Northwest, providing exceptional, holistic care, education and therapy to children from 3 to 19 with a range of complex social, emotional and mental health difficulties and learning needs.

Our aim is to provide innovative and enjoyable education, therapy and early intervention for pupils, sometimes (and only where appropriate) enabling them to successfully return to mainstream schooling, but always helping them to become happy, positive and valuable members of society.

Our schools enable pupils to access a curriculum that offers a personalised education rooted in social and emotional development, rich in speech and language, enabling the very best achievement both personally and academically.

We are currently recruiting for a Welfare Assistant to join our team of class teachers and teaching assistants providing support to pupils with special educational needs.

The position would suit an individual with the following essential skills:

Warm, caring and patient approach to supporting children and young people. Ability to carry out personal and intimate care professionally and respectfully. Understanding of safeguarding and confidentiality. Ability to follow policies, care plans, and instructions from leaders. Good communication skills and willingness to work as part of a multidisciplinary team. Ability to maintain high hygiene standards and undertake cleaning tasks.

Desirable

Experience working with children or young people with SEN. Training in manual handling, intimate care, basic first aid, or medical protocols. Understanding of autism, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, or complex needs.

Key Responsibilities

Personal Care & Hygiene

Support pupils with

nappy changing

, toileting routines, and continence development according to individual care plans. Maintain strict hygiene standards and follow the school's Intimate Care Policy at all times. Assist with dressing, undressing, washing, and personal grooming where required. Use appropriate equipment (e.g., changing beds) safely and competently after training.

Lunchtime & Break Support

Supervise pupils during lunchtime in dining areas, classrooms, or outdoor spaces. Provide

feeding support

, including cutting food, hand-over-hand support, or supporting alternative feeding methods where trained and required. Encourage positive social interaction, communication and independence during mealtimes. Manage behaviour and ensure a calm, safe environment.

Health, Safety, Welfare & Cleaning

Implement individual healthcare plans and follow medical protocols once trained. Monitor pupils' wellbeing and report concerns to teaching staff, safeguarding leads, or health professionals. Follow all safeguarding procedures and maintain confidentiality. Ensure the cleanliness and safe upkeep of welfare areas, changing rooms, toilets, communal areas, equipment and dining spaces.

Classroom & Learning Support (as needed)

Assist teaching staff in supporting pupils' engagement in learning activities during transitions or at points of need. Reinforce communication methods used by pupils (e.g., PECS, Makaton, AAC devices) after appropriate training. Assist with the general pastoral care of pupils, including helping pupils who are unwell, distressed or unsettled and have emotional and behavioural difficulties. Help pupils to regulate emotions and maintain a sense of safety and security.

Teamwork & Communication

Work closely with teachers, therapists, and support assistants to meet pupil needs. Attend relevant training, including safeguarding, manual handling, intimate care, and medical protocols. Record and report welfare information accurately following school procedures.

General responsibilities and duties

Be a member of a team of professionals, providing therapeutic care and support to children Ensure the emotional and physical wellbeing of all the children by meeting their needs in line with the National Minimum Care Standards and Hopedale's policies and procedures. Ensure that the dignity of all children in residence is upheld. Work with team members to achieve a warm, familial, therapeutic atmosphere within the home and school Be alert to signs of distress or abuse, and to ensure that residents and staff are kept informed Be sensitive to the needs of individual children, taking account of race, culture, language and religion Actively promote and celebrate diversity Work within the Hopedale Ethos; promoting and working towards our shared vision Any other reasonable tasks deemed appropriate by Hopedale Children and Family Services

The list of duties contained in this job description is not exhaustive and will develop in accordance with the needs of the home, school and children.

At Hopedale, we recognise the importance of helping our employees to protect their health and lifestyle and that of their family.

Employee Benefits include:

Life Assurance Cover with Unum (3 x annual salary death in service benefit) Employee Assistance Programme with

Help@Hand

by Unum. Blue Light Card Membership Free Confidential Support with a member of the in-house Therapy Team Annual Staff Well Being Day Monthly Well Being Breakfast Free school dinner Free staff uniform provided Free flu vaccinations Comprehensive ongoing training package Group pension scheme Cycle to Work Scheme Electric Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme A number of optional additional benefits: Critical illness insurance with an option to cover partner - protection in case the worst happens Dental insurance - to offset those inevitable dentist bills Health cash plan - for cash back on a range of daily treatments
Hopedale is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with current and past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

We are an equal opportunities employer.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 10,673.00 per year

Expected hours: 20 per week

Work Location: In person