Breaktime Support Assistant

Breaktime Support Assistants form an important part of our staff team, enhancing the lunchtime experience for our students to ensure that the social development of all is promoted, alongside a positive attitude to a healthy lifestyle. 

We are looking for individuals with some of the following skills, knowledge and experience:

• Ability to supervise students during playtime, both indoor and outdoor 
• Ability to engage with students and promote their social development and self esteem
• Ability to supervise students 1:1 at breaktime and lunchtime
• Ability to work in a classroom to release staff for their breaks
• Experience in supporting students giving careful attention to safety and well-being and actively encouraging play
• Understanding of behaviour issues and strategies to manage them
• Capacity to work flexibly across range of student settings
• Effective team working 
• Fluency in English
• Ability to work with staff to support with Manual Handling issues 

A programme of support and training will be offered.  Attendance on some training days would be required. Prior experience with students with complex learning needs is preferred but not essential as a programme of support and training will be offered.

Applicants who are invited to interview will also be observed working with students. 

Safeguarding Statement

Oak Grove College and West Sussex County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references.

How to Apply

NOTE TO CANDIDATES - Please do not select the ‘Apply online’ button as the school processes your applications directly rather than through this site.​

To apply for this role please click on the Application Attachment links below. 

Please complete the application form and ensure that you outline your motivations for applying and explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills in the job description). 

Once complete please return this to recruitment@oakgrovecollege.org.uk

Should you have any questions regarding the role or the application please contact the school directly.

Application Attachments:

• Application Form - Non Teaching
• Breaktimes Support Assistant Candidate Information Pack
• #LI-DNI

Key Duties

• Check noticeboards and morning email daily for notices.
• Be proactive in promoting and engaging in positive interactions with students during breaktime and lunchtime supervision period which supports the development of social interaction, both with groups of students and 1-1.
• Responsible for covering classroom duties to allow Teaching Assistants to take their allocated breaks.
• Supervise students during break and lunchtimes, both indoor and outdoor, giving careful attention to safety and well-being and actively encouraging their play.
• Cover Teaching Assistants lunches. 
• Serve out and, if necessary, cut up and prepare lunch for students so the students can swallow the food.
• Support and supervise students as they eat.
• Tidy up tables and chairs at the end of the meal.
• Ensure appropriate movement of students around the college site.
• Undertake various additional tasks e.g. cleaning students after soiling, helping students change if they get wet or muddy, taking them to a First aider if they have a minor accident.
• Prepare activities for play, getting equipment ready, supervising the activity, encouraging participation, interact with the students and put equipment away at the end of break and lunchtime.
• Supervise students during wet play, get out and play games and activities with students, putting activities and games away at the end of break.
• Ensure students go to the Assembly point (Courtyard) and follow the fire emergency plan if the fire alarm is activated. 
• Manage behaviours positively upholding the college rules and using distraction and de-escalation.
• Use strategies so that college can start their afternoon in a positive mood.
• Ensure that communication with college students is at their level and that appropriate resources are used to promote effective communication.
• Ensure that any equipment used with students is safe and suitable.
• Act as a role model for students, communicating effectively, dressing appropriately and being respectful towards students at all times.
• Be assertive and consistent in upholding the college rules especially in relation to health and safety.
• After discussion with class staff, follow college policies in relation to managing behaviour and promoting good standards in college. This will involve following specific plans, strategies and systems for individual students e.g. using symbol assisted communication. 
• Follow procedures on students S.O.S forms.
• Handover students to class staff, letting them know about how the break time has been, discussing any issues with them, ensuring the student is in the right place and ready for the next session.
• Exercise judgement in reporting both verbally and in written form any concerns about behaviour or possible safety or security risks.
• Deep clean tables and chairs when required/instructed by member of SLT.
• Take part in any training required suitable for the post.
• Any other reasonable task as directed by the Head Teacher.