Supervisory Assistant

Overview and Job Purpose

The Supervisory Assistant role entails responsibility, individually or as part of a team, for monitoring children and maintaining discipline during the mid-day break at school. This interval covers the period between the end of morning lessons and the start of afternoon sessions, ensuring children remain safe and well-supervised on the school premises.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in supervising students across the school and its grounds to enforce health and safety guidelines and school discipline.
• Coordinate with the principal or senior supervisory assistant on all matters related to mid-day supervision.
• Address minor issues, handle accidents or sickness, and promptly report serious incidents to the principal or senior supervisory assistant.
• Oversee children during meal times, including managing movement between classrooms and dining areas, supervising queues and seating, and monitoring dining conduct.
• Manage duties such as collecting dinner tickets, distributing meals, cleaning spillages, clearing tables, and disposing of litter in all areas where food is consumed including packed lunch zones.
• Perform delegated tasks related to cash cafeterias when required.
• Comply with legal and safety requirements such as the Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978, relevant Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments, and Codes of Practice.
• Complete required paperwork and perform tasks appropriate to this and equivalent job grades within capability.

Person Specification and Selection Criteria

Applicants must clearly explain on their application how they meet both essential and desirable criteria. Shortlisting is conducted based on essential criteria documented below, with possible application of desirable criteria to manage candidate pool.

Essential Criteria (Shortlisting and Interview Stage)

• Experience working with or supervising children in formal settings such as schools, nurseries, or playgroups.
• Knowledge of supervisory assistant responsibilities, child protection and safeguarding relevant to the role, and applicable health and safety regulations.
• Willingness to undertake necessary job-related training as required.
• Abilities including flexible working to maintain safe, child-focused supervision; effective interpersonal and communication skills; teamwork skills; and good planning and organizational capabilities.
• Demonstrated alignment with the school's values and ethos.

Desirable Criteria

• At least six months of experience working with or supervising children in formal environments like schools or nurseries.

Additional Information

Successful candidates will have to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background due to the regulated nature of the role working with children. The cost for the Enhanced Disclosure Certificate will be borne by the appointee. Detailed guidance and applicant notes are provided by the employer.

The Education Authority is committed to equal opportunities and expects the post-holder to promote equality of opportunity and good relations consistent with the Northern Ireland Act (1998).