Health Care Assistant (Part Time)

The Health Care Assistant plays a key role in co-ordinating the Health and Wellbeing Centre and providing support to the School Nurses. The Health and Wellbeing Centre provides medical care, first aid and health and wellbeing support to all pupils at PGS, from the Pre-School pupils from age 2 and a half to the Sixth Form students up to age 18. It also offers support to the wider school community, including all staff and visitors.

The Health and Wellbeing Centre is a new and extremely well-equipped facility on the main school site. It is staffed by two School Nurses, two Health Care Assistants and two School Counsellors, all of whom work part-time. In addition, the School Doctor (who is based at a local practice in Portsmouth) visits on a regular basis and is based in the Health and Wellbeing Centre during these visits.

This is a term time, part time role and the post holder will be in a job share with another Health Care Assistant who works two days each week. The vacancy is for 22.5 hours per week (7.5 hours per day) on Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesdays during PGS school terms. The hours of work are from 08.00 – 16.00 each day, with a 30 minute unpaid lunchbreak.

Some flexibility is required for the post-holder to attend INSET (Professional Development Days) which are scheduled throughout the school year and to be available to attend relevant training or meetings on other dates during the year. Where additional hours are worked in order to attend these sessions (in addition to the contracted hours of the role), overtime may be claimed via timesheets. The ability to work additional hours at short notice would be appreciated but is not a pre-requisite for the role.

The Health Care Assistants report to the School Nurses on day to day matters and the Senior Deputy Head has overall line management for the Health and Wellbeing Centre. The role is based in the Health and Wellbeing Centre on the main school site but visits may be required to the Upper Junior School site on Cambridge Road, to the PGS Sports Ground in Hilsea and other local venues to support school events such as Sport Day, the Whole School evacuation exercise to Old Portsmouth, and regular school services which are held at St Thomas’ Cathedral in Old Portsmouth.

The successful candidate will offer at least NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care or in Children’s Care, Learning and Development. In addition, he/she will hold a current First Aid qualification, either in First Aid at Work or in Paediatric First Aid.

Candidates should have experience of working in a team, ideally in a customer facing role working with the public or young people. Previous experience of a similar paid or volunteer role in an education or health care setting would be an advantage. Candidates should be able to demonstrate an interest in working with children and young people and supporting their health and wellbeing.

The successful candidate will be professional and friendly and able to demonstrate good interpersonal skills which are critical for effective communication with pupils, parents and staff across the school.

Excellent organisation skills are also essential to be able to prioritise tasks and work well within a small professional team. The successful candidate will be self-motivated and able to work flexibly and under pressure. The job carries a significant responsibility for the medical welfare of our school community and as such the ability to follow instructions safely and effectively and the willingness to work in all areas of provision offered by the Health and Wellbeing Centre are critical.

PGS is committed to safeguarding children and the successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure DBS check.

Candidates are also welcome to apply through the TES website using the application form linked to the PGS advert.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday 22nd November 2020 although candidates are asked to note that we would prefer to receive applications by Friday 20th November or earlier.  Interviews are scheduled to take place on Wednesday 25th November 2020.

Thank you for your understanding that we have made some adjustments to our usual interview process. In accordance with our current practice, interviews will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams.