Phoenix Support Worker

As Phoenix is growing, we need to increase our staffing capacity with experienced, committed and likeminded professionals. The role of Phoenix Support Worker will complement the existing team and allow increased capacity for spaces for children and young people to access our provision.

Duties and responsibilities

Supporting children and young people by:

• Providing support for children and young people, including those with special needs, ensuring their safety and access to learning
• Establishing good relationships with children and young people, acting as a role model and being aware of and responding appropriately to individual needs
• Promoting the inclusion and acceptance of all children and young people
• Encouraging children and young people to interact with others and to engage in activities led by the teacher
• Encouraging children and young people to act independently as appropriate
• Preparing the indoor and outdoor environments for sessions and clearing afterwards
• Assisting with the display of children’s work
• Being aware of children and young people's problems/ progress/ achievements and reporting these to the teacher as agreed
• Being aware of/working within planned learning activities
• Working with staff in managing children and young people behaviour and reporting difficulties as appropriate

Support Phoenix by:

• Being aware of and complying with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, and reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
• Being aware of and supporting difference and ensuring all children and young people have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop
• Contributing to the overall ethos/work/aims of the provision
• Appreciating and supporting the role of other professionals
• Participating in training and other learning activities and performance development as required
• Accompanying teaching staff, children and young people on off site activities as required
• Providing transportation of children and young people as required

Other areas of responsibility 

Safeguarding 

• Ensure children and young people’ safety and welfare through effective approaches to safeguarding, as part of duty of care in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 
• Work with the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) to promote the best interests of children and young people, including sharing concerns where necessary
• Promote the safeguarding of all children and young people in the provision

Please note that this is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the staff will carry out. The postholder may be required to do other duties appropriate to the level of the role, as directed by the headteacher or line manager.

Person specification

Qualifications and training

• Relevant and appropriate professional qualifications
• Qualifications in supporting learning of children

Experience

• Successful experience of working with SEND children of different ages
• Experience planning and delivering sessions for children and young people 
• Experience of supporting challenging needs in a variety of scenarios, specifically SEMH needs

Skills and knowledge

• Knowledge of the barriers to learning that children and young people may face 
• Understanding of how different children learn
• Ability to adapt to meet children and young people’ needs
• Ability to build effective working relationships with children and young people
• Knowledge of guidance and requirements around safeguarding children
• Knowledge of effective behaviour management strategies
• Knowledge of risk assessment procedures to ensure safety at all times
• Good ICT skills, particularly using ICT to support learning

Personal qualities

• A commitment to getting the best outcomes for all children and young people and promoting the ethos and values of the provision
• High expectations for children’s attainment and progress
• A calm and consistent colleague to support children and young people
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality at all times
• Commitment to safeguarding and equality