Education, Health, and Care Assistant (EHCA)

Location: Plymouth
Position: Education, Health, and Care Assistant (EHCA)
Salary: Competitive, depending on experience
Contract Type: Full-time/Part-time, Permanent

Are you compassionate, resilient, and dedicated to supporting children with complex educational, health, and care needs? We are seeking an Education, Health, and Care Assistant (EHCA) to join our team at a Special Educational Needs (SEN) Primary School in Plymouth. This role provides essential support to pupils with diverse needs, ensuring their access to learning and their overall well-being.

About the Role:

Working under the guidance of teaching staff, Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs), and medical staff, the EHCA will provide holistic support to pupils. This includes assisting with education and care programs and handling some medical support tasks to enable students’ full participation in school life. Duties may be conducted within the classroom, in designated school areas, or during off-site activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Educational Support: Provide specialist support for pupils with additional needs, ensuring they can access and engage with learning activities. Assist teachers with classroom management, record-keeping, and the planning of tailored learning activities.
• Health and Medical Support: Participate in training to develop medical competencies, such as gastrostomy support, airway management, and epilepsy treatment, under the direction of nursing staff. Assist with pupil first-aid, health care plans, and routine medical support.
• Care Responsibilities: Assist with Personal Care and Risk Assessments, promote positive pupil behavior, support intimate care duties, and ensure pupil safety during all learning activities.
• Collaborative Role: Work closely with other staff, parents, and outside professionals to deliver and implement Individual Education and Health Plans that foster communication, emotional well-being, and independence for each child.

Skills and Requirements:

• Experience with SEN: Prior experience supporting children with special educational needs is preferred.
• Medical Competencies: Willingness to undergo training in various medical and health competencies tailored to individual pupils’ needs.
• Physical Fitness: The role involves physical activity, such as lifting, assisting with mobility, and supporting pupils in water-based activities.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and oral communication skills to interact effectively with pupils, staff, and families. Experience with or willingness to learn communication aids, such as PECS and signing, is essential.
• Technical Skills: Basic IT skills and familiarity with classroom equipment, such as iPads and photocopiers, to support learning activities.

Working Conditions:

• Classroom Environment: Mainly based within classrooms but may include exposure to outdoor conditions during off-site activities or supervision of pupils outdoors.
• Emotional Resilience: Ability to manage stress from exposure to challenging behavior or welfare issues.
• Personal Care Needs: Comfort with handling bodily fluids and personal care as required by some students.

Why Join Us?

This role offers the chance to make a real difference in the lives of children with special needs by supporting their health, educational growth, and personal care. We provide comprehensive training, a supportive team environment, and a rewarding career where no two days are the same.

If you’re motivated, patient, and ready to empower students in an SEN setting, we’d love to hear from you!

All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.
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