Health Care Assistant

What skills and experience we're looking for

Main Purpose of the Role:

Under the direction of the HCA Lead and SLT, be responsible for and assist with the care and welfare of students.

Roles & Responsibilities:

To support the medical, personal care, and well being needs of pupils with complex anddiverse needs. This includes working closely with school teachers, TAs, nurses,therapists, and teaching staff to ensure pupils are safe, comfortable, and able to accesslearning.

Ensure familiarity with students’ EHCPs, All About Me documents, Individual ManagementPlans, and other relevant information. Contribute to these where required.

Under the direction of the HCA Lead, regularly review and update individual Intimate Careand Manual Handling Plans.

Assist with personal care, including support with toileting, changing pads, and hygiene.

Support students with manual handling following the school’s health and safety guidanceand procedures.

Support students at lunchtimes, including preparing specialist feeds, tending to feedingtubes and water flushes, and feeding where required. (Specialist training will be provided.)

Assist pupils with interventions and engage with other agencies as required.

When requested, assist with the compilation of reports and attend annual reviews.

Participate in meetings and discussions on specified pupils, and attend staff and teammeetings.

Liaise with parents as necessary.

Communicate with pupils using Makaton, Communication Book, AAC, or other non-verbalmeans of communication. (Specialist training will be provided.)

Administer medication under the guidance of the nursing team, and support the needs ofstudents as outlined in EHCPs and support plans.

Support students with swimming, including changing and assisting them in the pool.

Report any concerns or outcomes to the Lead HCA.

Confidentially engage with school IT systems and participate in specialist training.

Fully and positively participate in the school’s appraisal processes and engage in ongoingspecialist training and professional development.

What the school offers its staff

Marjorie McClure School, where learning is an exciting adventure filled withcreativity, inspiration, and opportunities for every individual to grow and shine. As anoutstanding foundation special school for students aged 4-19 with complex medical needsand physical disabilities, we provide a nurturing environment where every achievement, nomatter how small, is celebrated. At Marjorie McClure, we are more than a school—we are afamily that fosters growth, independence, and community connections.

Our personalised curriculum goes beyond academics, prioritising communication, life skills,and social development. Collaboration is key to our success, and we work closely with adedicated team of healthcare professionals, including nurses, speech and languagetherapists, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists, all based on-site.

In April 2023, we entered an exciting new chapter by moving into our purpose-built school.This state-of-the-art facility is designed to meet the needs of our students, featuring awheelchair-friendly playground, sensory and immersive rooms, soft play areas, and arebound therapy room. We’re also proud to showcase our Chelsea Flower Show garden,which has become a cherished highlight of our new campus.

At Marjorie McClure School, we believe in the power of education to transform lives, andwe’re excited to continue this journey with our students, families, and community.

Nexus Education Schools Trust (NEST) a rapidly growing Multi-Academy Trust with 20 vibrant primary schools across Bromley, Kent, Lewisham and Southwark. Over the past fiveyears, we’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring our schools provide exceptionallearning opportunities for every pupil.

We are proud partners with a number of multi-academy trusts and groups of maintainedschools, creating a collaborative network that enhances educational experiences across theregion. As part of our commitment to developing outstanding teaching, we also oversee theThames South Teaching School Hub, delivering high-quality teacher training andprofessional development in Bromley, Bexley and Greenwich.

At NEST, we believe in the power of collaboration. Our schools are united by a shareddedication to creating a culture of continuous learning, where inclusion is at the heart ofeverything we do. Each school plays a vital role in building a strong, interconnectedprofessional learning community, driving success across our entire trust.

We are driven by a clear, moral purpose:

“To provide excellence and opportunity for all, transforming lives througheducation and inspiring the leaders of tomorrow”

Nexus Education Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare ofchildren and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.