Pastoral support staff

Pupil support staff are responsible for the welfare of pupils during break, lunchtime and outside school hours.

This group also includes those who assist pupils with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

All school support staff can access a range of CPD and training at Ealing CPD online.

SMSA/Midday supervisors

SMSA’s/ Midday supervisors look after the welfare of pupils in the dinner hall and playground during lunchtime.

The role includes:

• supervision of pupils at all times during lunchtime on the school premises.
• ensuring that the pupils are behaving appropriately in line with the schools behaviour policy at all times including the dining room, playground and during wet lunch times.
• engagement with pupils to ensure that they are active in purposeful and co-operative behaviour throughout the lunchtime period.
• in the event of any spillage inform the appropriate person and take necessary action immediately to avoid possible accidents
• to take reasonable precautions whilst in charge of pupils to see that they do nothing that is likely to injure themselves or others.
• in the event of any injuries or sickness making sure they are dealt with according to the school’s policy.

In line with the current healthy lifestyles agenda, information about healthy eating and links to food in schools' websites/organisations can be found on the following page: healthy schools.

Play workers

Play workers plan, organise and supervise formal and informal, recreational and social educational activities for children, having due regard to the varying age ranges during the school day and after school.

Their role is to create and maintain a purposeful, orderly and supportive playing environment and to help develop strategies for promoting positive behaviour during play whilst promoting and working to achieve the Every Child Matters outcomes.

A senior play worker in addition to the above will have the lead responsibility for devising and implementing an imaginative programme of educational and recreational activities for children.

They will assist in inducting new members of staff, supervising and managing day-to-day activities and may have performance management responsibility of other staff.

Pupil and family worker

The role of a pupil and family worker is to support the behaviour, pastoral and welfare support for learning, addressing the needs of children who need support to overcome barriers to learning both inside and outside the school in order to achieve their full potential.

Parent support advisors (PSAs)

A PSA's role is to understand the primary rights and responsibilities of parents in raising their children and support parents by helping them improve their parenting skills, for example, by running basic parenting classes and providing appropriate information or referrals.

As a PSA you will work with parents in a school context, supporting them and building their engagement with their child’s learning.

A PSA will identify with parents reasons for their children’s non-attendance and work with them and others to achieve regular attendance and reduce exclusion.

CPD online training for staff

Learning Mentors, SMSAs, play workers, parent support advisors, pupil and family workers can access training on Ealing CPD online.