Play & Engagement Support Assistant
| Posting date: | 28 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 07 May 2026 |
| Location: | Solihull, West Midlands, B90 2AZ |
| Company: | Teaching Vacancies |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 2039c29e-e633-4aa7-8137-fdcc0517906c |
Summary
What skills and experience we're looking for
Skilled in listening to and being able to socialise and communicate with children
Ability to engage and communicate effectively with children
Ability to support children positively through play
Ability to follow care plans,guidanceand procedures
Able to build good relationships with children, their parents and carers
Able to understand the needs of children
Calm, patient and empathetic approach
Ability to work on own initiative while working within guidelines.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team
Experience of working with children with SEND and developing and supporting programmes of activities for them
Experience of operating effective systems for planning, recording, evaluating and monitoring
Experience of ensuring the health, safety and welfare of children
Basic understanding of child development and learning
Awareness of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities
What the school offers its staff
A Truly Supportive Environment – We are a school where staff are respected, supported, and celebrated. From peer mentoring and team collaboration to well-being initiatives and coaching, we invest in you.
Staff have access to a wider range of health and wellbeing support both in and beyond school.
Continuous Professional Growth – With regular CPD, coaching, supervision and career development pathways, we develop talent for future leadership and help you broaden your expertise.
A Family Feel – Hazel Oak is more than a workplace—it’s a community. All staff help to shape school life and improvement planning as part of a collaborative team. We pride ourselves on our sense of belonging and celebrate difference as a strength.
Innovative Curriculum – Our curriculum emphasises life skills, communication, well-being and functional learning. You’ll bring learning to life through play, real-world experiences and meaningful relationships through a new inclusive curriculum approach.
Further details about the role
Play & Engagement Support Assistants
Band B (Points 3–8) Permanent | Term Time Only (39 weeks) Hours: 17.5 hours per week – Monday to Friday, 10.15am - 1.45pm Salary: £18,562–£19,312 FTE (Actual £7,492–£7,795) Start Date: As soon as possible
Our Values
Community – Respect – Wellbeing – Growth – Creativity
We are seeking enthusiastic, caring and adaptable Play & Engagement Support Assistants to join our warm and supportive special school community. This role focuses primarily on active play and engagement during lunchtimes and breaktimes, with a small element of classroom support as needed. The role supports pupils’ wellbeing, social development and independence across the school day.
Play engagement is central to this role. You will join in games, support social interaction, coach and encourage pupils, and help them build confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging. For short, planned periods, you may also support pupils in the classroom, working alongside teaching staff to help pupils settle, engage and access learning.
Personal care is an integral part of the role and may include supporting pupils with toileting, changing, feeding and individual care routines. Full training and ongoing support are provided.
Key Responsibilities
- Actively engage pupils during playtimes and lunchtimes
- Create safe, inclusive and enjoyable play and social experiences
- Provide occasional classroom support for short periods, as directed by teaching staff
- Encourage positive interaction, communication and independence
- Support pupils with personal care in line with individual care plans
- Help pupils regulate emotions and manage transitions
- Work as part of a collaborative, caring school team
About Our Pupils
Our pupils have a broad range of strengths and needs, including autism, ADHD, Down’s Syndrome, communication and interaction needs, social, emotional and mental health needs, and medical and personal care requirements.
Who We’re Looking For
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those with experience in education, care, early years, youth work, or those exploring a meaningful career change. Empathy, patience, adaptability and a willingness to learn are essential.
Why Join Hazel Oak?
A Truly Supportive Environment – We are a school where staff are respected, supported, and celebrated. From peer mentoring and team collaboration to well-being initiatives and coaching, we invest in you.
Staff have access to a wider range of health and wellbeing support both in and beyond school.
Continuous Professional Growth – With regular CPD, coaching, supervision and career development pathways, we develop talent for future leadership and help you broaden your expertise.
A Family Feel – Hazel Oak is more than a workplace—it’s a community. All staff help to shape school life and improvement planning as part of a collaborative team. We pride ourselves on our sense of belonging and celebrate difference as a strength.
Innovative Curriculum – Our curriculum emphasises life skills, communication, well-being and functional learning. You’ll bring learning to life through play, real-world experiences and meaningful relationships through a new inclusive curriculum approach.
---
Our Vision:
Belonging, having fun, discovering our place in the world, building relationships, and overcoming challenges. Learning about life beyond the classroom to shape a successful future
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage those with diverse experience and perspectives.
We happily make reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process to ensure equity for all.
This is your chance to be a part of something special.
---
To arrange one or request more information, email Maisie Franklin, Headteacher’s PA, at:
s501mfranklin@hazel-oak.solihull.sch.uk
For further details, visit: www.hazel-oak.co.uk
Closing date for applications is 9amon 7thMay 2026
Interviews will take place in the week beginning11thMay 2026.
Hazel Oak School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and Safer Recruitment checks. Online checks will be undertaken for shortlisted candidates.
Hazel Oak strives to be a fully inclusive school, supporting a diverse workforce with equity as a key priority. In supporting applications from neuro diverse applicants, we adapt recruitment processes to include all candidates.
The post falls under the requirements of the Fluency Duty (part of the Immigration Act 2016) which makes it a requirement for all public sector workers operating in ‘customer facing’ role to be able to speak fluent English.
We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender assignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
Commitment to safeguarding
Hazel Oak School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and Safer Recruitment checks. Online checks will be undertaken for all candidates shortlisted for vacancies.
Skilled in listening to and being able to socialise and communicate with children
Ability to engage and communicate effectively with children
Ability to support children positively through play
Ability to follow care plans,guidanceand procedures
Able to build good relationships with children, their parents and carers
Able to understand the needs of children
Calm, patient and empathetic approach
Ability to work on own initiative while working within guidelines.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team
Experience of working with children with SEND and developing and supporting programmes of activities for them
Experience of operating effective systems for planning, recording, evaluating and monitoring
Experience of ensuring the health, safety and welfare of children
Basic understanding of child development and learning
Awareness of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities
What the school offers its staff
A Truly Supportive Environment – We are a school where staff are respected, supported, and celebrated. From peer mentoring and team collaboration to well-being initiatives and coaching, we invest in you.
Staff have access to a wider range of health and wellbeing support both in and beyond school.
Continuous Professional Growth – With regular CPD, coaching, supervision and career development pathways, we develop talent for future leadership and help you broaden your expertise.
A Family Feel – Hazel Oak is more than a workplace—it’s a community. All staff help to shape school life and improvement planning as part of a collaborative team. We pride ourselves on our sense of belonging and celebrate difference as a strength.
Innovative Curriculum – Our curriculum emphasises life skills, communication, well-being and functional learning. You’ll bring learning to life through play, real-world experiences and meaningful relationships through a new inclusive curriculum approach.
Further details about the role
Play & Engagement Support Assistants
Band B (Points 3–8) Permanent | Term Time Only (39 weeks) Hours: 17.5 hours per week – Monday to Friday, 10.15am - 1.45pm Salary: £18,562–£19,312 FTE (Actual £7,492–£7,795) Start Date: As soon as possible
Our Values
Community – Respect – Wellbeing – Growth – Creativity
We are seeking enthusiastic, caring and adaptable Play & Engagement Support Assistants to join our warm and supportive special school community. This role focuses primarily on active play and engagement during lunchtimes and breaktimes, with a small element of classroom support as needed. The role supports pupils’ wellbeing, social development and independence across the school day.
Play engagement is central to this role. You will join in games, support social interaction, coach and encourage pupils, and help them build confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging. For short, planned periods, you may also support pupils in the classroom, working alongside teaching staff to help pupils settle, engage and access learning.
Personal care is an integral part of the role and may include supporting pupils with toileting, changing, feeding and individual care routines. Full training and ongoing support are provided.
Key Responsibilities
- Actively engage pupils during playtimes and lunchtimes
- Create safe, inclusive and enjoyable play and social experiences
- Provide occasional classroom support for short periods, as directed by teaching staff
- Encourage positive interaction, communication and independence
- Support pupils with personal care in line with individual care plans
- Help pupils regulate emotions and manage transitions
- Work as part of a collaborative, caring school team
About Our Pupils
Our pupils have a broad range of strengths and needs, including autism, ADHD, Down’s Syndrome, communication and interaction needs, social, emotional and mental health needs, and medical and personal care requirements.
Who We’re Looking For
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those with experience in education, care, early years, youth work, or those exploring a meaningful career change. Empathy, patience, adaptability and a willingness to learn are essential.
Why Join Hazel Oak?
A Truly Supportive Environment – We are a school where staff are respected, supported, and celebrated. From peer mentoring and team collaboration to well-being initiatives and coaching, we invest in you.
Staff have access to a wider range of health and wellbeing support both in and beyond school.
Continuous Professional Growth – With regular CPD, coaching, supervision and career development pathways, we develop talent for future leadership and help you broaden your expertise.
A Family Feel – Hazel Oak is more than a workplace—it’s a community. All staff help to shape school life and improvement planning as part of a collaborative team. We pride ourselves on our sense of belonging and celebrate difference as a strength.
Innovative Curriculum – Our curriculum emphasises life skills, communication, well-being and functional learning. You’ll bring learning to life through play, real-world experiences and meaningful relationships through a new inclusive curriculum approach.
---
Our Vision:
Belonging, having fun, discovering our place in the world, building relationships, and overcoming challenges. Learning about life beyond the classroom to shape a successful future
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage those with diverse experience and perspectives.
We happily make reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process to ensure equity for all.
This is your chance to be a part of something special.
---
To arrange one or request more information, email Maisie Franklin, Headteacher’s PA, at:
s501mfranklin@hazel-oak.solihull.sch.uk
For further details, visit: www.hazel-oak.co.uk
Closing date for applications is 9amon 7thMay 2026
Interviews will take place in the week beginning11thMay 2026.
Hazel Oak School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and Safer Recruitment checks. Online checks will be undertaken for shortlisted candidates.
Hazel Oak strives to be a fully inclusive school, supporting a diverse workforce with equity as a key priority. In supporting applications from neuro diverse applicants, we adapt recruitment processes to include all candidates.
The post falls under the requirements of the Fluency Duty (part of the Immigration Act 2016) which makes it a requirement for all public sector workers operating in ‘customer facing’ role to be able to speak fluent English.
We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender assignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
Commitment to safeguarding
Hazel Oak School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and Safer Recruitment checks. Online checks will be undertaken for all candidates shortlisted for vacancies.