Play & Engagement Support Assistant
Hazel Oak School, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 2AZ10 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
7 May 2026 at 9am
Date listed
27 April 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teaching assistant
- Other support roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2, Key stage 3, Key stage 4
Working pattern
- Part time: 17.5 hours per week Monday to Friday 10.15am - 1.45pm
Contract type
- Permanent
Actual salary
- £7,492–£7,795
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 information about the job
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.
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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.
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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.
Applying for the job
Please complete the online application.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Apply for this jobAdditional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Hazel Oak School
- School type
- Special school, ages 4 to 19
- School size
- 200 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Hazel Oak School website
- Email address
- s501mfranklin@hazel-oak.solihull.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 01217444162
Hazel Oak is an Outstanding learning environment, for pupils aged 4-19 years, who have a broad range of needs including Autism, ADHD, Downs Syndrome, social, emotional and behavioural challenges and a range of personal care and medical needs. We also support a growing number of pupils with mental health challenges.
Arranging a visit to Hazel Oak School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email s501mfranklin@hazel-oak.solihull.sch.uk.
School location
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