School Health Practitioner

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Job Title:  School Health Practitioner
Location:  Underley Garden School, Kirkby Lonsdale LA6 2DZ
Hours:      40 hours per week | Monday to Friday | 8.00am – 4.00pm
Salary:      £25,000 per annum (not pro rata) + Travel allowance
Contract:  Permanent | Term Time Only
Start:         September 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available

About the Role

At Underley Garden School, we believe every child deserves to feel safe, healthy and supported so they can achieve their full potential. We're looking for a compassionate and proactive School Health Practitioner to join our dedicated multidisciplinary team, providing high-quality healthcare and wellbeing support to children and young people with complex needs.

This is a rewarding and varied role where no two days are the same. You'll play a vital part in supporting pupils' medical, personal care and wellbeing needs, while working alongside education, therapy and care professionals to ensure every child receives outstanding support throughout their school day.

If you're passionate about improving the lives of children and young people and thrive in a collaborative environment, we'd love to hear from you.

What you will be doing

• Safely administer and manage pupils' prescribed medication in line with school policies and procedures.
• Support pupils with their health, personal care and feeding needs, ensuring dignity, respect and the highest standards of care.
• Monitor individual healthcare needs, maintaining accurate records and reviewing care plans where appropriate.
• Deliver or support staff training to ensure colleagues are competent and confident in administering medication.
• Respond calmly and professionally to medical emergencies, following safeguarding and health procedures.
• Work closely with parents, carers, therapists and external healthcare professionals to ensure joined-up care.
• Maintain first aid rooms, first aid supplies, defibrillators and medical equipment to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements.
• Promote allergy awareness and ensure healthcare information is accurately recorded and communicated.
• Support pupils' emotional wellbeing and contribute positively to behaviour support where appropriate.
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure all safeguarding, infection prevention and healthcare policies are followed.
• Assist with ordering and monitoring medical and personal care supplies.

What you will bring

We're looking for someone who is:

• Experienced in a healthcare, care or clinical support role.
• Compassionate, patient and committed to delivering outstanding care for children and young people.
• Confident supporting personal and intimate care with dignity and respect.
• An excellent communicator who enjoys working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Calm, organised and able to respond positively in challenging or emergency situations.
• Able to prioritise tasks and manage their workload effectively.
• Passionate about promoting health, wellbeing and safeguarding.
• Flexible, adaptable and committed to continuous professional development.
• Holds a full UK driving licence and is willing to drive school vehicles where required.

Desirable

• • BTEC Level 3 Health & Social Care (or equivalent).
  • Additional qualifications in healthcare, nutrition or therapy support.
  • Experience supporting children or young people with autism, learning disabilities, complex needs or mental health needs.
  • Experience working as a Therapy Assistant or within a specialist education setting.

About Us

Underley Garden School is a large school with small class sizes, focusing on pupils, aged 5-19, who have a range of complex needs associated with autism and learning disabilities, including complex communication, sensory and behavioural needs associated with their disabilities.

Our School adopts a holistic, person-centred approach to the development of our pupils and endeavours to ensure that they achieve as high a standard as possible. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of education, care and therapy to meet the individual requirements of students with complex special educational needs.

At Underley Garden, we aim to make a positive difference to the personal, social and learning lives of the people entrusted to our care.

Located near the market town of Kirkby Lonsdale on the edge of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales in a commutable distance of Lancaster, Cumbria and surrounding areas.

For over 19 years, Options Autism has provided specialist care and education for children, young people, and adults with autism, complex needs, and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are pioneering innovative, evidence-based approaches that deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for everyone in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Why Join Us?

We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  • Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
  • Hundreds of UK and international discounts
  • Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
  • Critical illness cover
  • Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.

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