Jogo Behaviour Support Blog
Lunchtime Supervisor Training
By Rachael Taylor
Jogo Behaviour Support provide a wide
range of training services to schools, one course which I really enjoy running
is especially designed for Lunchtime Supervisors. Training can be adapted to meet individual
needs, but I have found that the one-day course is particularly effective.
Often Lunchtime staff spend very little time together and this can sometimes
lead to tension developing within the team. Lunchtime Supervisors can feel marginalised and lack the self-confidence needed to make constructive changes. This
course enables the team to talk openly about their experiences as well as
reflecting on their day-to-day interactions with pupils.
Lunchtimes can be particularly
challenging for pupils with Special Educational Needs and some Lunchtime
Supervisors have received very little training in this area. I have found that
once staff develop a better understanding of pupils’ individual needs they are
more likely to deal with difficult situations in a calm assertive manner. Pupils
with Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties frequently struggle to
self-regulate and interact positively with their peers during unstructured
periods. These are key skills that need to be taught and practised in a safe
and supportive environment. This course sets out to highlight the opportunities
that lunchtimes can provide to develop better social skills.
Self-regulation is a key skill that
all pupils need to develop in order to manage their ‘big’ feelings and consider
the needs of others. Lunchtime Supervisors can play a pivotal role in
supporting pupils as they start to develop a better awareness of their early
warning signs and take steps to self-regulate. As role models within the school
environment it is imperative that this behaviour is modelled and reinforced by
all adults at all times. Lunchtimes also
provide a great opportunity to promote the development of play skills which in
turn have a beneficial impact on pupils’ ability to self-regulate and
co-operate with others.
We have found that this training can motivate
and empower staff, one lady told me “I didn’t know that I was allowed to go to
the celebration assembly…. I thought it was just for parents”. Lunchtime
Supervisors play a vital role in schools, but this can sometimes go unnoticed
due to a whole range of factors. As both my Grandma and Mother-in Law were
‘dinner ladies’ for many years I love having this opportunity to remind
Lunchtime Supervisors just how important they really are!