Job Overview

Job Purpose

To provide the teaching staff with appropriate support in the planning, implementation and monitoring of education programmes to enable access to learning of students and to assist the teacher in the management of students and the classroom.

To provide the teaching staff with appropriate support in the planning, implementation and monitoring of special educational programmes to meet the needs of individuals or small groups with special educational needs. To support the physical welfare of the students, both in an integrated and extraction situation and supervise medication as prescribed by a physician.

To provide offsite learning for individual and/or small groups of students at alternative educational sites.

Job Specific Outcomes 1 of 2

Coordinate and ensure the effectiveness of the support room used for students experiencing challenges in their learning context.

Supervise and provide particular support for students, including those with special needs, ensuring their safety and access to learning activities in line with the curriculum.

Plan individual programmes against learning objectives.  Give feedback to the team on the progress and behaviour of the individual group or pupil within the special needs area.  Observe and monitor the development of specific students, recording appropriately and applying this knowledge to future planning.  Implement agreed work programmes/practical lessons under the guidance of the teacher.

Accompany teaching staff on visits, trips and out of school activities where appropriate.

Supervise students at various offsite educational facilities.

Assist with the supervision of students out of lesson times where appropriate.

Job Specific Outcomes 2 of 2

Attend to the students’ personal needs, and implement related personal programmes, including social, health, physical, hygiene and welfare matters. Care for sick, distressed and injured children carrying out the necessary first aid and take the appropriate follow-up action necessary through the agreed school policy.  Contribute to specific reports when requested by consultants, GPs and parents on students with medical problems.

Provide clerical/administrative support e.g. photocopying, typing, filing, collecting money etc.

Support and develop partnerships with parents, liaising with them, with the support of the teacher in charge and Senior Teaching Assistant/Team Leader, to ensure consistency in approach for the students.

Supervise whole classes occasionally during short-term absence of teachers.  The primary focus will be to maintain good order and to keep students on task

Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection.  Report all concerns to an appropriate person.

Liaise with staff in the area of student behaviour and SEN.

Knowledge & Skills 1 of 2

• Ability to form positive relationships with students.
• Experience working with students.
• Experience working with students with SEN and Social, Emotional and Mental Health challenges.
• Can use ICT effectively to support learning.
• Use of other equipment technology – video, photocopier.
• Full working knowledge of relevant policies/codes of practice and awareness of relevant legislation.
• Working knowledge of curriculum and other relevant learning programmes/strategies.
• Understanding of principles of child development and learning processes.

Knowledge & Skills 2 of 2

• Ability to self-evaluate learning needs and actively seek learning opportunities.
• Ability to relate well to children and adults.
• Work constructively as part of a team, understanding classroom roles and responsibilities and your own position within these.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety.
• Ability to plan effective actions for students who require support to progress their learning or who require specific support to facilitate their accessing of learning opportunities.
• Have an understanding of the range of support services/providers/agencies.
• The ability to communicate at all levels while exercising a high degree of confidentiality is essential.

Qualifications

Essential

• Numeracy/literacy skills to a minimum of level 2 standard.

Desirable

• NVQ 3 or equivalent qualification or Training in at least two relevant strategies eg. literacy and/or in particular curriculum or learning area e.g. bi-lingual, sign language Level 2, dyslexia etc.