Classroom Assistant (Additional Special Educational Needs) Permanent Posts

• Undertake more comprehensive or invasive medical/clinical procedures.

• Help pupils with specialist communication skills and/or sensory difficulties access the curriculum.

• Deal with pupils with very challenging behaviour as identified by the Educational Psychology Service as requiring additional provision.

• Assist the teacher with the support and care of pupil(s) with special educational needs e.g. enable access to the curriculum attend to personal needs including dietary feeding toileting etc.

• Develop an understanding of the specific needs of the pupil(s) to be supported.

• Assist with authorised programmes (e.g. Education Plan Care Plan) participate in the evaluation of the support and encourage pupil(s) participation in such programmes.

• Contribute to the inclusion of the pupil in mainstream classroom under the direction of the class teacher.

• Assist with operational difficulties and medical difficulties pertaining to pupil(s) disabilities.

• Support in implementing behavioural management programmes as directed.

• Assist pupil(s) in moving around school and on and off transport.

• Assist pupil(s) learn as effectively as possible both in group situations and on their own by assisting with the management of the learning environment through:

• Be aware of school policies procedures and of confidential issues linked to home/pupil/teacher/school work and to keep confidences appropriately.

• Establish a supportive relationship with the pupils concerned.

• Prepare and produce appropriate resources to support pupil(s) and take care of material for play sessions.

• Supervise groups of pupils or individual pupils on specified activities including talking and listening using ICT extra curricular activities and other duties as directed by the class teacher/officer.

• Under the direction of the teacher and following an appropriate risk assessment assist with off-site activities.

• Provide continuity of adult care of e.g. supervising play and cloakrooms including hand washing toileting etc.

• Provide supervision/support including the administration of prescribed medicines and drugs for children who are ill and deal with minor cuts and grazes.

• Ensure as far as possible a safe environment for pupils.

• Report to the class teacher any signs or symptoms displayed which may suggest that a pupil requires expert or immediate attention.

• Assist with classroom administration.

• Assist the class teacher and/or other professionals with the implementation of the system for recording the pupil(s) progress.

• Contribute to the maintenance of pupil(s) progress records.

• Provide regular feedback about the pupil(s) to the teacher.

• Duplicate written materials assist with production of charts and displays record radio and television programmes catalogue and process books and resources.

• Attend relevant in-service training.

• Assist work placement students with practical tasks.

• Such other duties as may be assigned by the Principal within the level of the post.

FLEXIBLE WORKING OPTIONS AVAILABLE

OPTION 1

You are required to be on duty during school term plus two additional weeks. The timing of the two additional weeks is at the discretion of the Principal of the school.

OR

OPTION 2

You are required to be on duty for the contracted weekly hours working during periods of school closure except when on annual leave or other authorised absence. Duties will normally be provided by the school. However where necessary alternative work and/or training will be provided by the Authority at any other such place of employment as may be reasonably required.

OR

OPTION 3

To work as for option 2 with a further option to request periods of unpaid leave during extended school holidays or closures.

To view the summary of terms and conditionsclick here.

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS

1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question how and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria where relevant.
2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications unless the criteria state otherwise.
3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below using the information provided by you on your application form.
5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right toshortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet thecriteria for the role.
6. In the event of an excessive number of applications the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria asoutlined in Section 3 at shortlisting in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria.

SECTION 1 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

Factor

Essential Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications and Experience

Option 1:

Hold a minimum of a Level 2 (or equivalent) qualification* in a relevant area obtained through a recognised accredited awarding body.

*Qualification must be at Certificate or Diploma level. Award level is not acceptable.

AND

Have a minimum of 6 weeks experience which has been gained either through working in a formal learning environment or through a placement completed as part of your level 2 (or equivalent) qualification.

OR

Option 2:

Have a minimum of 18 months experience (at the closing date) of working in a special school setting.

Sifting by Application Form

Sifting by Application Form and verified at Interview

Knowledge

Demonstrate a working knowledge of:

• Health and safety requirements
• Development needs of children and/or young people.
• Child protection and safeguarding

Interview/Assessment

Skills

Evidence of the following skills to support child-centred learning and assist with the management of the learning environment:

• Effective planning and organising skills.
• Ability to follow agreed systems and plans.
• Ability to work as part of team
• Ability to work flexibly and creatively to help ensure a child-centred learning experience.

In addition to the above to be appointed to an ASEN Classroom Assistant post you must be able to demonstrate evidence of at least one or more of the following sets of skills obtained in a learning/caring environment with children/young people:

• Undertaking more comprehensive or invasive medical/clinical procedures.
• Assisting pupils with specialist communication needs or sensory difficulties to access the curriculum.
• Working with pupils with challenging behaviour.
• Working knowledge of specific areas of SEN* and implications for learning.

*Areas of SEN could include:

• Communication and interaction
• Cognition and learning
• Social mental and emotional health
• Sensory and/or physical
• Working knowledge of effective strategies to support the learning of pupils with SEN/particular needs.

Interview/Assessment

Behaviours

Effective and positive communication skills.

Ability to build positive and supportive relationships.

Empathy

Confidentiality

Interview

SECTION 2 - DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Factor

Desirable Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications and Experience

Qualifications

• Additional training/qual e.g. Makaton First Aid speech and language support Team Teach training.
• Level 3 (or equivalent level) qualification in a relevant area.
• Hold a minimum of level passes in English and/or Mathematics or higher-level qualifications

• Experience of working with a child and/or young person with a physical disability.

Further SEN Skills

Other additional skill requirements:

• Ability to use assistive technology
• Ability to use digital technologies to assist in learning and the preparation of resources

Sifting by Application Form