Classroom Assistant (Additional Special Educational Needs)

Education Authority Northern Ireland

10h•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the class teacher/outreach teacher/Education Authority officer, assist with the educational support and the care of the pupil(s) with special educational needs who is/are in the teacher’s care in or outside the classroom. The precise duties of the post will be determined by the principal/outreach teacher/Education Authority officer. Additional Special Classroom Support duties may include undertaking more comprehensive or invasive medical/clinical procedures, helping pupils with specialist communication skills and/or sensory difficulties access the curriculum, or dealing with pupils with very challenging behaviour as identified by the Educational Psychology Service as requiring additional provision. Special Classroom Support involves assisting the teacher with the support and care of pupil(s) with special educational needs, enabling access to the curriculum, attending to personal needs including dietary, feeding, and toileting. It also includes developing an understanding of the specific needs of the pupil(s), assisting with authorised programmes, participating in evaluation, and encouraging pupil participation. The role contributes to the inclusion of the pupil in the mainstream classroom, assists with operational and medical difficulties pertaining to pupil(s) disabilities, supports the implementation of behavioural management programmes, and assists pupil(s) in moving around school and on and off transport. General Classroom Support includes assisting pupils to learn effectively both in group situations and on their own by managing the learning environment, clarifying and explaining instructions, ensuring pupils can use equipment and materials, motivating and encouraging pupils, assisting in areas requiring reinforcement or development, promoting pupil independence, helping pupils stay on task, and meeting physical/medical needs whilst encouraging independence. The role requires awareness of school policies, procedures, and confidentiality, establishing supportive relationships with pupils, preparing resources, supervising groups or individual pupils on specified activities, assisting with off-site activities under direction and following risk assessment, providing continuity of adult care including supervision of play and cloakrooms, administering prescribed medicines and drugs, dealing with minor injuries, and ensuring a safe environment for pupils. Reporting any signs or symptoms that may suggest a pupil requires expert or immediate attention to the class teacher is also a responsibility. Administration duties include assisting with classroom administration, recording pupil progress, contributing to progress records, providing feedback to the teacher, duplicating materials, producing charts and displays, recording broadcasts, and cataloguing resources. Other duties include attending in-service training, assisting work placement students, and other duties assigned by the Principal. The job description is subject to review and may be assigned other duties of a similar nature. The post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity, and pay due regard to equality legislation.

Requirements

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.
Option 1: Have a minimum of 6 weeks experience gained either in a formal learning environment or through a placement completed as part of your level 2 (or equivalent) qualification.
Option 2: Have a minimum of 12 months’ experience of working in a formal learning environment.
Demonstrate a working knowledge of health and safety requirements.
Demonstrate a working knowledge of development needs of children and/or young people.
Demonstrate a working knowledge of child protection and safeguarding.
Evidence of effective planning and organising skills.
Evidence of ability to follow agreed systems and plans.
Evidence of ability to work as part of a team.
Evidence of ability to work flexibly and creatively to help ensure a child-centred learning experience.
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.
Effective and positive communication skills.
Ability to build positive and supportive relationships.
Empathy
Confidentiality

Nice To Haves

Additional training/qualifications e.g. Braille, 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 2 passes in English and/or Mathematics, or higher-level qualifications.
Experience of working with a child and/or young person with a specific special educational need/MLD/SLD etc.
Experience of working as a Classroom Assistant with pupils in a special school setting.
Ability to use assistive technology.
Ability to proactively support pupils with specific needs (determine need based on individual statement).
Ability to deal with challenging behaviour.
Ability to use digital technologies to assist in learning and the preparation of resources.

Responsibilities

Assist with the educational support and the care of the pupil(s) with special educational needs in or outside the classroom.
Undertake more comprehensive or invasive medical/clinical procedures (as required).
Help pupils with specialist communication skills and/or sensory difficulties access the curriculum (as required).
Deal with pupils with very challenging behaviour as identified by the Educational Psychology Service as requiring additional provision (as required).
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 clarifying and explaining instruction, ensuring pupils can use equipment and materials, assisting in motivating and encouraging pupils, assisting in areas requiring reinforcement or development, promoting the independence of pupils to enhance learning, helping pupils stay on work set, and meeting physical/medical needs as required whilst encouraging independence.
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.
Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Principal within the level of the post.
Promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard to equality legislation at all times.