Classroom Assistant (Additional Special Educational Needs)

Education Authority Northern Ireland•Antrim, Belfast, Mitchell House School, MI

1d•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 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, toileting, developing an understanding of the specific needs of the pupil(s), assisting with authorised programmes, contributing to the inclusion of the pupil in the mainstream classroom, assisting with operational and medical difficulties pertaining to pupil(s) disabilities, supporting in implementing behavioural management programmes, and assisting pupil(s) in moving around school and on and off transport. General Classroom Support includes assisting pupil(s) learn effectively by managing the learning environment, clarifying and explaining instruction, 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. The role also involves being aware of school policies, establishing supportive relationships with pupils, preparing resources, supervising groups or individual pupils, assisting with off-site activities, providing continuity of adult care, supervising/supporting the administration of prescribed medicines, ensuring a safe environment, and reporting concerns to the class teacher. Administration duties include assisting with classroom administration, recording pupil progress, contributing to progress records, providing feedback, duplicating materials, and producing charts and displays. Other duties include attending in-service training, assisting work placement students, and other duties as assigned by the Principal. The job description is subject to review and may be amended. 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. 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.
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, Development needs of children and/or young people, Child protection and safeguarding.
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.
Effective and positive communication skills.
Ability to build positive and supportive relationships.
Empathy
Confidentiality

Nice To Haves

Have 12 months demonstratable experience (at the closing date) working in a Special School setting
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.
Ability to use assistive technology
Ability to use digital technologies to assist in learning and the preparation of resources

Responsibilities

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 clarifying and explaining instruction, ensuring the pupils are able to use equipment and materials provided, assisting in motivating and encouraging the pupil(s) as required, assisting in areas requiring reinforcement or development, promoting the independence of pupils to enhance learning, helping pupil(s) 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.
Such other duties as may be assigned by the Principal within the level of the post.