Classroom Assistant (Special Educational Needs) x 2

Education Authority Northern Ireland

11h•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the class teacher/outreach teacher/Education Authority, this role assists with the educational support and the care of pupil(s) with special educational needs who is/are in the teacher’s care in or outside the classroom. The precise duties will be determined by the principal/outreach teacher/Education Authority officer. This involves enabling access to the curriculum, attending to personal needs (including dietary, feeding, toileting), developing an understanding of specific pupil needs, assisting with authorised programmes (e.g., Education Plan, Care Plan), participating in support evaluation, and encouraging pupil participation. The assistant will contribute to the inclusion of pupils in mainstream schools, assist with operational and non-invasive medical/clinical difficulties, support behavioural management programmes, and help pupils move around school and on/off transport. General classroom support includes helping pupils learn effectively in groups and individually by managing the learning environment, clarifying instructions, ensuring equipment use, motivating and encouraging pupils, assisting in areas requiring reinforcement, promoting independence, and meeting physical/medical needs while encouraging independence. The role also requires awareness of school policies, procedures, confidentiality, establishing supportive relationships, preparing resources, supervising pupils in various activities (including ICT and extracurricular), assisting with off-site activities (following risk assessment), providing continuity of adult care (e.g., supervising play, cloakrooms, hand washing, toileting), administering prescribed medicines, dealing with minor injuries, ensuring a safe environment, and reporting concerns to the class teacher. Administrative tasks include assisting with classroom administration, implementing systems for recording pupil progress, contributing to progress records, providing feedback to teachers, duplicating materials, assisting with charts and displays, recording programmes, and cataloguing resources. Other duties include attending relevant in-service training and assisting work placement students.

Requirements

Hold a minimum of a Level 2 (or equivalent) qualification in a relevant area from a recognised accredited awarding body 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. Qualification must be at Certificate or Diploma level.
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.
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.
Effective and positive communication skills.
Ability to build positive and supportive relationships.
Empathy.
Confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

Have completed training relevant to the role, for example: Social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Have completed training relevant to the role, for example: Language and communication.
Have completed training relevant to the role, for example: ASD/ADHD.
Hold a Level 3 (or equivalent level) qualification in a relevant area from a recognised accredited awarding body.
Hold a minimum of level 2 passes in English and/or Mathematics, or higher-level qualifications.
Additional working experience in a formal learning environment.
Specific experience of working with a child/young person with special educational needs.
Experience of working as a Classroom Assistant with pupils in a particular setting (i.e. nursery/primary/post primary/specialist provision unit attached to mainstream/special school setting).
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.
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 schools under the directions of the class teacher.
Assist with operational difficulties and non-invasive medical/clinical 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.
Clarify and explain instruction.
Ensure the pupils are able to use equipment and materials provided.
Assist in motivating and encouraging the pupil(s) as required.
Assist in areas requiring reinforcement or development.
Promote the independence of pupils to enhance learning.
Help pupil(s) stay on work set.
Meet 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/officer.
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/outreach teacher/Education Authority officer within the level of the post.
Promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.