What skills and experience we're looking for
Essential Qualities:
The successful applicant will have:
• Knowledge and experience of supporting pupils with social and emotional needs
• Experience of working with children with a statement/EHCP
• Experience of organising visual timetables to establish clear routines.
• Experience in liaising with parents and other external professionals e.g. Speech and Language
• Experience of contributing to and implementing IEPs/PCPs/EHCP for the pupil
• Experience of delivering specific programmes to small groups and individual pupils e.g. social stories to support social interaction
• Experience in a role providing pastoral support for pupils
• Some understanding of the demands the national curriculum and assessment and how this can be modified to meet
a learners needs
• A willingness to participate in appropriate training
• A willingness to adapt to change.
• Patience, good humour and a genuine affinity with children.
1. Support for Pupils
a) Attend to pupils’ personal needs and assist with the development and implementation of Individual Education / Behaviour / Support / Mentoring Plans and Personal Care Programmes.
b) Supervise and support pupils, including those with special needs, ensuring their safety and access to learning.
c) Establish constructive relationships with pupils and interact with them according to individual needs.
d) Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all pupils.
e) Encourage pupils to interact and work co-operatively with others and engage in learning activities.
f) Set challenging and demanding expectations for pupils and promote self – esteem and independence.
g) Provide feedback to pupils in relation to progress and achievement under the guidance of the teacher.
2. Support for the Teacher
a) Assist with the planning of learning activities.
b) Use strategies, in liaison with the teacher, to support pupils to achieve learning goals.
c) Prepare the classroom as directed for lessons and clear afterwards. Assist with the display of pupil’s work.
d) Ensure the timely and accurate design, preparation, and use of specialist equipment / resources / materials.
e) Monitor pupils’ responses to learning activities and accurately record achievement / progress as directed.
f) Establish constructive relationships with parents / carers.
g) Provide detailed and regular feedback to teachers on pupil’s achievement, progress, problems etc.
h) Maintain records as requested.
i) Administer routine tests, invigilate exams, and undertake routine marking of pupils’ work, accurately recording achievement / progress.
j) Promote good pupil behaviour, dealing promptly with conflict and incidents in line with established policy and encourage pupils to take responsibility for their own behaviour.
k) Provide general clerical / admin. support eg. administer coursework, produce worksheets for agreed activities, photocopying, typing, filing etc.
3. Support for the Curriculum
a) Support pupils in understanding instructions.
b) Undertake structured and agreed learning activities / teaching programmes, adjusting activities according to pupil responses.
c) Undertake programmes linked to local and national learning strategies e.g. literacy, numeracy, KS3, early years etc. as directed by the teachers.
d) Support pupils in using ICT and develop pupils’ competence and independence in its use.
e) Prepare, maintain, and use equipment/resources required to meet the lesson plans/relevant learning activities, and assist pupils in their use.
f) Monitor and manage stock and supplies, cataloguing as required.
4. Support for the School
a) Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
b) Be aware of and support difference and ensure that pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop.
c) Contribute to the overall ethos / work / aims of the school.
d) Appreciate and support the role of other professionals.
e) Attend and participate in relevant meetings as required.
f) Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required.
g) Assist with the supervision of pupils out of lesson times, including before and after school and at lunchtimes.
h) Accompany teaching staff and pupils, as appropriate, on visits, trips, and out of school activities, and take responsibility for a group under the supervision of a teacher.
What the school offers its staff
Career Progression and Staff Development
We are committed to developing our staff and to providing opportunities for growth. We want to encourage the career progression of our employees wherever possible, and support staff who wish to move between our schools and the Central Team when suitable roles arise. We also offer secondment opportunities when available.
At Empower Trust you would be working alongside excellent leaders in education, each with specific areas of expertise. We offer Middle and Senior Leadership development programmes, professional support networks and career development pathways for staff at all levels. In addition, we also have mentoring and coaching programmes, peer learning, internal and external CPD opportunities.
Health and Wellbeing Services
Working in education is a challenging job and the health and wellbeing of our staff is high on our agenda and a key priority. We have several Trust wide wellbeing initiatives that offer support and guidance for our workforce:
• A Trust Wellbeing Strategy and Charter outlining our commitment to staff wellbeing
• At least one trained Mental Health First Aider in every location, helping to embed our belief that physical and mental health hold equal importance
• A network of Mental Health First Aiders and Mental Health Leads who provide support, guidance, and signposting to colleagues across the Trust
• A Future in Mind network representing all our academies, who signpost staff to wellbeing support and information, and ensure staff voice is heard
• A designated Trustee sponsor whose role is to ensure staff wellbeing remains a priority
• Wellbeing is a discussion item on each Trustee / Local Governing Body meeting agenda
• Dissemination of annual staff wellbeing questionnaires to inform future actions
• Active engagement in national and international awareness days
• Working towards the Mental Health at Work Commitment and the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter
Employee Assistance Programme
We are committed to ensuring everyone at Empower Trust gets access to the support they need for personal issues as well as any work-related worries. Our completely confidential Employee Assistance Programme offers numerous services:
• Physiotherapy and musculoskeletal (MSK) services
• Confidential counselling via face-to-face therapy or secure online video sessions
• Stress coaching
• Support services for menopause, long covid, bereavement, cancer, cardiac conditions, lung conditions, medical trauma, mental health problems, motor neurone disease, orthopaedic conditions, multiple sclerosis
• 24/7 GP helpline and prescription service, offering consultation, private prescriptions, open referrals, and fit notes
• Surgical assistance programme
Flexible and Family-Friendly Policies
Our employment policies are flexible and responsive to promote diversity and equality, as well as attract and retain the highest quality workforce. We offer flexible working opportunities; job share arrangements, term time working and part time-roles; generous family leave packages; and compassionate or emergency leave.
Pension Scheme
We offer an excellent pension scheme with either the Local Government Pension Scheme (support staff) or the Teachers’ Pension Scheme which include death in service benefits. As well as employee’s paying contributions into the scheme (banded, based on earnings level) Empower Trust also pays a generous contribution on your behalf.
Cycle to Work Scheme
Save on the cost of the commute, promote a healthy lifestyle, and reduce your carbon footprint - all with our superb cycle to work scheme! Find the bike of your dreams and save up to 42% in tax and NI contributions. Whether it’s a mountain bike, BMX, fixie, electric cycle, or one of those natty bikes with a basket on the front, get the wheels you really want; all at an affordable cost spread over 12 to 18 months.
Other Benefits
• Eye care scheme
• Attractive annual leave allowance
• Free on-site parking
• In-house catering
• Financial wellbeing support
• Discounts for teachers –
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.