What skills and experience we're looking for
The purpose of this role is to provide learning support for an inspirational KS1 child with complex needs and a severe visual impairment. The child accesses their learning via a bespoke, hybrid educational package which is a combination of education being provided at home, in the community, and at Severndale Academy.
You will be required to support the child’s EHCP targets through the planning and implementation of learning activities. You will be expected to work with the multidisciplinary team around the child, contribute to and attend meetings as appropriate to help support the child’s holistic development and progress.
The successful applicant will be expected to work flexibly and be responsive to the needs of the child and family. You will work closely alongside the child’s family as most of the child’s learning currently happens at home and in the community. The bespoke, hybrid educational package is overseen by school and closely monitored by the Vice Principal and Safeguarding Lead to ensure that all members of the child’s team have effective communication and agreed ways of working safely together.
You will have the opportunity to develop your own knowledge and skills from access to the child’s team of professionals. Additional training will be provided, and this will include some excellent opportunities to support the child and your own personal development.
The weekly hourly contract is negotiable up to 32.5 hours as school and the family are committed to finding the right individual (or individuals) who can best support this child’s needs. The role will also involve working within a KS1 PMLD class when required. You will need a full driving license and be prepared to drive between school, the child’s home, and other locations in the community. Mileage expenses will be paid, or you can use a school car.
Skills required:
• Ability to build good relationships with the child, their family, and the multidisciplinary team.
• Awareness and understanding of supporting a child with no vision.
• A calm, sensitive and gentle approach is essential.
• Ability to think in a solution-focused way. We value creative thinking!
• Ability to plan activities but also the flexibility in approach to be adaptable to the child’s needs.
• Comprehensive and contemporaneous record keeping is essential, and you will therefore require good IT skills.
• Strive for quality of best practice in all that you do to support the child.
You should be an enthusiastic and committed professional who is flexible and reliable and able to work on your own initiative, with the ability to establish effective working relationships at all levels, particularly as a member of a team. You should have the relevant skills and personal qualities such as being dynamic and proactive to undertake the range of duties and the ability to work accurately and consistently.
What the school offers its staff
• Permanent contract
• Salary range Scale 3, SP5 – SP6: from £12.85 per hour
• 32.5 hours per week (Term Time plus 5 PD days)
• Access to the School Advisory Service &Bike to work scheme
• Continuing Professional Development
• Local Authority Pension Scheme
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.