JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: Classroom Assistant – Additional Special Educational Needs REPORTS TO: School Principal, through class teacher RESPONSIBLE FOR: 1\:1 classroom assistance for an individual pupil and general classroom support JOB PURPOSE Under the direction of the class teacher, assist with the educational support and the care of the pupils with special educational needs who are in the teacher’s care in or outside the classroom. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The precise duties of the post will be determined by the Principal. ADDITIONAL SPECIAL CLASSROOM SUPPORT (at least one of the three duties below should be carried out as a requirement of the post) Undertake more comprehensive or invasive medical/clinical procedures. Help pupils with specialist communication skills and/or sensory difficulties to access the curriculum. Deal with pupils with very challenging behaviour as identified by the Educational Psychology Service as requiring additional provision. SPECIAL CLASSROOM SUPPORT Assist the teacher with the support and care of pupils 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 pupils to be supported. Assist with authorised programmes (e.g. Education Plan, Care Plan), participate in the evaluation of the support and encourage pupils' participation in such programmes. Contribute to the inclusion of the pupil in the classroom under the direction of the class teacher. Assist with operational difficulties and medical difficulties pertaining to pupils' disabilities. Support in implementing behavioural management programmes as directed. Assist pupils in moving around school and on and off transport. GENERAL CLASSROOM SUPPORT Assist pupils to 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 pupils as required; - assisting in areas requiring reinforcement or development; - promoting the independence of pupils to enhance learning; - helping pupils stay on work set; - 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 pupils 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. 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. ADMINISTRATION Assist with classroom administration. Assist the class teacher and/or other professionals with the implementation of the system for recording the pupils' progress. Contribute to the maintenance of pupils' progress records. Provide regular feedback about the pupils to the teacher. Duplicate written materials, assist with production of charts and displays, record radio and television programmes, catalogue and process books and resources. OTHER DUTIES 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. This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time. In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times. PERSON SPECIFICATION NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria. SECTION 1 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Qualifications/ Professional Membership Hold a minimum of a Level 2 childcare qualification as approved by EA (A list of approved qualifications is available to download from the EA website www.eani.org.uk ) Have at least 5 GCSEs or equivalent at grade A-C including English and Mathematics Shortlisting by Application Form Experience Have experience of working in a paid capacity in a formal learning environment with children who have special educational needs for a minimum of 6 months. Have experience of working with children who have sensory loss, autism, learning difficulties, medical needs and/or challenging behaviour Shortlisting by Application Form and assessed at interview and by reference SECTION 2 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage. Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Knowledge Demonstrate knowledge of the following: The requirements of a Classroom Assistant (Additional Special Educational Needs) Child development issues Health and safety requirements, relevant to the role Interview Skills / Abilities Demonstrate: The ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team; The ability to assist in the delivery of specific teaching programmes to pupils with special educational needs, including through the use of ICT; The ability to develop the communication and independence skills of children with special educational needs; The ability to adapt to changing circumstances; The use of initiative in a range of school situations. Interview Values Orientation Evidence of a genuine interest in working with children with special educational needs and the personal qualities necessary to provide a high standard of service, including: reliability patience enthusiasm good humour flexibility resilience creativity energy Willingness to receive training relevant to the role Interview SECTION 3 - DESIRABLE CRITERIA Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. Factor Desirable Criteria Method of Assessment Qualifications / Experience Have experience of working with children who are vision impaired Have experience of working in a paid capacity in a school environment with pupils who have special educational needs for a minimum of 12 months Shortlisting by Application Form