Appointment of a Specialist Teacher 1x permanent, full-time position Guide for Applicants Closing Date: Completed Application Forms must be received by 4.00pm on Tuesday 6th May 2025 INTRODUCTION Applications are invited for the appointment of a Specialist Teacher for Middletown Centre for Autism. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF THIS POST The successful candidate will benefit from: Excellent CPD and possible career development/ advancement opportunities in the future, Involvement in producing diverse training programmes for Parents, Staff and Professionals, Inclusion and access to peer reviewed journal articles. CONTENTS OF THE PACK Prior to completing the application form applicants should familiarise themselves with the contents of the information pack. The pack includes: Section 1 Job Description Section 2 Personnel Specification Section 3 Terms & Conditions of Appointment RETURN OF APPLICATION FORMS Completed application and monitoring forms must be made online, postal applications must be returned to the HR Department, Middletown Centre for Autism, 35 Church Street, Middletown, Co. Armagh, BT60 4HZ. Alternatively, application forms may be e-mailed details can be found by clicking Apply below byTuesday 6th May 2025. It is the responsibility of candidates to follow-up e-mailed application forms by telephone to ensure that they have been received at the Centre. Where applications are submitted online applicants, if shortlisted, will be required to sign their application form when attending for interview. NOTE TO CANDIDATES Candidates with a disability who require assistance will be facilitated upon request. Candidates who wish to receive application forms and information packs in accessible formats are requested to advise Middletown Centre of their requirements as promptly as possible allowing for the fact that the closing date for receipt remains the same for all applicants as noted above. JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Specialist Teacher Reporting to: The Head of Assessment and Learning Support Location: Middletown Centre for Autism Job Purpose: As an integral member of the Trans-disciplinary Learning Support and Assessment team for children and young people with autism, the post holder will assist in organising, delivering and ensuring an equitable and competent service to children and young people referred to the service. The post holder is responsible for assessment and contribution to recommendations in accordance with professional standards as well as maintaining a high level of knowledge of pedagogictechniques for autistic children and young people. The post holder will be expected to work with children and young people in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland and to deliver training to parents and professionals in both jurisdictions. A key role following assessment will be in enabling parents and professionals to deliver recommendations for educational goals through the child or young persons Learning Support Plan. Key Areas of Responsibility Assessment and Teaching Provide specialist advice to assist the team in carrying out their assessments. To deliver educational assessments to children and young people. To plan and make recommendations for individual curriculum-based goals to be incorporated into a child or young persons learning support plan. Plan, in co-ordination with first level services, Learning Support Plan goals for individual children and young people in pre-school, nursery, primary, post primary, special schools and other settings as appropriate. To assist and advise staff in the Learning Support and Assessment Team in matters relating to teaching children and young people referred to the Centre. Assist in developing an ongoing evaluation of all aspects of the educational input to the trans-disciplinary assessment in consultation with the Head of Learning Support and Assessment and the trans-disciplinary team. Liaise and work co-operatively with a wide range of agencies on outcome options and academic aims relating to children and young people referred to the Learning Support and Assessment Service. Liaise with and advise families of children and young people referred to the Centre and professional colleagues regarding autism specific outcomes. To provide practical and academic advice to help ensure that the highest standard of assessment and education is provided for children and young people referred to the Centre. To plan, carry out and review educational assessment showing a high level of problem solving and reasoning ability, management of risk and skilled judgement in recommendations for support. To provide training and support to parents, carers and professional staff on pedagogic approaches needed with individual children and young people. To advise on accommodations and supports in school and act in a consultative capacity for educational, health professionals and carers. To ensure educational recommendations are evaluated and reviewed. Training To train parents and professionals in autism specific supports within an educational context. To provide training in autism specific topics and methodologies to parents throughout the island of Ireland. To provide training in autism specific topics and methodologies to professionals throughout the island of Ireland. Professional and Organisational Skills Work co-jointly with staff from the Learning Support and Assessment team and the Research and Development Service to provide pertinent information relevant to ongoing research at the Centre. Work with team members from the Learning Support and Assessment team within a clear framework for delivering guidance and support to colleagues in the inclusion and delivery ofeducationalgoals in a child or young persons Learning Support Plan. Promote and participate in continuing professional development with members of the Learning Support and Assessment team and the Research and Development team. Enhance the teams specialist knowledge of autism specific supports for autistic children and young people and promote an awareness of current best practice in pedagogic approaches to teaching autistic children and young people. To act on a consultative basis on matters relating to educational practice within the area of autism for the trans-disciplinary Learning Support and Assessment team and outside agencies in Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland when required. To ensure that the service provided is in keeping with policies and strategies relating to childrens services also professional standards, procedures and objectives of quality assurance and remain consistent with best practice. To maintain accurate and up to date records consistent with organisational and professional requirements. To make available reports when required to all relevant agencies and professional colleagues. To undertake Continuous Professional Development (CPD) to further professional expertise and personal development. This includes ensuring reviews of ones own practice and performance and informing the Line Manager of training needs. To assist in ensuring the highest possible standards of education for children and young people referred to the Learning Support and Assessment Service. Trans-disciplinary Work Transdisciplinary working involves one team member delivering the entire learning support plan including the delivery of recommendations of other team members (with their support as required). Support the work of colleagues in incorporating educational recommendations into the delivery of Learning Support Plans for children and young people who are referred to the Learning Support and Assessment Service. Co-ordinate a team approach in relation to the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of learning support programmes for children with autism in their school setting, at home and in the community. Assist in the training of staff in the integration of the educational recommendations based on the educational assessment outcomes and provide them with guidance in the execution of the recommendations. Promote and participate in continuing professional development with members of the Learning Support and Assessment team, and the Research and Development team. Enhance the teams specialist knowledge of autism specific educational options and promote an awareness of current best practice in this area. Communication Assist in the interpretation and delivery of the results of the specialist assessment and resulting educational recommendations for parents and professionals. Work co-jointly with first level staff in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland supporting autistic children and young people, promoting coherence in the development and delivery of Educational Plans. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, tailoring content to the target audience. To participate in the provision of training to staff, students and other professionals as appropriate in relation to the children and young people referred to the Learning Support and Assessment Service. General Principals The post holder shall, at all times, uphold and comply with the Centres policy on the Protection of Children and Young People in an Educational Setting. The post holder shall, at all times, uphold and comply with the Centres Equal Opportunities Policy. N.B.The list of duties is not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive. The post holder may be required to undertake various other duties as deemed necessary and commensurate with the level of responsibility of the post. The Centre reserves the right to update the job description from time to time to reflect the changing needs of the Service in consultation with the post holder. This post will provide an opportunity for the successful candidate to develop a high level of expertise in the development of assessment and training methodologies both internal and external to the Centre and the successful candidate will be expected to maintain and develop their knowledge, skills and expertise through engagement in a range of continuous professional development activities. PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION Job Title: SpecialistTeacher Reporting to: The Head of Assessment and Learning Support Essential criteria: Applicants must be able to demonstrate on their application form how they meet each element of following essential criteria by the closing date: A relevant teaching qualification or third level equivalent qualification recognised by the General Teaching Council (NI); or the Teaching Council (ROI) with full teaching registration.* Have a minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience in the assessment or teaching of children and young people with Special Educational Needs, to include working with autistic children and young people. Significant post-qualification experience delivering autism specific support to children and young people with autism within an educational setting orsimilar environment. A proven track record in continuing your professional development (through appropriate courses of study) and attaining high level of skills in relation to autistic children and young people. Proven ability to use a range of autism specific supports and resources to enhance learning programmes. A current full driving licence and access to a vehicle or access to a form of transport which will allow the post holder to fully satisfy the travel requirements of the post. *Overseas qualifications will be acceptable where there is clear evidence from UK ENIC that the qualification is an equivalent level and grade to the minimum requirements, and that you meet the specific criteria. Desirable Criteria: If a large number of applications are received, it may be necessary to carry out a further shortlisting exercise to reduce the number of candidates to be invited for interview. In such circumstances the following desirable criteria may be assessed: Proven experience of working within a multidisciplinary, or trans-disciplinary team. Post graduate qualification in a subject related to autism. Proven experience in the delivery of autism specific training to professionals and/or parents. Special Requirements of the post. The work associated with this post will require travel throughout Northern Ireland and occasionally the Republic of Ireland. The Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (NI) Order 2003 (POCVA) The post for which you are applying is governed by The Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (Northern Ireland) Order 2003. Before appointing anyone to such a post, it is imperative for the relevant check to be carried out by Access NI or the Garda Vetting Office, as appropriate. This check is to make sure those individuals who might be a risk to children and/or vulnerable adults are not appointed. The check will indicate if you have a criminal record or if your name is included on the DHSSPS Disqualification from Working with Children List or included on the DE List and/or the DHSSPS Disqualified from Working with Vulnerable Adults List. Any information received will be treated confidentially and will be discussed with candidates before a final decision is reached. After the decision is made the information will be destroyed. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT Salary: This post is being offered at points 36 39 of the NJC Salary Scale, currently £45,718 - £48,710 per annum. Contracted Hours: Full-time - 37 hours per week. Location: Middletown Centre for Autism, post holder will be required to travel throughout Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland as required. Post Status: Permanent. Continuous Service: The Centre will recognise anyprevious service in any of the organisations included in Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government, etc.) (Modification) Order (Northern Ireland) 1999. This includes any service within education. Annual Leave: 25 days per annum, rising to 31 days after 5 years continuous service, plus public and privilege holidays (previous continuous service within education will be recognised). Pension: Middletown Centre for Autism is a member of NILGOSC pension scheme. Successful applicants are eligible to contribute to this scheme. Teachers wishing to continue contributions to the NI Teachers Superannuation Scheme may continue to do so while in employment at Middletown Centre for Autism. Probationary Period: The post holder will normally be required to serve a 6-month probationary period. Middletown Centre for Autism is an equal opportunities employer.