Job Information
Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government. To find out more about us
Specialist Autism Outreach HLTA
We are looking for an experienced practitioner to join our Autism/SLCN Advisory Service in our new and exciting role of Specialist Autism Outreach Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA).
You will be expected to work across Kingston and Richmond under the direction of a specialist advisory teacher, and as part of the wider AfC outreach team to support schools in meeting the needs of pupils with Autism and/or social communication difficulties.
Please note the salary advertised is full time equivalent, the amount will be pro rata in line with term time working.
About the role
The Autism/Speech Language & Communication (SLCN) advisory team offers consultation, advice and support to staff in our primary and secondary schools to enable them to work effectively with children and young people who have Autism or social communication needs across Kingston & Richmond.
You will be expected to:
1. carry out observations of pupils and then to liaise with school staff, parent carers and other practitioners to give recommendations to enable effective support for pupils in a mainstream primary and secondary environment with a diagnosis of Autism/identified social communication needs
2. supporting schools to audit/ensure that quality first teaching approaches and ordinarily available provision is in place.
3. directly work with children in their education settings, delivering and modeling interventions and strategies with support staff.
4. deliver relevant training to whole school or individual practitioners to upskill the confidence of staff in the local area.
For further information about this role, please contact Hannah Webber by email for an informal discussion.
About you
To be a Specialist Autism Outreach HLTA for Achieving for Children, you are likely to possess the following skills/experience:
5. Proven classroom experience in supporting pupils with autism/social communication and language needs within a mainstream nursery, school and/or specialist setting
6. Knowledge of successful approaches that work best with pupils with social communication & language difficulties, including Autism
7. Managing dysregulated behaviour associated with social communication & sensory needs effectively and the ability to coach and train others in this skill
8. Working successfully with parents and carers, as part of a multidisciplinary team along with school staff and other professionals
About our benefits
We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:
9. 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month(Or for term term workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract.)
10. Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
11. Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
12. Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
13. A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
14. A range of staff benefits and discounts
15. An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway
To find out about all of the breadth of benefits of working for Achieving for Children. For our social work offer .
Important Information
Start dates: Achieving for Children have meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month. Candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.
Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the for right to work guidance.
Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
For more information about AfC: Drop in and meet Regina on the first Wednesday of every month at Civic Centre, Twickenham.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.