JOB DESCRIPTION
REPORTS TO: Head of Service, AAIS
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Delivering the Programme of Offer for the AAIS
JOB PURPOSE
The Advisory Teacher will work within the Education Authority Autism Advisory and Intervention Service (AAIS). The role of the AAIS Advisory Teacher is to deliver training, offer advice and support to school staff and parents/carers, and work directly with autistic children and young people. This may involve working with school staff and pupils in preschool, nursery, primary, and post-primary settings, within mainstream and specialist settings attached to mainstream and Special Schools. The Advisory Teacher will liaise with other EA Officers and with other professionals in other agencies.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As detailed on the Teachers’ (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations (NI) 1987. In addition to teaching duties, the successful applicant will be required to:
1. Advise and support staff working in schools, nurseries, and preschool settings
o Provide advice to schools to facilitate staff addressing the particular learning, social, communication, and developmental needs of autistic pupils;
o Work closely with class teachers, Special Needs Co-ordinators (SENCos), and Learning Support teachers to develop effective strategies and interventions;
o Encourage a coordinated approach in addressing a pupil’s needs.
2. Contribute to the implementation of a range of interventions
o Devise and assist the implementation of an individualised learning programme for autistic children and young people;
o Facilitate the delivery of a range of interventions deemed appropriate to meet individual pupil needs.
3. Work directly with selected individual pupils
o Contribute to blocks of intervention with pupils requiring specific support;
o Monitor, assess, and review a pupil’s progress and the appropriateness of provision.
4. Develop Autistic Specific Training Programmes
o Contribute to the development and delivery of training courses for teachers, classroom assistants, and other professionals.
5. Promote Parental Involvement
o Liaise with parents/carers to encourage their involvement and offer advice on supporting their child at home;
o Encourage liaison between home and school to maximize consistency in effective strategies.
6. Provide Advice to the Education Authority
o Write educational advice regarding pupils with Special Educational Needs under the Education and Libraries (NI) Order 1986.
7. Liaise with other Agencies
o Promote a coordinated approach in assessing and identifying a pupil’s needs;
o Engage in multi-disciplinary meetings to meet individual pupil needs.
8. Be involved with Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
o Keep informed of current approaches and resources relevant to teaching autistic children.
9. Complete Other Duties
o Undertake any other related duties as required by the Education Authority.
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
1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications.
3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
4. Shortlisting will be carried out based on the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below.
5. 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.
6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting.
Section 1 - Essential Criteria
1. Qualifications
Be a qualified teacher as recognised by the Department of Education to teach in grant-aided schools.
2. Experience
Have a minimum of three years’ demonstrable experience of directly teaching pupils with Special Educational Needs arising from a diagnosis of autism.
Demonstrable experience of a range of appropriate evidence-based interventions to support autistic pupils.
Experience of working collaboratively with a range of professionals to support children with SEN.
3. Knowledge
Demonstrable knowledge of appropriate teaching strategies and approaches to meet the learning needs of autistic children and young people.
4. Other
The successful candidate will be required to have access to a suitable vehicle or provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer regarding mobility requirements.
Section 2 - Essential Criteria
1. Knowledge
Illustrate a range of experiences of successfully teaching autistic children and young people.
2. Skills/Abilities
Ability to use appropriate teaching strategies and support packages to support children and young people with autism.
High degree of interpersonal skills and ability to engage sensitively and professionally with families and professionals.
Section 3 - Desirable Criteria
1. Qualifications
Completed accredited training on a minimum of two of the following: TEACCH, PECS, Attention Autism, PEP-3, SCERTS, Interactive Play, Intensive Interaction, Zones of Regulation, Solihull, Post Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies, Masters of Science (Autism Spectrum Disorders), Masters of Education (Autism Spectrum Disorders).
2. Experience
Experience of providing advisory support/training to school staff, parents, colleagues, or other professionals.
DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
The Education Authority will undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background for posts that involve ‘regulated activity’.
Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate.
APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES
To view the applicant guidance notes, please clickhere.
The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
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