Advisory Teacher (Complex Social Communication).

Gateshead Council; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 53,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Hybrid & flexible working

Learning & development opportunities

Pension and benefits

Cycle to work

Salary sacrifice discounts

Job summary

Gateshead Council is seeking a part-time Fixed Term educational specialist to work with the Education, Schools and Inclusion Service. You will support schools with complex social communication needs, including autism, and provide expert guidance, assessments and written reports to improve learning outcomes.

The role requires Qualified Teacher Status, strong communication skills, and a commitment to inclusion.

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status and successful experience of teaching within an educational setting.
• Specialist knowledge of complex social communication needs, including autism.
• Experience of assessing, planning, monitoring and reviewing provision for children and young people with SEND.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and report-writing skills.
• Experience of working collaboratively with families, schools and multi‑agency partners.
• Strong organisational, analytical and digital skills.
• A commitment to inclusion, safeguarding, CPD and delivering training that builds confidence and capability across educational settings. Access to a car (or mobility support), a valid driving licence and appropriate insurance is required.

Responsibilities

• Act as a specialist point of contact for schools and educational settings, providing expert advice, guidance and support to meet the needs of children and young people with complex social communication needs, including autism.
• Support and challenge schools to develop and maintain high standards of inclusive practice and effective teaching and learning strategies.
• Undertake specialist assessments, identify barriers to learning and provide recommendations, verbal feedback and written reports to maximise pupil outcomes.
• Build positive and productive relationships with children and young people, promoting confidence, engagement and achievement.
• Work closely with parents, carers and professionals within a multi-agency framework to support children and young people effectively.
• Research and identify specialist programmes, interventions and resources that improve curriculum access and raise achievement.
• Design and deliver training, advice sessions and professional development opportunities for education professionals.
• Provide educational advice to support Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments, Education, Health and Care Plan reviews and decisions regarding provision.
• Maintain accurate records, monitor outcomes and contribute to quality assurance and service improvement activities.
• Attend and contribute to team and service meetings whilst keeping up to date with professional developments, safeguarding requirements and educational legislation.
• Although based at the Civic Centre, you will spend the majority of your time working in schools.

Skills

Specialist knowledge of autism

Excellent communication

Report-writing

Team collaboration

Digital skills

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Job description

Fixed Term Contract for 12 Months.

Salary £34,069 - £52,835 (MPS 1 - UPS3) + £2885 SEN Payment, pro rata to hours worked of 19.46 per week

Who We Are & What We Stand For

Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match.

We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time.

We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.

At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.

Making inclusion happen. Empowering schools. Transforming outcomes.

The Education, Schools and Inclusion Service is committed to ensuring that children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can thrive, achieve and participate fully in education. As part of a specialist advisory team, you will work collaboratively with schools, families and partner agencies to promote high-quality inclusive practice and remove barriers to learning for children and young people with complex social communication needs, including autism. The team provides expert advice, assessment, training and support to educational settings across Gateshead, helping schools build confidence, capability and sustainable inclusive approaches.

Use your expertise to help every child communicate, connect and succeed.

What You Will Get To Do

• Act as a specialist point of contact for schools and educational settings, providing expert advice, guidance and support to meet the needs of children and young people with complex social communication needs, including autism.
• Support and challenge schools to develop and maintain high standards of inclusive practice and effective teaching and learning strategies.
• Undertake specialist assessments, identify barriers to learning and provide recommendations, verbal feedback and written reports to maximise pupil outcomes.
• Build positive and productive relationships with children and young people, promoting confidence, engagement and achievement.
• Work closely with parents, carers and professionals within a multi-agency framework to support children and young people effectively.
• Research and identify specialist programmes, interventions and resources that improve curriculum access and raise achievement.
• Design and deliver training, advice sessions and professional development opportunities for education professionals.
• Provide educational advice to support Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments, Education, Health and Care Plan reviews and decisions regarding provision.
• Maintain accurate records, monitor outcomes and contribute to quality assurance and service improvement activities.
• Attend and contribute to team and service meetings whilst keeping up to date with professional developments, safeguarding requirements and educational legislation.
• Although based at the Civic Centre, you will spend the majority of your time working in schools.

Champion inclusion. Share your knowledge. Change lives.

What You Will Bring

• Qualified Teacher Status and successful experience of teaching within an educational setting.
• Specialist knowledge of complex social communication needs, including autism, and how these needs impact learning, inclusion and access to the curriculum.
• Experience of assessing, planning, monitoring and reviewing provision for children and young people with SEND, alongside an understanding of a wide range of effective support strategies.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and report-writing skills, with the ability to influence, advise, support and challenge professionals constructively.
• Experience of working collaboratively with families, schools and multi‑agency partners to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people.
• Strong organisational, analytical and digital skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, solve problems and deliver high‑quality work to deadlines.
• A commitment to inclusion, safeguarding, continuous professional development and delivering training that builds confidence and capability across educational settings. Access to a car (or mobility support), a valid driving licence and appropriate insurance is required.

If successful you will have to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure.

For further information or for an informal discussion, please contact Julie Gibson 07716048718

What’s In It For You

• Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience. Salary £34,069 - £52,835 (MPS 1 - UPS3) + £2885 SEN Payment, pro rata to hours worked
• Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Teachers Pension provides: https://www.teacherspensions.co.uk/
• Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work‑life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
• Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax‑efficient cycle to work programme.
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).

Our commitment to you

We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.