Classroom Assistant (Additional Special Educational Needs) x 6

Education Authority (Northern Ireland); Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

Education Authority (Northern Ireland) seeks a Classroom Assistant – Additional Special Educational Needs to support learning in a school setting. The role requires a Level 2 qualification and at least 6 weeks of experience in a learning environment, with emphasis on health and safety and safeguarding.

You will work as part of a team, follow established systems, and adapt to create a child-centred SEN learning experience. Desirable training includes First Aid, Makaton, or similar SEN supports.

Qualifications

• Hold a Level 2 (or equivalent) qualification in a relevant area from an accredited awarding body.
• Qualification must be at Certificate or Diploma level.
• Minimum 6 weeks experience in a formal learning environment or placement as part of Level 2.
• Or 12 months’ experience of working in a formal learning environment.
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements, development needs of children/young people, and safeguarding.
• Evidence of planning, teamwork, and ability to follow systems to support a child-centred learning experience.
• For ASEN Classroom Assistant, demonstrate SEN-related skills and strategies to support pupils.

Skills

Planning and organisation

Follow systems and plans

Teamwork

Flexible and creative

Effective communication

Empathy

Confidentiality

Education

Level 2 qualification

Additional SEN training

Job description

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

Option 1

Factor

Essential Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications and Experience

Hold a minimum of a Level 2 (or equivalent) qualification* in a relevant area obtained through a recognised accredited awarding body.

• Qualification must be at Certificate or Diploma level. Award level is not acceptable.

AND

Have a minimum of 6 weeks experience which has been gained either through working in a formal learning environment or through a placement completed as part of your level 2 (or equivalent) qualification.

OR

Option 2

Have a minimum of 12 months’ experience of working in a formal learning environment.

Sifting by Application Form

Sifting by Application Form and verified at Interview

Knowledge

• Health and safety requirements
• Development needs of children and/or young people.
• Child protection and safeguarding

Interview/Assessment

Skills

Evidence of the following skills to support child-centred learning and assist with the management of the learning environment:

• Effective planning and organising skills.
• Ability to follow agreed systems and plans.
• Ability to work as part of team
• Ability to work flexibly and creatively to help ensure a child-centred learning experience.

Skills

In addition to the above to be appointed to an ASEN Classroom Assistant post you must be able to demonstrate evidence of at least one or more of the following sets of skills obtained in a learning/caring environment with children/young people:

• Undertaking more comprehensive or invasive medical/clinical procedures.
• Assisting pupils with specialist communication needs or sensory difficulties to access the curriculum.
• Working with pupils with challenging behaviour.
• Working knowledge of specific areas of SEN* and implications for learning.

• Areas of SEN could include:
• Communication and interaction
• Cognition and learning
• Social, mental and emotional health
• Sensory and/or physical
• Working knowledge of effective strategies to support the learning of pupils with SEN/particular needs.

Behaviours

• Effective and positive communication skills.
• Ability to build positive and supportive relationships.
• Empathy
• Confidentiality

SECTION 2 - DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Qualifications

• Additional training/qual e.g. Braille, Makaton, First Aid, speech and language support, Team Teach training.
• Hold a minimum of level 2 passes in English and/or Mathematics, or higher-level qualifications

Experience

• Experience of working with a child and/or young person with a specific special educational need/MLD/SLD etc.
• Experience of working as a Classroom Assistant with pupils in a particular setting i.e. specialist provision unit attached to mainstream/ special school setting

Further SEN Skills

• Ability to proactively support pupils with specific needs* (determine need based on individual statement)
• Ability to support dysregulated pupils

DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’. In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre‑employment stage. Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Classroom Assistant – Additional Special Educational Needs