Language Support Assistant - Newcomer Pupils

Education Authority; Craigavon; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational organization in Northern Ireland seeks a Language Support Assistant to help newcomer pupils adjust. Responsibilities include setting up structures for students, gathering information, and supporting language acquisition programs. Essential qualifications include a Level 2 qualification and experience in learning environments. This role requires strong communication and planning skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 weeks' experience in a formal learning environment or placement.
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements.
• Understanding of child protection and safeguarding.

Responsibilities

• Set up structures for newcomer students to help them settle.
• Compile student profiles and communicate with parents.
• Support basic language acquisition as directed.

Skills

Effective planning and organising skills

Ability to work as part of a team

Effective communication skills

Education

Level 2 qualification in a relevant area

Job description

Overview

POST TITLE: Language Support Assistant – Newcomer Pupils

RESPONSIBLE TO: The School Principal through the Coordinator

JOB PURPOSE:

The person appointed to this position should be a confident, innovative and dynamic team member who has relevant expertise and qualities to assist in the development of the above post according to the terms of the agreed Aims and Objectives of the school. It is expected that the person appointed will have highly developed interpersonal and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Set up structures and procedures to provide a welcoming environment for newcomer students and to help them settle
• Gather important information to compile a student profile and disseminate as appropriate
• Introduce new students to all staff
• Familiarise newcomer students with procedures and routines
• Compile relevant information for meetings with parents
• Establish good communication with the home – letters, phone contacts
• Support basic language acquisition, as directed by the school coordinator
• Assisting the Co-ordinator in the delivery of support programmes
• Support curriculum language as specified by subject teachers
• Monitor the progress of newcomer students and maintain records

Personal Development

• Continue to develop personal and professional expertise to assist in the development or provision for students for whom English is not the first language. This may include relevant in-service training.
• Attend meetings with key personnel to ensure effective provision for pupils
• Co-operate as required in the introduction, development and operation of any information technology relevant to the post.
• Carry out the professional duties of a learning support assistant

Other Duties

• Maintain an orderly, safe and welcoming environment for pupils in accordance with the School’s Health and Safety Policy
• Ensure that all equipment and resources are handled with care, maintained according to School policy, properly secured and that inventories are accurate and up-to-date
• Any other tasks or duties within the grade of the post

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

• 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

The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor

Essential Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications and Experience

Option 1:

Hold a minimum of a Level 2 (or equivalent)* qualification in a relevant area from 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

Core Knowledge

Demonstrate a working knowledge of:

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.

Effective and positive communication skills.

Interview/Assessment

Core Behaviours

Ability to build positive and supportive relationships.

Empathy

Confidentiality

Interview

Section 2 - Desirable Criteria

Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor

Desirable Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications and Experience

Qualification

Hold a qualification relevant to delivering English as an Additional Language.

Experience

Experience of working as a Language Support Assistant in a post-primary school.

Ability to use digital technologies to assist in learning and the preparation of resources .

Sifting by Application Form