Specialist Advisory Teacher for Cognition, Learning and Down Syndrome

Oxfordshire County Council; Kidlington; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxfordshire County Council is recruiting a Specialist Advisory Teacher in the Cognition, Learning and Down Syndrome team to support children and young people with cognition and learning needs across mainstream schools and settings. Through specialist assessment, advice, teaching and training, you will help learners access learning, develop independence and achieve their potential.

You will work with families, SENDCOs and school staff, manage a caseload, travel across Oxfordshire, and contribute

Qualifications

• Specialist assessment, advice and training experience would be advantageous.
• Experience delivering inclusive teaching strategies for learners with cognition and/or Down Syndrome.
• Ability to coach school staff and involve families in planning and progress.

Responsibilities

• Carry out specialist assessments and provide guidance to schools.
• Deliver training and build inclusive practices in settings.
• Support school staff, families and partners through multi-agency planning.
• Manage a varied caseload across multiple settings and travel across Oxfordshire.

Skills

Specialist assessment

Teaching

Coaching

Communication

Collaboration

Education

QTS (Qualified Teacher Status)

Job description

About Us

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and Oxfordshire County Council are transforming support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We are building a team of health and education professionals (Experts at Hand) to provide earlier intervention and stronger inclusion in schools settings, providing practical support where it is needed, and helping children and young people receive the right support, at the right time. By sharing your expertise and working collaboratively with colleagues across organisations, you'll play a key role in improving outcomes for children, families, and schools across Oxfordshire.

As part of our Experts at Hand programme, you'll join a growing community of specialists dedicated to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Working across education, health and care, we are creating more connected, responsive services that help children and young people access support earlier, whilst building confidence, skills and inclusive practice within schools and settings.

The Cognition, Learning and Down Syndrome team is part of the SEND and Inclusion Support Services (SENDISS) and works alongside mainstream schools and settings to help remove barriers to learning, strengthen inclusion and support children and young people to participate, achieve and develop confidence and independence.

About the Role

As a Specialist Advisory Teacher in the Cognition, Learning and Down Syndrome team in SENDISS, you will be a valued member of a specialist team supporting children and young people with cognition and learning needs and/or Down Syndrome across mainstream schools, educational settings and the wider community. Through specialist assessment, advice, teaching and training, you will help children and young people access learning, develop independence and achieve their potential.

This is a varied and highly rewarding role where you'll work directly with children and young people, families, schools and professional partners to identify strengths, understand barriers and develop effective approaches that support learning and inclusion. You will hold a caseload of children and young people, providing specialist advice and guidance that helps schools and settings create environments where children can participate fully and succeed.

A key part of the role involves empowering others. You will work closely with school staff, SENDCOs and families, helping to build confidence and capability through coaching, modelling and training. By translating specialist knowledge into practical strategies, you will help schools develop inclusive approaches that support children and young people both academically and socially.

You will contribute to statutory processes, produce high-quality written reports and work collaboratively with a range of multi-agency partners to ensure children and families receive joined-up support. Through your expertise, you will help children and young people develop independence, decision-making skills and self-advocacy, enabling them to become active participants in their own learning and development.

No two days will be the same. One day you may be carrying out specialist assessments and working directly with a child, while the next could involve delivering training, supporting school staff, contributing to multi-agency planning or helping families navigate support pathways. Throughout everything you do, you will be helping children and young people overcome barriers and access the opportunities they deserve.

This permanent role will include regular travel to schools, settings and community locations across Oxfordshire. An enhanced DBS check, including a check of the Children's Barred List, is required.

About you

You are passionate about inclusion and believe every child and young person deserves the opportunity to thrive. You understand that the right advice, support and intervention can have a lasting impact on a child's confidence, wellbeing and educational outcomes.

You will be a qualified teacher with QTS and have relevant experience of supporting children and young people with cognition and learning needs and/or Down Syndrome. You will have strong assessment and teaching skills, alongside a sound understanding of effective inclusive practice and strategies that improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Strong relationships are central to this role, so you'll be an excellent communicator who can build trust with children, young people, families, school staff and professional partners. You'll be confident working collaboratively, listening carefully to different perspectives and ensuring that the views of children, young people and their families remain at the heart of decision-making.

You will be organised, adaptable and able to manage a varied caseload across multiple settings. You'll feel comfortable working independently, prioritising competing demands and travelling across Oxfordshire to provide support where it is needed. Most importantly, you'll bring creativity, resilience and professional curiosity, using your expertise to help schools and settings find practical solutions that remove barriers and promote inclusion.

You will share our commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND and be motivated by making a tangible difference to their lives, their opportunities and their futures. Through effective teaching, specialist advice and collaborative working, you'll help ensure children and young people are understood, supported and able to flourish.

If you're ready to join our community of Experts at Hand and help shape brighter futures for children and young people across Oxfordshire, we'd love to hear from you.

To request an informal conversation about this role, please contact Vicki Davison, Lead Teacher for the SENDISS Cognition, Learning and Down Syndrome team, at [e-mail]

Rewards and benefits

The role is offered on School Teachers Pay and Conditions.

Ourcommitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:

Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:

Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:

Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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