Teaching Assistant for Children and Young People with a Vision Impairment

Oldham Council; Oldham; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 31,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

LGPS pension

Discounted gym membership

Staff discount scheme

Cycle to Work

Wellbeing support

Peer support groups

Job summary

Oldham Council's Sensory and Physical Support Service is seeking a Teaching Assistant for Children and Young People with a Vision Impairment in Oldham. This role focuses on inclusion, under supervision of Qualified Teachers, to prepare accessible materials and support individual programmes.

The post requires Grade 1/2 Braille qualification (or willingness to attain), strong literacy, excellent communication, and a valid driving ability to work across borough settings.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with CYP with vision impairment.
• Good literacy to contribute to reports.
• Grade 1 or Grade 2 Braille qualification or willingness to attain.

Responsibilities

• Support inclusion of children with vision impairment and overcome barriers to learning.
• Work with Qualified Teachers to provide support and prepare accessible curriculum materials.
• Implement personalised work programmes in different schools/settings/homes as required.

Skills

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Literacy

Braille qualification

Driving

Job description

Education, Early Years and Skills

Sensory and Physical Support Service

Teaching Assistant for Children and Young People with a Vision Impairment

Ref: 001699

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £28,598 - £31,022 (full time full year equivalent) | Actual Salary: £12,229 - £13,266 pro rata per annum (Grade 4)

Hours: 1 x 16.25 Hours per week, term time only plus 2.5days; 39 weeks

Location: Oldham Council, Oldham Council Offices, Spindles Shopping Centre, George Street, Oldham, OL1 1HD

Closing Date: Sunday 13 September 2026

Interview Date: TBC.

Role Overview

• To support the inclusion of children and young people with a vision impairment and contribute to excellent outcomes and aspirations.
• To work under the guidance of Qualified Teachers of Children and Young People with a Vision Impairment within an agreed system of supervision, to provide effective support and advice, support preparation of accessible curriculum materials and implement agreed personalised work programmes with individuals with a vision impairment in different schools, settings and homes as required.

Key Responsibilities

• To work with identified pupils to help promote inclusion and to overcome barriers to learning as a result of their vision impairment.
• To supervise, assist and support pupils in schools and settings, to access learning activities, through your knowledge of the curriculum and knowledge of how children with a vision impairment learn.
• To work collaboratively with service staff, school staff, families, pupils and other professionals under the direction of the Qualified Teachers of Children and Young People with a Vision Impairment.

Key Requirements

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with which to build and maintain effective relationships with all CYP, staff and families.
• Sound knowledge, skills and direct experience of working with CYP with a vision impairment.
• A good standard of literacy with the ability to contribute to reports.
• Grade 1 or grade 2 braille qualification or the willingness to attain.
• The use of a car is necessary to work in settings throughout the borough.

About Us

We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities. We've identified three missions with our residents and partners, focusing on what will deliver the biggest impact:

A Great Place to Live, Healthier, Happier Lives, and Green and Growing.

We're looking for candidates who will support us to achieve our ambitions and we encourage you to download our Corporate Plan: Ready for the Future and our Oldham Plan for further information.

Our Values and Behaviours

By driving innovation, investing in our people, and championing our communities, we will ensure that Oldham continues to be a place where everyone can live their best life. To support this, we have three core values which define who we are and how we operate. These are 'Proud, Ambitious, and Together', and they shape our culture, inform our decisions, and inspire us to deliver on our commitments to the people of Oldham.

We have translated these values into five behaviours which guide our actions and are the standards we hold ourselves to, day in and day out:

• Work with a resident focus
• Support local leaders
• Committed to the borough
• Delivery high performance
• Take ownership and drive change

You can find out more about our values and behaviours on our greater.jobs Oldham page

Our Benefits Package

• 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10-years' service
• The option to purchase additional annual leave.
• An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.
• Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.
• Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.
• Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.
• Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
• Staff recognition and celebration events.
• Peer support groups

Inclusive Recruitment

We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years or 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years whilst aged 18 or over, please refer to the link below for details for how to obtain your Certificates of Good Character. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.

Important Information

Please note that should a vacancy that has been released for internal or external recruitment be deemed suitable for a current employee at risk of redundancy, it can be pulled back at any point, up to the post being formally offered to a candidate who is not at risk of redundancy.

Right to Work in the UK from 1st July 2021.doc