Advisory Teacher - Autism (Local Impact Teams) - Enniskillen Area

Reports to: Local Impact Team Manager

Responsible for: Delivering the Programme of Offer within Local Impact Teams

Job Purpose

The Autism Advisory Teacher will work within the Education Authority Local Impact Teams. The role of the Autism Advisory Teacher is to deliver training, to offer advice and support to school staff and parents/carers, and to work directly with autistic children and young people regards of their stage on the diagnostic journey. This may involve working with school staff and pupils in preschool, nursery, primary post‑primary settings, within mainstream, specialist settings attached to a mainstream and Special Schools. The Advisory Teacher will liaise with other EA Officers and with other professionals in other agencies.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Advise and support staff working in schools, nurseries and preschool settings
• Provide advice to schools to facilitate school staff addressing the particular learning, social, communication and developmental needs of Autistic pupils
• Work closely with class teachers, Special Needs Co‑ordinators (SENCos) and Learning Support teachers in schools to develop effective strategies and interventions in relation to individual or groups of pupils
• Encourage a co‑ordinated approach in addressing a pupil’s learning, social, communication and developmental needs
• Contribute to the implementation of a range of interventions
• Devise and assist the implementation of an individualised learning programme for autistic children and young people
• Facilitate the delivery of a range of support packages that are deemed to be appropriate to meet the needs of the individual Autistic pupil
• Work directly with selected individual pupils
• Contribute to blocks of direct pupil support for pupils who require more specific support in addition to the advice and guidance provided to the school staff
• Monitor, assess and review a pupil’s progress and the appropriateness of provision and provide reports at regular intervals as required
• Develop Autistic Specific Training Programmes
• Contribute to the development and delivery of training courses for Teachers, classroom assistants, Learning Support Assistants, other school‑based staff, parents/carers and for other professionals
• Promote Parental Involvement
• Liaise with the pupil’s parents/carers to encourage their involvement and to offer advice and support as to how they might support their child at home
• Encourage liaison between home and school to maximise consistency in relation to the effective strategies that are being implemented to meet the needs of the pupil
• Provide Advice to the Education Authority by writing educational advice in respect of pupils with Special Educational Needs under the terms of the Education and Libraries (NI) Order 1986
• Liaise with other Agencies to promote a co‑ordinated approach in the assessment and identification of a pupil’s learning, social, communication and developmental needs
• Engage in multi‑disciplinary meetings, as appropriate, to meet the needs of individual pupils
• Be involved with Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Undertake any other related duties as required by the Education Authority

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.

Summary of Terms and Conditions

To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post.

Person Specification – Essential and Desirable Criteria

Section 1 – Essential Criteria

• Qualifications: Be a qualified teacher as recognised by the Department of Education to teach in grant‑aided schools.
• Experience: Have a minimum of three years’ demonstrable experience of directly teaching pupils with Special Educational Needs, arising from a diagnosis autism, in mainstream primary and/or post‑primary schools, Special Schools, in a Specialist Provision attached to a mainstream school and/or within Pupil Support Services.
• Demonstrable experience of a range of appropriate evidence‑based interventions that can be applied in school settings to support autistic pupils.
• Have experience of working collaboratively with a range of professionals to support children with SEN.
• Knowledge: Demonstrable knowledge of appropriate teaching strategies and approaches to meet the learning needs of autistic children and young people.
• Other: The successful candidate will be required to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner.

Section 2 – Additional Essential Criteria (Interview)

• Illustrate a range of experiences of successfully teaching autistic children and young people.
• Experience and knowledge of using relevant teaching strategies to support autistic children and young people.
• Experience and knowledge of a range of evidence‑based interventions that can be used to support autistic children and young people.
• Knowledge of the Dyad of Impairments associated with a diagnosis of autism and knowledge of the strengths associated with autism.
• Knowledge of associated challenges which may be associated with autism and knowledge of appropriate strategies used to support them.

Skills / Abilities

• Ability to use appropriate teaching strategies and support packages that can be applied in school settings to support children and young people with autism.
• Have a high degree of interpersonal skills and an ability to use initiative, working logically and with precision.
• The ability to engage and communicate sensitively and professionally with families, setting staff and a range of professionals to promote the best interests of the child.
• The ability to work as a member of a team and a strong commitment to teamwork.
• Ability to manage a complex workload and make priorities to meet deadlines particularly when addressing challenging situations and change.
• Ability to build trust and strong working relationships with stakeholders and colleagues from other areas/agencies.

Values Orientation

Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values.

Section 3 – Desirable Criteria

• Qualifications – Completed accredited training on a minimum of two of the following: TEACCH, PECS, Attention Autism, PEP‑3, SCERTS, Interactive Play, Intensive Interaction, Zones of Regulation, Solihull, Post Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies, Masters of Science (Autism Spectrum Disorders), Masters of Education (Autism Spectrum Disorders).
• Experience – Have experience of providing advisory support/training to school staff, parents, colleagues or other professionals.

Our Values

Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery.

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 on www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/accessni-criminal-record-checks or www.justice-ni.gov.uk/articles/about-accessni.

Applicant Guidance Notes

To view the applicant guidance notes.

Benefits

To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority.

Equal Opportunities Statement

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.