Classroom Assistant Register (Additional Special Educational Needs) - Antrim & Newtownabbey Area

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.

Applicants who satisfy the essential criteria outlined in Section 1 at the application stage will be added to the Classroom Assistant candidate pool. 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 for each individual school also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable 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.

• Qualifications and Experience: By the time of taking up post, applicants must meet either Option 1 or Option 2:

• Option 1: 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.
• Option 2: Have a minimum of 12 months’ experience of working in a formal learning environment.

Irish Medium Schools Only: Have an ability to speak and/or write in Irish.

Demonstrate a working knowledge of:

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

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 a team.
• Ability to work flexibly and creatively to help ensure a child-centred learning experience.

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.
• Working knowledge of effective strategies to support the learning of pupils with SEN/particular needs.

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

In the event of an excessive number of applications the desirable criteria may be applied. The list below sets out a wide range of desirable criteria and not all of these will be relevant to every SENCA post. When planning for a recruitment exercise, schools will determine which desirable criteria are relevant to that post and these may only be applied if needed to determine a manageable pool of candidates.

By the time of taking up post:

• Have completed additional training/qualification e.g. Braille, Makaton, First Aid, speech and language support, Team Teach training.
• Hold a Level 3 (or equivalent level) qualification in a relevant area from a recognised accredited awarding body.
• Hold a minimum of level 2 passes in English and/or Mathematics, or higher-level qualifications.
• Have experience of working with a child and/or young person with a specific special educational need e.g. MLD/SLD etc.
• Have experience of working as a Classroom Assistant in a special school setting.

Other additional skill requirements:

• Have experience of using assistive technology.
• Have experience of proactively supporting pupils with specific needs.
• Have experience of dealing with challenging behaviours.
• Have experience of using digital technologies to assist in learning and the preparation of resources.

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 appointment 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.

To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here. To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here. Further information on the Classroom Assistant Recruitment Scheme can be found here. The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Under the direction of the class teacher/outreach teacher/Education Authority officer, assist with the educational support and the care of the pupil(s) with special educational needs who is/are in the teacher’s care in or outside the classroom.

The precise duties of the post will be determined by the principal/outreach teacher/Education Authority officer.

At least one of the three duties below should be carried out as a requirement of the post:

• Undertake more comprehensive or invasive medical/clinical procedures.
• Help pupils with specialist communication skills and/or sensory difficulties access the curriculum.
• Deal with pupils with very challenging behaviour as identified by the Educational Psychology Service as requiring additional provision.

Assist the teacher with the support and care of pupil(s) with special educational needs e.g. enable access to the curriculum, attend to personal needs including dietary, feeding, toileting etc. Develop an understanding of the specific needs of the pupil(s) to be supported. Assist with authorised programmes (e.g. Education Plan, Care Plan), participate in the evaluation of the support and encourage pupil(s) participation in such programmes. Contribute to the inclusion of the pupil in mainstream classroom under the direction of the class teacher. Assist with operational difficulties and medical difficulties pertaining to pupil(s) disabilities. Support in implementing behavioural management programmes as directed. Assist pupil(s) in moving around school and on and off transport.

Assist pupil(s) learn as effectively as possible both in group situations and on their own by assisting with the management of the learning environment through:

• Clarifying and explaining instruction;
• Ensuring the pupils are able to use equipment and materials provided;
• Assisting in motivating and encouraging the pupil(s) as required;
• Assisting in areas requiring reinforcement or development;
• Promoting the independence of pupils to enhance learning;
• Helping pupil(s) stay on work set;
• Meeting physical/medical needs as required whilst encouraging independence.

Be aware of school policies, procedures and of confidential issues linked to home/pupil/teacher/school work and to keep confidences appropriately. Establish a supportive relationship with the pupils concerned. Prepare and produce appropriate resources to support pupil(s) and take care of material for play sessions. Supervise groups of pupils, or individual pupils on specified activities including talking and listening, using ICT, extra curricular activities, and other duties as directed by the class teacher/officer. Under the direction of the teacher, and following an appropriate risk assessment, assist with off-site activities.

Provide continuity of adult care of e.g. supervising play and cloakrooms including hand washing, toileting etc. Provide supervision/support including the administration of prescribed medicines and drugs for children who are ill and deal with minor cuts and grazes. Ensure as far as possible a safe environment for pupils. Report to the class teacher any signs or symptoms displayed which may suggest that a pupil requires expert or immediate attention.

Assist with classroom administration. Assist the class teacher and/or other professionals with the implementation of the system for recording the pupil(s) progress. Contribute to the maintenance of pupil(s) progress records. Provide regular feedback about the pupil(s) to the teacher. Duplicate written materials, assist with production of charts and displays, record radio and television programmes, catalogue and process books and resources.

Attend relevant in-service training. Assist work placement students with practical tasks. Such other duties as may be assigned by the Principal within the level 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.