Language and Communication Intervention Officer - Local Impact Teams - 2 posts in Belfast

PERSON SPECIFICATION NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS

1. 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.

2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.

3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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 on how you meet any desirable criteria.

Section 1 - Essential Criteria

• Qualifications/Experience: Hold a Degree in Psychology/Social Science/Education/Speech and Language Therapy or other third level qualification which is relevant to the post.
• Skills/Abilities: Have three years’ experience working with children with special educational needs in an educational setting. Experience working with families and settings to promote partnership working and effective inclusion. Have experience of designing and implementing programmes of support for individual children with SEN.
• Knowledge: Have a working knowledge of specific strategies and methods suitable for working with pupils with language and communication SEN.
• 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 - Essential Criteria

• Knowledge: Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of Language and Communication SEN including Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). Current legislation and policy context in promoting the inclusion of Children and Young People with SEN in educational settings.
• Skills/Abilities: 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 plan and organise work effectively with children and young people with SEN in educational settings.
• Values Orientation: Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values.

Section 3 - Desirable Criteria

• Qualifications/Experience: Have experience of providing advisory support/training to school staff, parents, colleagues or other professionals. Additional training or a relevant qualification in the area of Language and Communication/DLD SEN.

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.

APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES: To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here. To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here. The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

JOB PURPOSE: The Intervention Officer will work as part of the Local Impact Team. In delivering this role, the Intervention Officer will provide advice to educational setting staff and parents and will support children directly in settings. The Intervention Officer will also contribute to training and support programmes, participate in collaborative working and contribute to the development of the Local Impact team Model with the guidance of senior team members.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Training, advice and support for service users: Work within the guidance of designated team members to support children with Language & Communication needs; Contribute to the assessment of children with special educational needs in partnership with the pupil’s settings. Contribute to the planning and delivery of individual programmes for identified children who require more intensive support; Prepare materials that may be required to support the individual child in their setting context as well as other aspects of the school setting.
• Families: Work under the direction of designated team members to support families of children with Language and Communication special educational needs by providing a caring and empathetic service to families demonstrating an understanding of their experiences and the challenges they may face; Providing professional advice and support to parents of children who have been identified as having special educational needs.
• Collaboration with Others and Inter-agency Work: Participate in a co-ordinated approach in addressing the special educational needs of a child with complex language and communication SEN; Follow service protocols in relation to collaborative working to ensure an efficient use of service time and resources.
• Record Keeping and Information Technology: Maintain records of support and provide reports in line with agreed protocols; Prepare, as appropriate, reports on support provided to settings and on the progress of individual children under the supervision of a designated member of the service.
• Maintaining Quality of Service Delivery: Participate in and contribute to the service staff development programme; Engage in professional development activities in line with the Local Impact Team model of team development and in relation to personal targets and goals.

Other Duties: Complying with EA policies and procedures in relation to the duties and responsibilities of the post. Contributing to the ongoing evaluation of the Local Impact Teams. Maintaining at all times confidentiality of information received.

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.