Teacher - Special Educational Needs (2 posts) in Magherafelt

PERSON SPECIFICATION

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS

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.

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. 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 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 how you meet any desirable criteria.

SECTION 1 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• Qualifications/ Professional Membership
  • Qualifications must be obtained at the closing date for completed applications
  • Hold a teaching qualification which meets the requirements for recognition to teach in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland
• Experience
  • Minimum of 6 months' paid experience within the last 6 years teaching pupils with severe learning difficulties (SLD); profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) and social, behavioural and emotional difficulties (SBEW) in a special school setting
  • Demonstrable experience of working with a range of professionals to meet the needs of children and young people within a special school setting, including demonstrable experience of approaches to promote positive behaviours for learning
• Knowledge
  • Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the Northern Ireland Curriculum and of using a range of effective teaching approaches to meet the needs of pupils with severe learning difficulties (SLD); profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) and SBEW in a special school setting
  • Demonstrable knowledge of using digital media/ information technology to enhance learning and teaching
• Other
  • Be registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) before taking up post

SECTION 2 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• Knowledge
  • Knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding and Child Protection policy/practice
  • Knowledge and understanding of assessment methods used with pupils with severe learning difficulties (SLD); profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) and SBEW in order to plan for learning and measure progress.
  • Knowledge of providing support to pupils who have experienced trauma/ display behaviours deemed as challenging.
• Skills / Abilities
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to provide a supportive and nurturing learning environment for pupils with severe learning difficulties (SLD); profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) and SBEW within and beyond the classroom, appropriate to age and key stage.
  • Ability to work collaboratively to promote positive relationships with pupils, colleagues, parents and the wider community.
  • Ability to work as an effective member of a team, and to lead, motivate, manage, challenge and enthuse others.
  • Ability to deal successfully with situations that may require conflict resolution.
  • Ability to use initiative, solve problems and be flexible.
• Values Orientation / Identification with School Ethos
  • Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect the School’s Values/ethos.

SECTION 3 - DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

• Qualifications and Experience
  • Demonstrable experience and/or qualifications relating to teaching pupils with severe/ profound and multiple learning difficulties and SBEW, such as:
  • Augmentative and Alternative Communications Systems, e.g. Makaton, Communication Boards, iPads etc.
  • Team Teach
  • Nurture
  • Trauma Informed Practice
  • Solihull Principles
  • Primary Movement
  • Attention Autism
  • PLPs
  • Annual Review Process
• A willingness or interest in assisting with and/or co-ordinating a curriculum area

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.

Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.

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.