Language and Communication Intervention Officer - Local Impact Teams in Omagh

REPORTS TO: Local Impact Team Manager/ Area Manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR: In delivering this role, the Intervention Officer will provide advice to educational setting staff and parents and will support children directly in their educational setting.

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

• Children: 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. Work closely with setting practitioners and special educational needs coordinators in schools to practice effective strategies and interventions in relation to individual children; Contribute to the monitoring and review of children’s progress in line with agreed protocols; Support the transition of referred children into to their year 1 and post primary provision as required;
• Families: 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; Liaising with parents and early educational settings to promote active partnership working and to seek consistency of approaches within the home and educational settings; Encouraging and facilitating parental partnership between the Local Impact Team and the pupil’s educational setting.

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.

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.
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

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 / Experience Hold a Degree in Psychology/Social Science/Education/Speech and Language Therapy or other third level qualification which is relevant to the post Shortlisting by Application Form 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 Shortlisting by Application Form Have a working knowledge of specific strategies and methods suitable for working with pupils with language and communication SEN Shortlisting by Application Form 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 and thus meet this essential criterion; OR be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion.

Section 2 - Essential Criteria

The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model.

• 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. Candidates should demonstrate extensive knowledge of specific strategies and methods suitable for working with children with Language and Communication/DLD SEN Interview In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of: 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

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 / 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. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.

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 at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.