Teaching Assistant

This is a Term Time, Permanent position for 32.5 hours a week.

The Integrated Sensory and Physical Service (IPaSS) is based at 125 Wingfield Road, Hull. However, this post will be based in educational settings across the city. IPaSS offers support to children and young people with vision and hearing impairments and physical difficulties in a range of settings across the city. We are currently seeking to recruit an experienced and enthusiastic Level 4 Teaching Assistant to join the service, supporting learners with hearing impairments to access education and make progress in the area of communication.

The role is based within educational settings and the successful candidate should be prepared to work in different nurseries, schools or colleges, supporting a range of students, dependent on service needs. This post is Monday to Friday and work hours are 8:30 - 3:30 each day, with a 30 minute break for lunch. It is not possible to work from home or to have flexible hours due to the nature of the work.

You will be expected to work with the educational setting staff to support access to the curriculum by:

• Supporting hearing impaired children or young people 1:1 throughout the school day
• Producing high quality resources in the appropriate format
• Maintaining effective communication with class and subject teachers to ensure resources are appropriate and useful
• Providing direct classroom support where needed to ensure access to the curriculum and safety
• Following directions from the Qualified Teachers of the Deaf (QToD) and Language Unit staff to provide 1:1 teaching of specialist skills
• Building strong relationships with the learner to provide emotional support and develop resilience
• Supporting learners in settings ranging from pre-school to sixth-form and fostering independence
• Delivering Speech and Language intervention and support

In return, we offer:

• Access to nationally recognised training and qualifications
• Support from a highly skilled team
• A rewarding and interesting career

Skills and qualifications:

• Maths and English GCSE at Grade C / 4 or above or equivalent (essential)
• Ability to move efficiently between locations across the city
• SEND or HLTA qualification (desirable)
• Qualified in BSL OR willingness to undertake BSL training and other specialist training
• Strong communication and time management skills
• Ability to work at pace and under pressure
• Ability to implement, monitor and review schemes of work
• Ability to support children and young people with transition between phases and/or schools
• Ability to help organise, manage and adapt educational resources in the learning environment

ROLE AND PURPOSE

To work under the instruction and guidance of teachers and specialist staff, under an agreed system of supervision, to plan, prepare, and deliver learning activities for individuals and small groups. To monitor children and young people (CYP), record and report upon pupil achievements/progress in and out of the classroom. To apply specialist knowledge relating to hearing impairments to support pupil achievement, progress and independence.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Support for Children and Young People

• To promote and safeguard the welfare of children, young people and/or vulnerable adults.
• Provide skilled support to CYP with hearing impairment to enable them to access and participate in the curriculum, wider school community and activities.
• Use specialist skills/ training/ knowledge / experience relating to hearing impairment to support pupil’s learning and independence.
• Promote the inclusion, engagement and participation of all CYP within educational environments.
• Establish constructive relationships with CYP setting challenging and demanding expectations promoting self-esteem.
• Use ICT effectively to support/ record learning, developing CYP competence / independence in its use.
• Plan, deliver and monitor small group interventions, including both learners with/ without hearing impairments.

Support for Teachers and support staff (both IPaSS and school staff)

• Support teachers with the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of support/ learning plans and learning activities selecting appropriate resources, adjusting activities according to pupil responses, marking work and accurately recording progress and achievement.
• Provide objective and accurate feedback/ records to the teacher as required, on pupil progress and other matters ensuring the availability of appropriate evidence.
• Be responsible for keeping and updating records as agreed with the teacher, contributing to reviews of systems/ records as requested.
• Work with teachers to establish appropriate learning environments, taking into account CYPs needs, backgrounds and interests.
• Under the guidance of Teachers and specialist staff use / maintain specialist aids/ resources/ equipment to address hearing impairments.
• Under the guidance of specialist teachers provide advice and support to school based staff, modelling appropriate strategies to promote pupil engagement and achievement.
• Provide advice and support to mainstream non-specialist staff regarding the use of/ maintenance of resources and equipment to address hearing impairments.
• Administer and assess using routine tests and invigilate exams/ tests.
• Use ICT effectively to support/ record learning and develop CYPs competence and independence in its use.

Support for the service

• Comply with policies and procedures including those relating to safeguarding, data protection and confidentiality, health and safety reporting concerns to an appropriate person.
• Attend and participate in meetings/ training as required.
• Supervise CYP on visits, trips, and out of school activities/ provide support in homes as required.
• Participate in discussions with parents / carers under the direction of the teacher.
• Deliver specialist training such as deaf awareness to non-specialist staff in schools/ early year’s settings/ post 16 providers.

The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.