Specialist Support Assistant in Maidenhead

JOB TITLE: Specialist Support Assistant

RESPONSIBLE TO: Higher Level Teaching Assistant

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:

To work with the classroom teacher to support students’ effective independent learning and

progress in accordance with the national curriculum and with behaviour management

strategies. To prepare resources and the classroom for planned activities. To provide

support for all students’ learning and care needs (intimate care when appropriate) and

having due regard to the health, safety and wellbeing of students and colleagues.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Learning and development activities:

To co- facilitate weekly student counselling groups with an experienced counsellor.

To work 1-1 therapeutically with identified students in areas such as self-esteem, body image, healthy relationships.

To co-facilitate staff training in mental health issues such as self-harm, body dysphoria and anxiety.

To gain experience in writing CAMHS referrals, risk assessments and Boxall profiles.Within the role you will work closely with students who have experienced trauma, attachment disorder or neglect. Learn strategies to encourage with school refusers with ASD, anxiety back into school.

To gain a deeper understanding of challenging and complex conditions such as self

harm, gender Identity, eating disorders, ADHD anxiety and depression

To provide support for learning activities across all areas of the national curriculum

and to provide feedback to the teacher on student progress with objectives and tasks

To assist with the timely preparation of resources, activities and the teaching

environment ensuring student safety. This may include preparing materials to meet

individual student needs

To clear up after activities ensuring displays are kept safe and tidy

To assist in the development of Individual Education Plans using the ACE model and

to help students advance towards their targets and to provide feedback on progress

To support students to review their own learning wherever possible

To assist in implementing and reviewing agreed programmes of work and highlight

any concerns to the classroom teacher

Behaviour, therapy and play:

To implement agreed behaviour management strategies to promote positive

behaviour

To support therapists and students before, during and following therapy sessions and

to assist with therapies as required

To provide opportunities for students to experience a variety of play environments

that stimulate them and provide opportunities for risk, challenge and personal growth

To support students to participate as inclusively as possible in all activities

To help students manage their own feelings and relationships with others

Care and safety:

To provide support to students’ general welfare, including feeding, toileting and

changing their clothes as instructed to ensure they are clean, tidy and comfortable

To be familiar with students’ care plans and provide care, encouragement and

To assist with monitoring of physical wellbeing including students’ eating habits to

support the development of students’ independence.

To support students’ emotional wellbeing, self -reliance self-esteem and resilience

To assist in intimate care as required

To assist in the administration of medication to students as required and in

accordance with their Care Plan and legal guidelines

To organise and supervise offsite activities and maintain health and safety of

students when outside the school setting

To assist in the supervision of students during break and lunchtimes and in

the use of

Communication:

To provide support to communication and interaction needs including facilitating

communication for students who use augmentative or alternative means of

communication such as Makaton, VOCA

To support students and their families for whom English is an additional language

(EAL)

To establish and maintain effective communication with parents, carers and families

about the care and education of their children through communication books review

meetings and phone calls

Assist in the assessment, monitoring and recording of student progress and

behaviour and the maintenance of record keeping systems

To provide occasional supervision of a group or class for time limited activities or in

To provide cover for colleagues including in unfamiliar classes

To work flexibly as part of the classroom team and to take part in the support and

induction of new staff as well as the annual performance management scheme

Please note

This work sometimes involves sitting at low tables or on the floor and may involve restraint of

students for which training is available. The work is in a hectic and noisy environment with

constant interruptions from children.

Working with Special Education Needs students requires a particular understanding and

appreciation of the individual needs such as physical limitations, learning, emotional,

behavioural and language difficulties or problems with organisation. The behaviour of such

children is often extremely challenging and is therefore emotionally and physically

demanding. In some cases the nature of the students’ special needs may result in staff being

verbally or physically assaulted.

This is not an exclusive or exhaustive range of responsibilities, rather an indicative list. You

may be required to carry out further duties as reasonably required and commensurate with

the position.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Key Criteria

Essential Desirable

Qualifications and

training

Skills and experience

An understanding of the

educational objectives of the

An understanding of how

Ability to support learning across

all areas of the curriculum

Ability to lead and direct the

work of others

Experience of working in a

challenging environment

Excellent planning and

Experience of accurate record

keeping

including written skills and the

ability to communicate

sympathetically with children

and parents

Experience of working within a

health and social care setting

(paid or voluntary)

Experience of a SEN learning

An understanding of care

plans and their use

Experience of group/class

supervision

Experience of monitoring and

recording individual progress

Alternative communication

skills such as Makaton, VOCA

Core Competencies Student Led

Passionate about supporting

young people with a disability in

a dignified and person centred

way

Results Orientation

Displays drive and energy and

and achieve results

Works systematically and plans

effectively

Delivers on objectives

Committed to continuous

Working Together

Contributes to effective

teamwork

Understands and supports

others

Values people equally and

encourages inclusive

Willing to work in line with all

MGS policies and procedures

and attend all supervisions

Aligns behaviour to the needs /

priorities / goals of students and

the school as a whole

Deals and copes with change

Works well in a challenging

Copes with ambiguity

Remains calm and professional

at all times

Is self-aware and able to

undertake self-evaluation

Able to attend class from 8.45am daily during term time and undertake occasional out of hours activities as required.

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