Specialist Teacher

Appointment of a Specialist Teacher 1x permanent, full-time position.

Guide for Applicants Closing Date: Completed Application Forms must be received by 4.00pm on Tuesday 6th May 2025.

Applications are invited for the appointment of a Specialist Teacher for Middletown Centre for Autism.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF THIS POST

• Excellent CPD and possible career development/ advancement opportunities in the future.
• Involvement in producing diverse training programmes for Parents, Staff and Professionals.
• Inclusion and access to peer reviewed journal articles.

CONTENTS OF THE PACK

Prior to completing the application form applicants should familiarise themselves with the contents of the information pack. The pack includes:

• Section 1 Job Description
• Section 2 Personnel Specification
• Section 3 Terms & Conditions of Appointment

RETURN OF APPLICATION FORMS

Completed application and monitoring forms must be made online, postal applications must be returned to the HR Department, Middletown Centre for Autism, 35 Church Street, Middletown, Co. Armagh, BT60 4HZ. Alternatively, application forms may be e-mailed; details can be found by clicking Apply below by Tuesday 6th May 2025. It is the responsibility of candidates to follow-up e-mailed application forms by telephone to ensure that they have been received at the Centre. Where applications are submitted online applicants, if shortlisted, will be required to sign their application form when attending for interview.

NOTE TO CANDIDATES

Candidates with a disability who require assistance will be facilitated upon request. Candidates who wish to receive application forms and information packs in accessible formats are requested to advise Middletown Centre of their requirements as promptly as possible allowing for the fact that the closing date for receipt remains the same for all applicants as noted above.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Reporting to: The Head of Assessment and Learning Support

Location: Middletown Centre for Autism

Job Purpose: As an integral member of the Trans-disciplinary Learning Support and Assessment team for children and young people with autism, the post holder will assist in organising, delivering and ensuring an equitable and competent service to children and young people referred to the service. The post holder is responsible for assessment and contribution to recommendations in accordance with professional standards as well as maintaining a high level of knowledge of pedagogic techniques for autistic children and young people. The post holder will be expected to work with children and young people in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland and to deliver training to parents and professionals in both jurisdictions. A key role following assessment will be in enabling parents and professionals to deliver recommendations for educational goals through the child or young persons Learning Support Plan.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Provide specialist advice to assist the team in carrying out their assessments.
• Deliver educational assessments to children and young people.
• Plan and make recommendations for individual curriculum-based goals to be incorporated into a child or young persons learning support plan.
• Assist and advise staff in the Learning Support and Assessment Team in matters relating to teaching children and young people referred to the Centre.
• Liaise and work co-operatively with a wide range of agencies on outcome options and academic aims relating to children and young people referred to the Learning Support and Assessment Service.
• Provide practical and academic advice to help ensure that the highest standard of assessment and education is provided for children and young people referred to the Centre.
• Provide training and support to parents, carers and professional staff on pedagogic approaches needed with individual children and young people.
• Ensure educational recommendations are evaluated and reviewed.

Training

• Train parents and professionals in autism specific supports within an educational context.
• Provide training in autism specific topics and methodologies to parents throughout the island of Ireland.
• Provide training in autism specific topics and methodologies to professionals throughout the island of Ireland.

Professional and Organisational Skills

• Work co-jointly with staff from the Learning Support and Assessment team and the Research and Development Service to provide pertinent information relevant to ongoing research at the Centre.
• Promote and participate in continuing professional development with members of the Learning Support and Assessment team and the Research and Development team.
• Maintain accurate and up to date records consistent with organisational and professional requirements.

Trans-disciplinary Work

• Support the work of colleagues in incorporating educational recommendations into the delivery of Learning Support Plans for children and young people who are referred to the Learning Support and Assessment Service.
• Co-ordinate a team approach in relation to the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of learning support programmes for children with autism in their school setting, at home and in the community.

Communication

• Assist in the interpretation and delivery of the results of the specialist assessment and resulting educational recommendations for parents and professionals.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, tailoring content to the target audience.

General Principles

The post holder shall, at all times, uphold and comply with the Centres policy on the Protection of Children and Young People in an Educational Setting. The post holder shall, at all times, uphold and comply with the Centres Equal Opportunities Policy.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Essential criteria: Applicants must be able to demonstrate on their application form how they meet each element of following essential criteria by the closing date:

• A relevant teaching qualification or third level equivalent qualification recognised by the General Teaching Council (NI); or the Teaching Council (ROI) with full teaching registration.
• Have a minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience in the assessment or teaching of children and young people with Special Educational Needs, to include working with autistic children and young people.
• A proven track record in continuing your professional development (through appropriate courses of study) and attaining high level of skills in relation to autistic children and young people.
• A current full driving licence and access to a vehicle or access to a form of transport which will allow the post holder to fully satisfy the travel requirements of the post.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT

• Salary: This post is being offered at points 36 - 39 of the NJC Salary Scale, currently £45,718 - £48,710 per annum.
• Contracted Hours: Full-time - 37 hours per week.
• Location: Middletown Centre for Autism, post holder will be required to travel throughout Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland as required.
• Post Status: Permanent.
• Annual Leave: 25 days per annum, rising to 31 days after 5 years continuous service, plus public and privilege holidays.
• Pension: Middletown Centre for Autism is a member of NILGOSC pension scheme.
• Probationary Period: The post holder will normally be required to serve a 6-month probationary period.