At a Glance
- Tasks: Support ethnic minority pupils and families in educational settings.
- Company: Education Authority focused on inclusivity and support.
- Benefits: Full-time role with competitive salary and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people.
- Qualifications: Relevant degree or extensive experience in education, social work, or youth work.
The predicted salary is between 39862 - 42839 £ per year.
Primary Location: Antrim-Belfast-Belfast Office
Other Locations: Antrim-Belfast-Blythefield Primary School, Fermanagh-Enniskillen-Education Welfare Service Enniskillen Office, Tyrone-Dungannon-Dungannon Teachers' Centre, Tyrone-Omagh-Omagh Office
Contract Type: Fixed-Term (May be subject to extension or reduced for any valid reason)
Duration of Contract/Contract End Date: See additional information
Status: Full-Time
Hours per Week: 36
Working Pattern: Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm
Grade/Scale: Administrative Officer | NJC pts 29 - 32 | £39,862 - £42,839 per annum
Allowance(s): Not Applicable
Anticipated Interview Date(s): TBC
Additional Information: Base location to be agreed on appointment.
- Post One: South West Region including Omagh and Enniskillen but this can be reached from Dungannon: Fixed-term post until 31 December 2026
- Post Two: North East Region but this can be reached from Belfast: Fixed-term post until 31 August 2027
REPORTS TO: Head of Intercultural Education Service
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Helping the Education Authority meet its statutory responsibility in supporting pupils from ethnic minority communities, including Asylum Seekers and Refugees, to help meet the increased demand from schools and families to educate and include these children and young people.
JOB PURPOSE: This regional post is required to help the Education Authority meet its statutory responsibility in supporting pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds and to help meet the increased demand from schools for EA services to help enroll and educate these children and young people.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- To help design and deliver additional educational support programmes for minority ethnic pupils, particularly those who are newly arrived and/or in need of additional educational needs support, such as Asylum Seekers, Refugees, Roma and Travellers.
- To encourage schools to help the wider family support their children’s education through home visits; home-school liaison work and agreed transitionary arrangements.
- To promote effective communication, information sharing, cooperative learning and clustering within and across schools and/or youth organisations.
- To assist schools and/or youth organisations in identifying culturally appropriate curriculum and other learning resources.
- To establish and maintain good working relationships with other EA services.
- To monitor and record ASR support activities and to provide reports to the Director of Education, EA Committees and the Department of Education.
- To work in close co-operation with Health and Education colleagues to provide an effective educational support service for BME young children and their parents.
- To provide advice and support to the relevant authorities including Voluntary Committees, Boards of Governors, Principals and teachers.
- To contribute to the development and production of relevant and suitable school-based or youth work focused personal development, learning support and educational materials.
- To assist IES in the promotion of its policies and programmes in supporting schools to improve the educational provision for BME children.
Management and Supervision:
- To assist with IES ‘service-wide’ outcomes-based accountability workload.
- To ensure that any additional staff assigned are trained in all procedures and practice within the IES team.
Other Duties:
- Participation in wider EA staff training as and when required.
- Such other duties as may be required to help the EA fulfil its statutory obligation.
This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible.
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:
Essential Criteria:
- Hold a relevant bachelor’s degree or an equivalent or higher qualification in teaching, social work or youth work and have three years’ demonstrable experience planning and reviewing children and young people’s support planning in early years, teaching, social work or other relevant education settings; OR have five years’ demonstrable experience planning and reviewing children and young people’s support planning in early years, teaching, social work or other relevant education settings.
- Demonstrable experience of teaching, youth work or social work support at pre-school, primary or post-primary levels for children and young people with additional educational needs from minority ethnic communities.
- Demonstrable experience of collecting and reporting on educational data such as attendance and attainment.
- Demonstrable experience of innovation and creativity in the approach to delivering pupil and family support services.
- Demonstrable experience of high-level communication skills.
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of educational and welfare support provision for pupils with additional educational needs.
- Knowledge of personal data security, family support referrals, confidentiality and other child protection requirements.
Other:
- The successful candidate will be required to have access to a suitable vehicle.
Desirable Criteria:
- Demonstrable experience of Asylum Seeker and Refugee support for children and families.
- Demonstrable experience in recording and reporting on pupil support data.
Our Values: Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA.
DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND: The Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background.
Support Officer - Intercultural Education Service (IES) - 2 Posts in Enniskillen employer: National Instruments
The Education Authority is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. With a strong focus on professional development, staff are encouraged to grow their skills while making a meaningful impact in the lives of children from diverse backgrounds. Located in Northern Ireland, the role offers the unique opportunity to engage with various communities, ensuring that every child receives the educational support they need to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Officer - Intercultural Education Service (IES) - 2 Posts in Enniskillen
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the education sector, especially those involved with intercultural services. Attend local events or workshops where you can meet potential colleagues and share your passion for supporting minority ethnic communities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the Education Authority's current initiatives. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also in how you can contribute to their mission of supporting pupils from diverse backgrounds.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since this role involves liaising with schools, families, and various stakeholders, being able to articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently is key. Consider mock interviews with friends or mentors.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Support Officer - Intercultural Education Service (IES) - 2 Posts in Enniskillen
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Experience:When filling out your application, make sure to highlight your relevant experience. We want to see how you've worked with children and young people from diverse backgrounds, especially those who are asylum seekers or refugees.
Be Specific About Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; give us examples of how you've used them in real situations. Whether it's problem-solving or communication, we love to see concrete evidence of your abilities in action.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure your application speaks directly to the job description. Use the same language and keywords that we’ve included, so it’s clear you understand what we’re looking for.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Instruments
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Support Officer in the Intercultural Education Service. Familiarise yourself with the needs of minority ethnic communities, especially Asylum Seekers and Refugees. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your relevant experience in teaching, social work, or youth work. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've supported children and young people with additional educational needs. Highlight any innovative approaches you've taken to engage families and schools.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since this role involves working with various stakeholders, practice your communication skills. Think about how you can convey complex ideas simply and clearly. Be prepared for role-play scenarios where you might need to demonstrate conflict resolution or negotiation skills.
✨Align with Their Values
Research the Education Authority's values and think about how your personal values align with theirs. Be ready to discuss how your approach to work reflects their commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. This will show that you're not just a good fit for the role, but also for the organisation.