Tutor - Specialist Visual Impairment (QTVI) in Cheltenham

National Star has an exciting opportunity for a Qualified Teacher - Qualified Teacher Vision Impairment or a Qualified Teacher with SEN experience willing to work towards and gain QTVI status. We can offer this role on a full time or part time basis or for a fully qualified experienced QTVI Teacher on a short term contract to see us through the recruitment period.

National Star is a national charity that works predominantly with 16–25-year-olds with a wide range of complex disabilities. At our core is the delivery of several specialist educational programmes ranging from broad life-skills to employment skills. These programmes are a mix of residential & day provision that are delivered currently across our locations in Ullenwood (nr Cheltenham), central Cheltenham, Gloucester, Hereford, Malvern and in Mamhilad, South Wales.

You will work with our multidisciplinary teams, supporting parents, carers and other stakeholders in the delivery of high-quality intervention and implementation of structured learning activities. You will be responsible to the Curriculum Manager for Specialist Input and Heads of Learning and Support. You will carry out the professional responsibilities of a qualified teacher for learners with vision impairments (QTVI) across all provisions at National Star.

Responsibilities will include (please note this list is not exhaustive):

• To lead on assessments of need (functional vision assessments, specialist assessments etc.) and ensure functional assessments and sensory recommendations/advice/profile are up to date and present for students with VI.
• To work effectively as part of an MDT carrying out joint assessments as and when appropriate.
• To lead on identifying and quantifying recommended QTVI input, in the assessment process, during a student’s programme at National Star.
• To deliver effective teaching for learners with vision impairments.
• To provide direct teaching in specialist skills if appropriate, e.g. Braille, ICT, tactile skills, visual skills programmes, independence skills, social and emotional development, and promote the effective use of specific alternative means of communication for students with vision impairments, e.g. Braille, Moon, tactile signing etc.
• To embed RARPA principles and demonstrate best practice through own delivery, contribute to progress reports and attend EHCP Reviews where appropriate.
• To contribute to professional learning and development in relation to vision impairment for colleagues across National Star.
• To keep abreast of new resources and approaches to supporting National Star for students with vision impairments so they can be used to inform best practice across all multidisciplinary teams.
• To effectively monitor, manage and advise National Star on appropriate resources. Identifying any additional equipment needed as required, both on an individual student and organisation basis.
• To support the MDT to embed areas from specialist sensory impairment curriculums across the college programme as appropriate to individual students with VI.
• To lead on maintaining links and work jointly with external vision impairment specialists and partners to meet the needs of learners with vision impairments and raise the profile of sensory impairment provision at National Star.
• To support with maintaining links with external MSI/HI specialists and partners to meet the needs of learners with Multi-Sensory Impairments.
• To promote good eye health and access to eye care for our students with VI and their families.
• To ensure that views of students with vision impairments and their parents/carers inform planning and provision.
• To take the lead on providing transition reports to highlight ongoing needs, provision and signpost learners and their families/carers to VI support.

This is a fantastic opportunity that offers growth to a current qualified teacher seeking to gain specialist QTVI status if not already held. Typical hours are between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday, term time only.