SEN Team Leader and Designated Safeguarding Person - CS12112 in Royal Leamington Spa

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS (THE CHILDREN’S ACT 1989)

Any offers of appointment will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, a certificate of good conduct if applicable, plus receipt of satisfactory references, Occupational Health clearance, an understanding of safeguarding and qualifications verification. An Enhanced DBS check is required for this position as you will be working within 'Regulated Activity' within a specific place (i.e. the College). This role is classed as working within Regulated Activity. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. By applying for this position, you agree to an Enhanced DBS check in line with DBS regulations.

BACKGROUND TO THE POST

The main purposes of the SEN Team Leader is to manage and coordinate the daily activities of Learning Mentors on a designated College site; assist with the development of our support provision for students with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities and to support identified students with their learning both in and outside of the classroom. This will include the oversight of a cohort of EHCP learners as well as Non EHCP learners with identified inclusion needs. The role will include communicating with various external agencies as well as internal staff. There will be elements of staff supervision and record keeping relating to student progress, retention and achievement. The role will also involve the mentoring of students outside the classroom/workshop. The post holder will also be the Designated Safeguarding person for the specific College.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To manage the team of Learning Mentors (LMs) at each centre and support the Head of Inclusion and Learning Support with recruitment & selection, probation review and performance reviews.
• To communicate students’ educational needs to the relevant lecturers and Personal Learning Advisers (PLAs) and ensure the information is available on the eILP and ‘at risk’ registers.
• To support the College admissions team with interview evenings, open events etc. to provide information for prospective students and their parents.
• To liaise regularly with the Head of Inclusion and Learning Support and the Specialist Tutors on all support issues for current and potential students.
• To assist with transitional reviews and centre tours with potential students.
• To mentor students outside the classroom/workshop by holding one-to-one mentoring sessions as instructed by the Head of Inclusion and Learning Support and/or the Specialist Tutors.
• To ensure the learning support given to each student meets the educational requirements listed in the EHCPs.
• To complete all statutory processes associated with EHCPs - consultations, reviews, needs assessments and funding.
• To attend and contribute to student annual EHCP reviews, where required.
• To hold regular team meetings with the centre-based team of learning mentors.
• The post-holder will be expected to specialise in one area of learning difficulty/disability (LDD).
• As part of this role, the post-holder will help raise awareness and knowledge in this field, providing a high quality support and advice service to staff and students.
• The post-holder will also be expected to contribute to the training of LMs on local and national initiatives which support inclusive education.
• To develop support groups for students with similar learning disabilities or difficulties; to offer lunchtime clubs and set up quiet areas for students.
• To attend college delivered ‘Teaching Essentials’ training.
• In order to support during busy exam periods, you may be asked to undertake exam invigilator duties. The College will provide training.
• The list of duties is not exhaustive but outlines the main features of the post at appointment and may vary as the job evolves without affecting the nature of the duties or the responsibility level.

OFFERS OF WORK

For the successful candidate a conditional offer of work will be made. Our offer of work will be conditional upon a number of mandatory pre-employment checks, to include but not limited to: DBS, Barred List check, right to work check, internet search, TRA check (academic posts).

ESSENTIAL ATTAINMENTS

• GCSE Grade C or above in English and Mathematics, or Level 2 equivalent qualification.
• An appropriate professional qualification at Level 3.
• Working knowledge of information technology such as e-mail, the internet and other software applications.
• Excellent administrative and organisational skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Previous experience of supporting students in an educational environment.
• An awareness of the needs of students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.
• Experience of supervising.
• Engage in Team Teach Training.

DESIRABLE ATTAINMENTS

• A qualification relevant to SpLD.
• Relevant Vocational background.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• The ability to effectively manage students with behaviours for concern.
• Commitment to a high level of student achievement and to continuous quality improvement.
• Awareness of health and safety procedures or willingness to undertake training.
• Flexible and very responsive in approach to teaching styles and methods.
• Be able to respond effectively to the student’s individual needs.
• A UK driving licence free of major endorsements and the use of a motor vehicle.