Classroom Assistant. Support Staff Job Information for Applicants

Transcription

1 Classroom Assistant Support Staff Job Information for Applicants Learning Support Officer August 2017

2 POST TITLE: CLASSROOM ASSISTANT ( 2 POSTS) REF NO: 01752/17 LOCATION: Springtown Centre/Greystone Centre HOURS: 21 hours per week DURATION: Until June 2018 SALARY SCALE: Band 3 16,481-17,547 per annum, pro rata CRITERIA Essential Applicants must have at least: 1 a Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools; and 2 GCSE English (Grade A*-C) or Essential Skills Level 2 (or higher) in Communication and GCSE Maths (Grade A*-C) or Essential Skills Level 2 (or higher) in Numeracy or NICATS Access Maths Modules, or any qualifications which are deemed to be equivalent; Desirable 3 one years relevant* employment experience; * relevant defined as working with young people or adults with mild, moderate or severe learning difficulties or challenging behaviour in an educational setting. FOR INFORMATION ON THE LEVEL OF QUALIFICATIONS YOU CAN ACCESS THE QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDIT FRAMEWORK WEBSITE If, as a direct result of a disability you can not fully meet the essential experience requirement of the criteria for this post the College will waive this requirement. Applicants should note that the above criteria are the minimum requirements only and may be enhanced at the discretion of the short-listing panel. Under the provision of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007 this post is deemed to be a regulated position. The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

3 COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS TO BE RETURNED NOT LATER THAN NOON ON FRIDAY 3 NOVEMBER The College is committed to equal opportunities and to selection on merit. It therefore welcomes applications from all sections of society in particular applicants from the Protestant Community. Applicants with a disability are encouraged to visit the college website at and select the link DisabledGo which provides accessibility information on College facilities.

4 Contents 1. Introduction 2. About Us 3. Why we are an Employer of Choice 4. Job Description 5. Personnel Specification 6. Competency Framework 7. Contact Information

5 1. Introduction Thank you for showing an interest in this position with the North West Regional College. It is essential that you read all documents carefully and complete the application form in conjunction with the Guidance Notes. Applicants should include on their application form all the information they wish to have considered, as information not on the application form cannot be taken into account. Attached CV s will not be considered. On behalf of the College we wish you Good Luck with your application. 2. About Us Enriching lives, building careers and supporting communities. North West Regional College (NWRC) has been at the heart of life in the North West of Northern Ireland for more than 100 years. Across the passing of time it has stood as an important institution renowned for delivering an extensive range of learning and career opportunities to thousands of learners. As an employer, North West Regional College has provided hundreds of jobs across its teaching, support and technical areas. As a supporter of the local economy, it has nurtured local enterprise through expert training and skills development. As a community partner, it has crossed the divide to offer an integrated civic resource for the benefit of the entire region. Now, NWRC is delivering an invigorated brand of education and training aimed at attracting new learners, while advancing the growth and prosperity of the local economy. NWRC received an accreditation from Investors in People due to their commitment to good business and people management excellence.

6 3. Why we are an Employer of Choice Our Staff are entitled to some of the best Employee Benefits and support an employer could give making it a prime choice to further your career. Our extensive Employee Benefits scheme led to the College winning the Family Friendly Benefits Award at the UK wide VIB Business Awards. A number of these benefits include Childcare Vouchers, a Staff Counselling Service and Flexible Working options. The College is also host to our own award winning Health & Well-being Programme which runs various events throughout the year including Exercise classes, Fitness Boot camps as well as organising various routine health checks for staff. All Staff have the option of joining a workplace pension scheme where the College will make an additional contribution to your pension each month on top of your individual contribution. We recognise that sometimes life can bring unexpected changes both fortunate and unfortunate, which is why we offer staff occupational sick leave and pay, maternity and paternity leave and pay and even special leave for other life events such as the birth of a grandchild or your wedding day. We believe in making sure the skills of our staff continue to grow and thrive during their time with the College and as such we have developed the NWRC Academy of Excellence. The Academy offers staff the opportunity to undertake accredited staff development. Staff will also receive a discount should they wish to enrol on relevant College courses. Other benefits include:- State of the Art Gym - Salary Sacrifice Scheme - Benenden Healthcare - Bank at Work - Cycle to Work Scheme - Insurance Discount

7 4. Job Description JOB TITLE: RESPONSIBLE TO: REPORTING TO: LOCATION: Classroom Assistant Principal & Chief Executive Deputy Head of Department Training and Skills The successful applicant may be required to work in any of the College s buildings, as necessary. The main base will be Springtown Campus or Greystone Campus PURPOSE OF THE JOB: The postholder will support teaching and learning by providing support to students with learning difficulties, disabilities and challenging behaviour studying on TFS courses. The Postholder will: 1 make necessary reasonable adjustments to ensure support is delivered in an accessible manner; 2 work closely with lecturing staff and technicians to prepare resources and materials, including producing material in alternative formats; 3 assist students in accessing specialist equipment to support their learning; 4 assist students in the organisation and management of tasks in the classroom; 5 work with students to identify and help overcome specific difficulties; 6 support tutors with daily classroom activities; 7 supervise students during break and lunchtime and ensure all dietary requirements are met; 8 ensure that students receive appropriate levels of supervision and attention; 9 advise students on personal hygiene issues; 10 assist students with hygiene related care; 11 supervise students while waiting on transport; 12 accompany students to the canteen and to other College Campuses; 13 provide supervision at break and lunchtime to ensure the safety of students; 14 provide support to students going on outings and school trips; 15 update and maintain student personal files when required; 16 make and respond to telephone enquiries as required; 17 update lecturers with relevant information regarding students; 18 providing reports, written and oral, as required including those for internal quality assurance arrangements; 19 ensure that all documentation and authorisation procedures are adhered to; 20 assist students in accessing campus facilities; Job Description

8 21 provide general assistance throughout campuses including opening doors and carrying bags; 22 make any necessary reasonable adjustments to ensure support is delivered in an accessible manner; 23 assist with the promotion of all TFS and APPN, Youth Training Programme activities through outreach events such as information sessions, open days, orientation days etc; 24 promote effective communication in connection with the support to students and staff; 25 work closely with the Course Coordinators and Support Staff; 26 communicate with internal and external stakeholders as appropriate; 27 liaise with parents/carers/guardians when directed to do so by the Principle and Chief Executive; 28 comply with and actively promote College policies and procedures on all aspects of equality; 29 ensure full compliance with Health and Safety requirements and legislation in accordance with College policies and procedures; 30 ensure full compliance with the College s quality assurance systems and procedures in accordance with College policies and procedures; 31 undertake any other duties as required by the College s Principal and Chief Executive or persons carrying his delegated authority. The list of duties is not exhaustive. The postholder will be expected to undertake other relevant duties in order to meet any changing operational requirements. Job Description

9 TERMS AND CONDITIONS Job Des Terms and conditions of employment are those as laid down by the Non-Teaching Negotiating Committee for Further Education in Northern Ireland and will include locally agreed terms and conditions. Salary Scale Band 3 Scale Column Point 14, 16,481 to Point 17, 17,547 per annum, pro rata Hours of Work The hours of work will not normally be less than 21 per week. The hours of duty which may be on any of the College sites will be such as laid down to meet the needs of the College and may include periods of duty after, as well as before 5.00 pm on any Monday to Friday. Annual Leave Entitlement Entitlement to annual leave is 21 days in a full holiday year in addition to 12 public and extra statutory holidays. Entitlement to leave in the first year of employment is pro-rata to the number of months completed. Pension Scheme There is an Occupational Pension Scheme relating to employment with the College. Further details will be provided on appointment. Other Employment No other employment should be entered into during the period of employment with the North West Regional College. No employment by or in the service of another person or body should be undertaken except with express approval of the Principal and Chief Executive. Job Description

10 POLICIES All staff have an obligation to comply with the statutory duties relating to Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and will be required to contribute to the implementation of the College s Equality Scheme drawn up in accordance with this legislation. The North West Regional College as a public authority is committed to the promotion of Equality of Opportunity in accordance with the Northern Ireland Act 1998 Section 75. The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Under the provision of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007 this post is deemed to be a regulated position. The College operates a Childcare Voucher Scheme for staff as part of its family friendly initiatives which are aimed at promoting a healthy work/life balance. The College operates a smokefree workplace policy for all locations. This policy prohibits smoking in all areas of all. This document can be made available in a range of formats, please contact HR Services with your requirements. Job Description

11 5. Personnel Specification Each aspect of the criteria indicated below should be addressed in full on your application form at Part A. Your application will be shortlisted solely on the basis of the information provided by you in this section of the form. Knowledge and competencies will be assessed at interview. CRITERIA Essential: Applicants must have at least: 1 a Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools; and 2 GCSE English (Grade A*-C) or Essential Skills Level 2 (or higher) in Communication and GCSE Maths (Grade A*-C) or Essential Skills Level 2 (or higher) in Numeracy or NICATS Access Maths Modules, or any qualifications which are deemed to be equivalent; Desirable 3 one years relevant* employment experience; *relevant defined as working with young people or adults with mild, moderate or severe learning difficulties or challenging behaviour in an educational setting. If, as a direct result of a disability, you can not fully meet the essential experience requirement of the criteria for this post the College will waive this requirement. KNOWLEDGE Essential Disability Legislation/Reasonable Adjustments Barriers to Education COMPETENCIES Essential Changing and Improving Collaborating and Partnering Personnel Specification In addition to assessing the applicant s ability to perform the duties of the post the interview will explore issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants should note that the above criteria are the minimum requirements only and may be enhanced at the discretion of the short-listing panel.

12 6. Competency Framework The interview will assess the competencies which are listed in the Personnel Specification. This Competency Framework should be read in conjunction with the Personnel Specification for this post. Details of these competencies are provided overleaf. Delivering Results Setting Direction College Values College Values Engaging People Competency Framework

13 CHANGING AND IMPROVING People who are effective in this area take initiative, are innovative and seek out opportunities to create effective change. For staff, it s about learning from what has worked as well as what has not, being open to change and improvement and worker in smarter, more focused ways. For leaders this is about creating and encouraging a culture of innovation and allowing people to consider and take informed decisions. Doing this well means continuously seeking out ways to improve policy implementation and build a leaner, more flexible and responsive College. Effective Behaviour People who are effective are likely to Review working practices and come up with ideas to improve the way things are done Learn new procedures, seek to exploit new technologies and help colleagues to do the same Co-operate with and be open to the possibilities of change and consider ways to implement and adapt to change in own work role Be constructive in raising issues with managers about implemented changes and the impact these are having on the service Ineffective Behaviour People who are less effective are likely to Remain attached to outdated procedures and technologies Adopt new processes without reporting difficulties that occur Unwilling to consider how change could help in own role Be resistant to listening to ideas or plans for change, showing little interest in the reasons for change and how they can adapt their behaviour to thrive in the new environment Competency Framework Respond effectively to emergencies Resistant to sudden changes to usual work routine

14 COLLABORATING AND PARTNERING People skilled in this area are team players. At all levels, it requires working collaboratively, sharing information appropriately and building supportive, trusting and professional relationships with colleagues and a wide range of people inside and outside the College, whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions. For leaders, it s about being approachable, delivering department objectives through creating an inclusive environment, welcoming challenge however uncomfortable. Effective Behaviour People who are effective are likely to Ineffective Behaviour People who are less effective are likely to Proactively contribute to the work of the whole team Get to know fellow team members/colleagues and understand their viewpoints and preferences Seek help when needed in order to complete own work effectively Be open to taking on different roles Try to see issues from others perspectives and check understanding Focus on own objectives at the expense of supporting colleagues Is overly critical and blaming of people who have different working styles or development needs Miss opportunities to generate better outcomes for the customer through collaboration with others Assume specific, unvarying role responsibilities Look at issues from own viewpoint only Competency Framework Listen to the views of others and show sensitivity towards others Not treat all colleagues fairly, equitably or with respect

15 7. Need some help or guidance? Contact HR Services By Telephone: (028) By By Textphone: (028) The College welcomes calls via Text Relay Making a call from a textphone: Dial number Dial for emergency calls Making a call from a telephone: Dial number Our opening hours are: Monday - Thursday 8:30am to 5:00pm Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm