EDUCATION AUTHORITY BELFAST. These are fixed term posts available until 31 March 2018 and are subject to extension or review.

Transcription

1 HQ17/10/06 EDUCATION AUTHORITY BELFAST These are fixed term posts available until 31 March 2018 and are subject to extension or review. These fixed term posts are advertised by the Education Authority (EA), Belfast on behalf of all regions. The posts may be based in any EA office and the successful applicants may be required to work across regions. POST: LOCATION: REQUIREMENTS: Psychology Assistant (initially 6 posts available) The base will be determined on appointment Educational Psychology Service Children and Young People s Services Directorate Education Authority Belfast Office Academy Street BELFAST BT1 2NQ Essential Applicants must at the closing date hold an honours degree in psychology (2:1 or above). Applicants must also have a minimum of six months experience of working with children in an education, youth or health and social services setting. The panel reserves the right to enhance these criteria. Desirable It is desirable that applicants at the closing date have: (i) previous experience of working with children with special educational needs; and/or (ii) paid employment working with children with special educational needs. Applicants should preferably have access to a car. A motor mileage allowance is payable in respect of authorised journeys undertaken in carrying out the duties of the post. DUTIES: HOURS: As attached 36 per week SALARY: 17,891-22,434

2 Posts involving work in educational institutions are subject to the provisions of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order The successful applicant will require an enhanced disclosure check which at present costs 33. Further details regarding the payment of this check will be issued with the contract of employment. The closing date for receipt of applications is 2PM ON FRIDAY 24 MARCH Please note EA, Belfast Office Headquarters will be closed on Friday 17 March NB Notes of guidance are attached.

3 EDUCATION AUTHORITY BELFAST JOB DESCRIPTION DEPARTMENT: POST TITLE: RESPONSIBLE TO: Children and Young People s Services Directorate/Educational Psychology Service Psychology Assistant Designated line management within Educational Psychology Service JOB PURPOSE The psychologist assistant will contribute to the Education Authorities responsibilities for children with special educational needs. They will be expected to contribute to the provision and development of an effective and high quality Educational Psychology Service in the Education Authority. The psychology assistant will be expected to provide an educational psychology service under the supervision of a senior educational psychologist, relating to assessment and intervention for children who may have special educational needs. Such duties may include carrying out observations of a child s behaviour in class; supporting the implementation of agreed intervention programmes in a classroom or home based context under the direction of the Educational Psychology Service. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1 The Psychology Assistant s main duties will be to contribute positively and in a complementary way to service delivery of the Educational Psychology Service, working under the supervision of an Educational Psychologist they will assist with: i ii The assessment of children who have been referred to the Service. The communication of the results of assessments to teachers, parents and relevant others. iii The provision of advice to teachers, parents and relevant others on the educational needs of the children concerned. iv The recording of the results of the assessments and the advice given. v The implementation of agreed intervention programmes for children who may have special educational needs. vi The monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of Stage 3 and 5 interventions. 2 The Psychology Assistant will: i ii Provide a professional standard of intervention in schools, as directed by the supervising educational psychologist. Contribute to the knowledge and understanding of schools in the area of psychology, child development and special educational needs. iii Assist schools in developing appropriate policies and procedures.

4 iv Participate in research and development of areas of work or in working groups as required by Principal Educational Psychologist. v Liaise with other agencies and professionals in relation to the collection of pupil s data or monitoring of progress. vi Develop special skills, interests and expertise, by taking advantage of the programme of Continuing Professional Development. vii Psychology Assistants must complete training and be awarded the British Psychological Society Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing (Test User Level). This training will be arranged by the EA. The EA reserves the right to terminate the employment contract if the Psychology Assistant is not awarded this certificate.

5 EDUCATION AUTHORITY BELFAST PERSON SPECIFICATION POST: Psychology Assistant (initially 6 posts available) The base will be determined on appointment ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS hold an honours degree in psychology (2:1 or above) EXPERIENCE KNOWLEDGE SKILLS have a minimum of six months experience of working with children in an education, youth or health and social services setting knowledge of data management systems knowledge of appropriate ICT software packages (for example, Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, etc) ability to record information accurately and produce written information in a clear and organised format ability to analyse information, and to plan and organise work, and work to deadlines good interpersonal and communication skills when engaging with parents and professionals and working with young people ability to work independently and with initiative, under the supervision of a Senior Educational Psychologist have previous experience of working with children with special educational needs have paid employment working with children with special educational needs

6 ability to work as part of a team flexibility self-confidence PERSONAL QUALITIES empathy sensitivity enthusiasm perseverance OTHER REQUIREMENTS applicants should preferably have access to a car. A motor mileage allowance is payable in respect of authorised journeys undertaken in carrying out the duties of the post

7 CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT Belfast Office NON SCHOOL-BASED EMPLOYEES Statement of Main Particulars of Terms and Conditions of Service issued in compliance with the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (as amended) and the Employment (Northern Ireland) Order Introduction Part 2 In compliance with the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 and the Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, this statement sets out the main terms and conditions of your contract of employment with the Education Authority that are relevant at the date of issue. 2. Place of Work You will serve in the post and at the location specified in Part 1 of this document, or in any post appropriate to your grade at such other place of employment in the service of the Education Authority as may be reasonably required. You will not be required to work outside of the United Kingdom for more than one month. 3. Recognition of Period of Continuous Employment Your period of continuous service is stated in Part 1 of this document. Details relating to recognised employers are contained in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc.) (Modification) Order (NI) Conditions of Service/Collective Agreements Your terms and conditions of employment, including certain provisions relating to your working conditions are covered by collective agreements negotiated and agreed with Trade Unions and Staff Associations (see paragraph 12 below), which are recognised by the Education Authority for collective bargaining purposes in respect of the employment group to which you belong. These conditions are embodied in the Scheme of Conditions of Service relating to your employment group, and in other documents, all of which are available to you through the Education Authority Human Resources Section. From time to time variations in your terms and conditions of employment will result from negotiations and agreement with the Trade Unions and Staff Associations and these changes will be incorporated in the documents to which you have access. The Education Authority undertakes to ensure that all future changes in the terms and conditions of service will be entered into these documents within 28 days of the change being agreed. All agreed changes will be detailed on the Education Authority website. Each Education Authority policy/procedure, that is current at any

8 given time, is available on the Education Authority intranet or through the Education Authority Human Resources Section. 5. Probationary Service Your first 26 weeks of service will be probationary, at the end of which, subject to a satisfactory report by your Manager, your appointment will be confirmed. If you do not maintain the required standard of performance, conduct or regular punctual attendance during this probationary period (or any period of extension agreed by your line manager), the Education Authority reserves the right to terminate your employment during, or at the end of, the probationary period. 6. Remuneration Details relating to your current salary and hours of work are specified in Part 1 of this document, and are in accordance with the agreement relating to your grade. Your hours of work exclude meal breaks. Operational arrangements for breaks will be in accordance with the practice at your location of work, and will take account of the working time regulations. Your working hours/pattern are as agreed for your place of work or grade of employment and are subject to amendment, at the Education Authority s discretion and in consultation with Trade Unions, to meet the exigencies of the service. Overtime, if applicable, for work in excess of 36 hours per week is payable in accordance with the Scheme of Conditions of Service referred to in paragraph 4 above. You will be paid either four-weekly or monthly, as specified in Part 1 of this document, by Bankers Automatic Clearing Service (B.A.C.S.) to your Bank or Building Society Account. The Education Authority reserves the right to recover any overpayment of your salary from deduction of such overpayments from salary/monies due to you. This contract of employment may be amended at any time by virtue of collective agreements, referred to in paragraph 4 above. 7. Annual Leave, Public Holidays and Extra-Statutory Holidays In accordance with the Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 (as amended), all employees have a statutory entitlement to a minimum of 5.6 weeks paid holiday. Those employees working less than a 5 day/36 hour week and/or fewer than 52 weeks per annum are entitled to the same level of paid holiday on a pro rata basis. Your contractual annual leave entitlement, as specified on Part 1, plus your entitlement to public and extra-statutory holidays, exceeds the minimum legal entitlement of 5.6 weeks. The basic full-time annual leave entitlement [exclusive of public and extra-statutory holidays] is detailed in the table below.

9 Grade or Equivalent NJC Pts 4 17 Minimum Entitlement After 5 years service Scales 1(a), 1(b), 1(c),/Clerk Typist/Clerical Officer/ 21 days 28 days Senior Clerical Officer/Technician1/Technician 2 NJC Pts Executive Officer 21 days 29 days Technician 3 NJC Pts Senior Executive Officer/Administrative Officer/ 23 days 30 days Technician 4 NJC Pts Senior Administrative Officer/ Assistant Principal Officer/ 25 days 31 days Principal Officer NJC Pts 49 and over Senior Principal Officer/ Education Officer/Assistant Senior Education Officer/ Head of Department 27 days 33 days The leave year extends from 1 April in one year to 31 March the following year. As a new entrant, you will be entitled to leave proportionate to the completed months of service during your first year of entry. Your annual leave entitlement is to be taken at a time that is mutually agreed between you and your Line Manager. In the event that the location, at which you are based, closes over a holiday period, you will be required to take annual leave accordingly; providing you have been given notice of the planned closure. Alternatively, where it is possible to work from another location, you may request to do so; though any such arrangement must be approved, in advance, by your Line Manager. Your entitlement to leave is as defined in the documents referred to in 4 above. Your basic entitlement to annual leave is specified in Part 1 of this document. Where your employment commences on any date other than the first day of April, your revised annual leave entitlement for the current leave year (pro rata to your full entitlement, as your service will be for less than a full leave year) is specified in Part 1 of this document. This basic entitlement is increased after 5 years service in accordance with existing agreements. In addition, there are normally 12 public and extra-statutory holidays in any leave year. If you work less than a 5 day/36 hour week, and/or fewer than 52 weeks per annum, you will have an entitlement to leave that is pro rata to the hours, days and weeks that you work. Where more public and extra-statutory holidays occur on your working days than can be covered by your pro rata entitlement, the remaining days will need to be covered by annual leave or unpaid leave.

10 For example Grade Senior Administrative Officer Working hours 21.6 hours/week (i.e. 3 5 of 36 hours) Working pattern Monday Tuesday and Wednesday (7.2 hours each day) Basic Annual Leave entitlement 15 days (25 days pro rata) Public and extra-statutory holidays 7 ½ days (12 days pro rata) entitlement Full leave entitlement 22 ½ days If you work irregular hours, your leave entitlement may be calculated, approved and recorded in hours rather than days. For example Grade Working hours Working pattern Senior Administrative Officer 21.6 hours/week on average Irregular (i.e. 3 5 of 36 hours) Basic Annual Leave entitlement 108 hours (180 hours pro rata) Public and extra-statutory holidays 52 hours (86.5 hours pro rata) entitlement Full leave entitlement 160 hours In the event that you leave employment, your annual leave entitlement will be calculated on the basis of completed months served in the current leave year and the Education Authority will adjust your final salary/wage payment to take account of annual leave entitlement over or under taken. In cases where the final salary payment is insufficient to meet this cost, you will be required to reimburse the Education Authority accordingly. 8. Occupational Sick Pay The Education Authority supports the principle of providing for sickness absence and payment of such absence. However, within the provisions for sickness leave and payment, the Education Authority will reserve the right to monitor absence and take all action considered reasonable to assist employees and control absence levels. This may include requesting medical examinations, interviewing absentees and, where appropriate, terminating employment in accordance with the relevant Education Authority procedures which are available from the Education Authority Human Resources Section. If you are absent from work as a result of an injury attributable to the negligence of a third party, you must notify the Education Authority about the accident. Where a claim for damages is to be made, you must include in any such claim a specific amount for loss of earnings, and on payment of the claim, you must refund to the Education Authority the sick pay advanced to you if recovery of these monies is successful.

11 You are required to accurately detail your state of health on the pre-employment Health Declaration Form. Failure to do so may be considered a disciplinary offence and/or could result in the offer of employment being withdrawn and/or could result in dismissal. Your entitlement to Occupational Sick Pay, which comprises statutory payments and payments under the Occupational Sick Pay Scheme, less any deduction under the NJC Pay and Conditions of Service as appropriate, is as follows: Length of Service During 1st year of service During 2 nd year of service During 3 rd year of service During 4 th and 5 th years service After 5 years service Entitlement NB: full pay is the full normal amount payable to that employee. 1 month s full pay and, after completing 4 months service, 2 months half pay 2 months full pay and 2 months half pay 4 months full pay and 4 months half pay 5 months full pay and 5 months half pay 6 months full pay and 6 months half pay If you work less than a 5 day/36 hours week and/or fewer than 52 weeks per annum, your entitlement will be pro rated accordingly. Entitlement is calculated on the basis of absence in the 12 month period immediately before your period of sickness absence. Reduction to half pay will be implemented on completion of payment of full pay entitlement. If you are absent due to illness, you are required to notify your Line Manager immediately and submit appropriate documentation to cover the absence in accordance with the Managing Attendance Procedure. The Education Authority reserves the right to withhold payments where absence is not correctly notified, or where relevant documentation has not been received by the Education Authority. Abuse of the sick pay scheme will be dealt with under the Disciplinary Procedure. The Education Authority Occupational Sick Pay Scheme and the Disciplinary Procedures are available on the Education Authority intranet or through the Education Authority Human Resources Section. 9. Notice The minimum period of notice to which you are entitled under the Employment Rights (NI) Order 1996 is as follows: Period of Continuous Employment 1 month or more but less than 2 years 1 week Minimum Notice 2 years or more but less than 12 years 1 week for each year of continuous employment 12 years or more not less than 12 weeks notice Where the Education Authority is required to give you notice, the Education Authority will provide notice in accordance with the statutory entitlement outlined above, unless employment is terminated on the grounds of summary dismissal for gross misconduct.

12 The minimum period of notice of termination of your employment, which you are required to give, is not less than 1 calendar month/4 weeks. Employees on salary NJC Pt. 42 and above (or equivalent) are required to give 3 calendar months notice. You may not be required to work your notice period, and the Education Authority reserves the right to pay salary to you in lieu of part or all of your notice period. 10. Retirement If you contribute to the Local Government Pension Scheme, you can retire and receive your benefits in full once you have reached retirement age. You must advise your Line Manager in writing at least 4 months prior to your intended date of retirement in order to meet NILGOSC deadlines for pension release. Further information is available from the Education Authority Human Resources Section. 11. Superannuation Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme for Northern Ireland is available. The Education Authority will enrol you in the Scheme on a contractual basis provided your contract lasts for more than 3 months and contributions towards the scheme will be deducted from your pay. In addition, the Education Authority has a statutory obligation to automatically enrol you in the Scheme provided you meet the eligibility criteria at any time during your employment. Information and assistance on automatic enrolment is available from the Education Authority Human Resources Section. 12. Trade Union Membership The Education Authority supports the established system of collective bargaining and believes in the principles of solving industrial relations problems by discussion and agreement. For practical purposes, it is considered this can only be conducted through negotiations by representatives of the employer and employees. You have the right, and are encouraged by the Education Authority, to join a recognised independent Trade Union/Staff Association and to take part in its activities. Details of the independent Trade Unions and Staff Associations, that are recognised by the Education Authority and represented on the appropriate negotiating body, are available to you through the Education Authority Human Resources Section. 13. Grievance Procedure If you have a grievance relating to your employment, please refer to the Education Authority procedure. A hard copy of the procedure is attached, and is current on the date of issue. In accordance with paragraph 4 above, the Education Authority may negotiate and agree variations to terms and conditions; and the Grievance Procedure that is current at any given time is available through the Education Authority Human Resources Section. 14. Disciplinary Procedure The Procedure that the Education Authority is required to follow, in the event of having to take disciplinary action against you, is set out in the document attached to this Statement. The copy of the procedure attached is current on the date of issue, and includes the disciplinary rules. In accordance with paragraph 4 above, the Education Authority may negotiate and agree variations to terms and conditions, and the Disciplinary Procedure that is current at any given time is available through the Education Authority Human Resources Section. 15. Conduct The public is entitled to demand conduct of the highest standard. For this reason a code of conduct has been developed, which clearly defines the standards of conduct that must be maintained.

13 Failure to comply with this code may be considered a disciplinary offence and/or could result in the offer of employment being withdrawn and/or could result in dismissal. A copy of the code that is current at any given time is available through the Education Authority Human Resources Section. If you are required to hold specified professional registration for the post, failure to retain the necessary registration could result in the offer of employment being withdrawn and/or could result in dismissal. 16. Harassment in the Workplace The Education Authority is committed to providing a safe and harmonious working environment and recognises that employees have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. You are required to undertake your duties in a professional manner, to comply with all reasonable instructions and to co-operate in the promotion of harmonious working relationships. A Policy Statement and Code of Practice on measures to combat harassment in the workplace is available on the Education Authority s Intranet, or through the Education Authority Human Resources Section. 17. Maternity/Paternity/Adoption/Parental Leave Provisions There are Schemes in operation for the provision of Maternity, Adoption, Paternity and Parental leave. You are advised that there are time limits for notification, and further details of these Schemes are available on the Education Authority Intranet, or through the Education Authority Human Resources Section. 18. Job Evaluation The Education Authority operates a Job Evaluation Scheme, which is covered by a collective agreement negotiated and agreed by the Trade Unions. While in the employment of the Education Authority, if your post is upgraded as a result of job evaluation, you will receive the increased wage/salary and any backdating agreed in accordance with the scheme. 19. Undertaking Work in Addition to This Post If you are intending to undertake any other paid employment or work you should, prior to undertaking the other work, notify the Education Authority of your intention to do so. This other work can only be undertaken where the Education Authority has granted written approval. Such work will not normally be of concern provided that it does not, in the view of the Education Authority, conflict with the interests of the Education Authority, or detrimentally affect the interests of the Education Authority, or in any way weaken public confidence in the conduct of the business of the Education Authority, or breach current employment legislation including the Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) Further information regarding work that may conflict with the interests of the Education Authority is contained within the Code of Conduct for Employees (Item 7 within the Code refers). If, on commencing this post, you are already undertaking other paid employment that you intend to continue, you should notify the Education Authority as outlined above. 20. Whistleblowing The Education Authority is committed to the highest standards of openness, probity and accountability in the delivery of its services. Whilst the Education Authority has put in place a wide range of rules, regulations, procedures and codes of practice to deliver its commitments, malpractice, abuse and/or wrongdoing may unfortunately still occur. The Education Authority does not tolerate any such malpractice, abuse or wrongdoing, and encourages anyone who has any knowledge of such to raise their concerns. If you have any such concerns, details of how to

14 report such matters are contained in the Whistleblowing Policy, copies of which are available through the Education Authority Human Resources Section. 21. Child Protection The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as regulated activity. It is a criminal offence for any individual on any barred list or who is the subject of a disqualification order from the courts; to apply for, offer to do, accept or do any work in a post involving regulated activity, paid or unpaid. Appointment to a post defined as regulated activity is subject to a satisfactory outcome of the vetting procedure, including receipt of a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure Certificate from AccessNI. If your post involves any regulated activity, you are required to inform your Line Manager if, during your employment, you become the subject of an investigation into an allegation that involves matters of child protection; or if you are subject to police caution, bind over or conviction for any offence that could impact upon your suitability to work in regulated activity. Failure to do so will be considered a most serious breach of discipline. 22. Full List of Terms and Conditions of Service This is not a complete list of your terms and conditions of employment. Further information on terms and conditions is available, on request, from the Education Authority Human Resources Section. Revised 1 April 2015