HQ13/13/10

BELFAST EDUCATION AND LIBRARY BOARD

PROMOTING AND SUSTAINING GOOD BEHAVIOUR

BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT OFFICER- PRIMARY

This is a temporary post available by secondment or fixed term contract until 31 March 2014 and may be subject to extension or review.

The Belfast Education and Library Board proposes to appoint by secondment or fixed term contract, a post-primary teacher to join its behaviour support team.

The board is seeking to appoint an experienced and committed officer to join its multi-disciplinary team. Appointment to the Belfast Education and Library Board offers teachers an excellent opportunity to widen their experience and develop career opportunities. Officers join a team, which has an established reputation and is committed to high standards, providing a school-centred approach to school improvement and to curriculum and staff development.

The teacher appointed will become part of an organisation noted for its caring and supportive ethos. They will undertake important, interesting and challenging tasks. An induction programme and ongoing training will be provided for the appointees.

The teacher appointed will be required to work within the behaviour support teams policy and practice under the direction of the manager of Behaviour Resource Service to:

(i)Mainly engage schools in systemic work in the promotion of positive behaviour;

(ii)Contribute to the work of the area teams;

(iii)Provide support to principals, teachers and governors in reviewing, developing and implementing school discipline policies;

(iv)Provide both school-based and centre-based training in behavioural issues;

(v)Provide immediate advice to schools on action in response to serious incidents, and to provide advice to teachers on the behaviour support team’s telephone help line and at the behaviour resource base at Mountcollyer Centre;

(vi)Encourage parental and external agency involvement in supporting positive behaviour in schools;

(vii)Prepare materials to assist schools in making greater use of curricular flexibilities and work experience as vehicles for engaging pupils at risk of disaffection;

(viii)Respond to requests for support and guidance for teachers experiencing classroom management difficulties;

(ix)Provide centre-based and school-based training for classroom assistants supporting pupils with social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties;

(x)Contribute to the day-to-day work of the team and carry out other related duties as required and;

(xi)Keep detailed records of their ongoing work.

Support officers will be required to work mainly in grant-aided primary schools in the board’s area, however they would be expected to contribute to any other initiatives that the board is involved in.

Support officers will also be required to assist in the implementation of the board’s communication and ICT strategy.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants mustat the closing date:

(i)be qualified teachers recognised by the Department of Education (NI); and

(ii)have a minimum of 3 years experience teaching primary school children in a special school/unit for children who experience social, emotional and behavioral difficulties.

Preference may be given to those applicants whoat the closing date:

(i)in addition to their basic qualifications have obtained an additional relevant qualification; and/or

(ii)have experience of delivering training to staff.

The panel reserves the right to enhance these criteria.

Personnel Specification - See attached

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

For the period of appointment, appointees will serve as officers of the board and be subject to the terms and conditions of employment applicable to board officers.

Working Hours:36 per week

Salary:£39,079 - £42,649/£46,152*

(*includes 3 points under the agreement relating to Structured Professional Assessment)

Leave:The leave entitlement for seconded officers is 36 days, plus 12 statutory days; for officers appointed on a fixed term contract it is 31 days plus 12 statutory days. This permits support officers to take 6 weeks leave in July/August (obligatory) and enjoy reasonable breaks at Christmas and Easter. Support officers are expected to report for duty for the final week of August; other holidays must be agreed with the officer’s line manager.

Applicants should preferably have access to a car. A motor mileage allowance will be paid at casual users rate in accordance with the board’s scheme, in respect of authorised journeys undertaken in carrying out the duties of the post.

DURATION OFEither

APPOINTMENT: a.Applicants seeking appointment by secondment must not have been in seconded employment for more than 3 months within the year prior to date of appointment.

b.Applicants must seek their employers consent’ before making formal application for appointment.

N.B Notes of guidance are attached.

Posts involving work in educational institutions are subject to the provisions of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007. The successful applicant will require an enhanced disclosure check which at present costs £30. Further details regarding the payment of this check will be issued with the contract of employment.

CANVASSING WILL DISQUALIFY

The closing date for receipt of applications is

12.00 NOON ON FRIDAY 12 APRIL 2013.

Please note human resources will be closed Monday 1 April 2013 and Tuesday 2 April.

Belfast Education & Library Board

Personnel Specification

The panel reserves the right to enhance these criteria.

Post / Behaviour Support Officer – Primary
Location / Board Headquarters
Essential / Preferred
Qualifications /
  • Qualified teacher recognised by the Department of Education.
/
  • In addition to their basic qualifications have obtained an additional relevant qualification.

Experience /
  • Have a minimum of 3 years experience teaching primary school children in a special school/unit for children who experience social, emotional and behavioral difficulties.
/
  • Have experience of delivering training to staff.

Knowledge/Skills /
  • Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties and other related areas.
  • Effective communicator.
  • Show competence in presentation skills.
  • Ability to work in a team.
/
  • Show initiative and be creative.
  • Well informed.
  • Good listening skills.

Personal Qualities /
  • Good communication skills both oral and written.
  • Committed.
  • Confident.
  • Enthusiastic.
  • Highly motivated.
  • Ability to take feedback.
  • Goodtime management.
/ Ability to accept feedback and take responsibility.

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