Specialist Support Worker for Autism in DSPL 7

Job Description

Specialist Support Worker for Autism in DSPL 7

H5 (£12,825 per annum)

4 days per week, term time only

The post holder is required to perform the duties below. S/he will be responsible to the Developing Special Provision Locally area 7 (DSPL7) Lead and will demonstrate a genuine commitment to our equal opportunities policy and the well-being of all students.

This job description will be reviewed annually and will form the basis of the Appraisal procedure. Any issues relating to the review of this job description should be brought to the notice of the DSPL7 Lead by the post holder through the senior line manager. The post holder will undertake the following specific responsibilities in order to fulfil our statutory requirements, school aims, policies and targets.

Main area of responsibility

·  Under the supervision of the Communication and Autism Team (CAT), to plan and deliver short interventions to enable children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to engage and access learning within the DSPL7 area.

Core Tasks

·  Identify and to put in place strategies in partnership with school staff to support students

·  Work with diagnosed as well as undiagnosed conditions

·  To attend meetings, including Team Around the Family (TAF)

·  To write up summaries of intervention that could inform EHCP applications and ENF applications

·  To engage with parents and school staff diplomatically but also be able to challenge

·  To be confident, engaging and interactive with the students

·  To work collaboratively with the CAT team and be able to sign post parents and school staff appropriately in liaison with the CAT team

·  Develop resources for the CAT team and students and staff

·  Evaluation of provision

·  Understanding of curriculum

General

Usual place of work is at outreach with the CAT Team base.

Organisation Chart

Head Teacher DSPL7 Lead School → DSPL7 Co-ordinator → CAT Team → Specialist Support Worker

Supervision

Day to day supervision will be carried out by the CAT Team.

Contacts

·  There is frequent contact with students, parents, school staff, other DSPL7 team members and Herts County Council.

·  There is frequent contact with external agencies.

The duties and responsibilities listed above describe the post, as it is envisaged at present. The post holder is expected to accept any reasonable alterations that may, from time to time, be necessary.

Person Specification - Specialist Support Worker

Requirements / Essential (E) or Desirable (D) / How Assessed
Qualifications/Education/Training
·  Any relevant qualifications such as NVQs or further professional qualifications, such as counselling training
·  GCSE, or equivalent, Maths and English at grade C or higher
·  Appropriate professional development such as STEPS training / D
E
D / Letter of Application /
Assessed Interview
Experience
·  Experience of working within a classroom
·  Experience of working within a special school environment
·  Experience of working with children who display behaviour that challenges
·  Ability to demonstrate qualities required by the job specification
·  Observing children and assessing the environment
·  Experience of working with parents
·  Experience of nurture procedures
·  Experience of working within a group or with individuals / E
D
D
D
E
E
D
E / Letter of application and task
Knowledge
·  Knowledge and understanding of Autism
·  Knowledge of the curriculum / D
D / Letter of application / interview
Skills and Competencies
·  Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
·  Ability to process and interpret information
·  Ability to cope with periods of pressure and prioritise workload accordingly, meeting all deadlines
·  Capacity to adapt working practices and approaches to different settings, students and professional
·  Creative, ability to come up with ideas
·  Excellent administration and organisation skills
·  Ability to work flexibly and share workloads, particularly during periods of pressure
·  Excellent negotiation skills
·  Accuracy and reliability in maintaining record keeping
·  Demonstrating a good level of competence in using ICT, where required in the job specification
·  Ability to work well with a wide range of people, including students and own initiative, taking the lead when necessary
·  Ability to share knowledge and skill up school staff in a mindful manner, being aware of professional boundaries and sensibilities
·  Awareness and acceptance of the school’s equal opportunities policy / E
E
E
E
E
E
E
D
E
E
E
E
E / Assessed Interview / References
Personal Attributes
·  Self-motivated with an ability to work on own to achieve successful outcome
·  Ability to talk sensitively and honestly with students and parents
·  Nurturing
·  Ability to make decisions and use own initiative
·  Prepared to learn new skills
·  An understanding and ability to demonstrate the professional standards required when working in a school environment
·  Positive outlook and a sense of humour
·  An awareness of the schools aims and ethos and a willingness to actively engage in the school community
·  Accept the need for continuing professional development
·  Be able to carry out all duties to a very high standard / E
E
E
E
E
E/D
E
E
E
E
E / Letter of application / Assessed interview
Other
·  Experience of appropriate software including Microsoft Office, SIMS as required by the job specification / E / Letter of application