CORNWALLCOLLEGE

Job Description

Post title:Learning Support Practitioner

Based at:Bicton College

Reports to:Learning Support Coordinator

Terms & Conditions:Support Contract

Grade/salary scale:CC_13: £16,197pro rata

The Cornwall College Group’s core purpose is ‘Making Learning Work’.

Our evolving strategic intent is to enable inclusive access to a high quality, career led curriculum, developed in partnership with learners, employers and key stakeholders in Cornwall and beyond.

Generic role of post:

To support individual or small groups of learners in the achievement of their learning goals and the development of independent life and employability skills. This could include the learner’s English, Maths and I.T skills as well as supporting them in their vocational studies, both in theory and practical sessions. A Learning Support Practitioner (LSP) may also support learners with communication, behaviour, emotional difficulties and social anxiety. LSPs will aim to work with learners to develop independent study skills and strategies to assist in their own learning.

Key areas of responsibility:

  • Contribute to the delivery of an efficient statutory SEND service as detailed in the Children and Families Act (2014) and the SEND Code of Practice (2015).
  • Support learners identified as having Special Educational Needs and to work closely with teaching staff and external agencies to ensure that all learners are able to access the whole curriculum
  • Assist teaching staff and provide additional support for learnersin the classroom and offsite learning situations, which may include extracurricular activities wherever provided.
  • Participate in a support role in various vocational programmes offered within the learning environment.
  • Support learners with personal care, personal hygiene needs and basic medication in some instances.
  • Where a learner has a learning difficulty or disability that calls for special educational provision, support the college in using its best endeavours to put appropriate support in place (CoP 7.13)
  • Be actively and regularly involved in the reviews of a learner’s support plan, taking into account the learner’s progress and any changes to the learner’s own ambitions and aspirations, which may lead to changes in the type and level of their support (CoP 7.19)
  • Ensure that all support work is tracked, monitored and recorded in accordance with the SEND Code of Practice, college and external funding requirements
  • Assist in the monitoring of learners’ progress, behaviour and commitment and provide regular reports to, Learning Support Coordinator /Transition Officer/Lead LSP, Team Leads, Teaching staff, Senior Learning Advisor and Personal Learning Advisors.
  • Participate in a flexible approach to Learning Support and assist in offering graduated and intervention support to learners.
  • Support learners during break periods, to develop social skills and independent life skills. This may also involve accompanying students to and from buses and taxis.
  • Participate in appraisal and staff development processes, including mandatory training days.
  • Complete all relevant paperwork associated with the job role.
  • In the spirit of good teamwork, be willing to undertake any other reasonable duties as directed by the Learning Support Coordinator /Transition Officer/Lead LSP in order to assist with the quality and continuation of Brilliant Learning Support. For example occasional cover for absent colleagues, or responding to a specific need occasioned by a change in circumstances with respect to a specific learner or group of learners.

Person Specification

Skills, Ability and Competencies:

Essential:

  • A commitment to inclusive learning and a willingness to gain an understanding of students with Special Education Needs
  • Experience of working with learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.
  • A sensitive and caring approach to learners and trainees and a professional approach when representing the College with external clients
  • Good communication and written skills,
  • Be an effective team worker but able to work on own initiative
  • Able to adapt quickly to changing priorities
  • Ability to work with learners in groups
  • Ability to keep accurate records to meet auditing and SEND Code of Practice deadlines

Desirable:

  • Experience of supporting young people with sensory impairments
  • Competence in IT
  • First Aid certificate
  • Full driving licence
  • MIDAS qualification
  • Previous experience in a variety of support settings or vocational employment would be advantageous.Previous experience in a variety of support settings or vocational employment
  • ExperiKnowledge of the land based curriculum

Education & Qualifications

Essential:

  • Level 2 English and Maths(or equivalent)

Desirable:

  • Relevant vocational qualifications
  • Makaton or BSL Level 1
  • Learning Support qualifications

Learning Support PractitionerBICTON – Sept 2016

CoP = Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years