Job Description
NAME:
Post: ALS Co-ordinator
Grade: Business Support Scale 5 (£20,204 - £22,195)
With the opportunity to progress to scale 6 (£22,907 - £24,477) on successful completion of duties 15 & 16*
Hours: 37 per week (full time)
Location: Middlesbrough Campus – FE Site
[The post holder may also be expected to work from the Hartlepool site on some occasions]
Line Manager: Student Services Manager
PURPOSE OF POST:
To co-ordinate all Additional Learning Support (ALS) activity, across the College campus, including supporting the timetabling of ALS sessions, maintaining ALS Spirals database, conducting regular student review, making applications for funding and liaising with curriculum teams, parents and external providers.
Main Areas of Responsibility
1. To provide a first point of contact for enquiries from potential students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, or their parents and support workers;
2. To work collaboratively with curriculum teams to provide guidance and information, during interviews of students, to assess support needs and needs from curriculum teams
3. To undertake appropriate assessments which identify students’ needs and appropriate learning support, which promotes independence and assists in the development of personal strategies of support.
4. To support ALS staff in the timetabling of ALS sessions, following up missed appointments and contacting bank staff to provide cover when necessary;
5. To provide in and out of class cover if necessary to support learners with additional needs
6. Assisting in the day-to-day running of the ALS service, including acting as first line of contact for curriculum teams, Local Authorities, external support agencies, and support workers.
7. To be fully responsible for maintaining the ALS database of students in receipt of learner support, including data entry onto the system;
8. To work with the Student Services Manager, ALS team and curriculum teams to identify issues within the timetabling of ALS support, to ensure all those requiring support are able to access it;
9. Conducting observations of staff involved in delivering ALS, including gaining feedback from both service users and curriculum teams;
10. Ensuring that all relevant student files, databases and associated paperwork are up-to-date, including conducting a complete audit annually;
11. Liaising with curriculum, exams, and any other internal and external parties necessary in order to best support learners in receipt of ALS, including regular attendance at curriculum team meetings (as required) and parents evenings;
12. To support the Student Services Manager in ensuring resources utilised by ALS staff are fit for purpose and researching to identify new resources which can be acquired to develop the service further;
13. Contribution to regular team meetings alongside the Student Services Manager to provide information and area updates to the wider Student Services team;
14. Undertaking regular liaison and reviews of external support providers to ensure the college is receiving value for money and providing students with high quality support which is reflective and supportive of the curriculum teams;
15. To develop and maintain an internal bank of highly trained and skilled support workers, to offer a range of support functions including classroom assistance, mentoring, library support, and general personal support, alongside the identification of appropriately qualified specialist staff to provide cover in times of staff absence.
16. To further develop the transition and progression arrangements for all ALS service users which will incorporate regular student reviews involving curriculum teams, parents, support staff and external agencies.
17. To develop and maintain a timely concise and effective process for notifying all relevant staff of students support needs in relation to accessibility arrangements and potential reasonable adjustments;
18. To support the ALS team and Student Services Manager in the delivery and analysing of learning difficulties screening;
19. To assist the Student Services Manager in the delivery of training to the wider college team;
20. To support the Student Services Manager in ensuring an “outstanding” level of support for both learners and staff;
21. Assisting at Open evenings, enrolment time, induction and with events;
22. Ensure other members of the team have information to cover effectively for you in your absence.
23. Participate in the Corporation’s staff review and development procedure and undertake relevant updating of skills and knowledge as appropriate.
24. Ensure that the Corporation’s Health & Safety policy is adhered to at all times and take responsibility for general health and safety housekeeping within your work area.
25. Any other duties reasonably commensurate with the nature and grading of the post, as directed by the line manager, Vice Principal, Principal or his designate alternate.
26. Any other duties commensurate with the grade.
The above mentioned duties are neither exclusive nor exhaustive and the post holders may be required to carry out such other appropriate duties as may be determined by their line manager and the Principal.
NOTE
The post will be based at the Middlesbrough campus, but the duties of the job may require the post holder to work at any College campus or other location connected with the work of the College. Travel between these locations will form a requisite part of this post.
The post holders normal working hours will be 8.30 – 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, although some evenings and weekend working maybe required to support activity at open days and other relevant events.
The post holder is required to have a commitment to:
· The continuing development and implementation of the College’s Equality & Diversity Policy.
· The health and safety of staff, students and visitors in general and the College’s policies and procedures in particular
· The principles and procedures set out in the College’s Child Protection Policy.
· Financial regulations
*Progression to scale 6 will be considered by the college on the successful development of robust progression and transition arrangements for ALS service users, and the implementation of an internal resource of support workers, alongside appropriate supporting structures.
Signed: / Date:ALS Co-ordinator
Signed: / Date:
Jill Fernie – Clarke – Vice Principal
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential / Desirable / Source of EvidenceEDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Educated to, or working towards a degree level qualification. / ü / AF
Hold a level 4 qualification in advice and guidance / ü / AF
Membership of an associated professional body such as NADP / ü / AF
EXPERIENCE
Extensive experience of working with learners with additional support needs and disabilities including parents/carers, curriculum staff and referral agencies. / ü / AF / IV
Experience of working in a Further Education setting / ü / AF / IV
Experience of effective coordination of a cross organisational service and related partnerships / ü / AF / IV
Experience of managing good administration and record keeping systems in order to comply with internal and external audits / ü / AF / IV
Experience of developing supporting procedures and structures / ü / AF/IV
Experience of providing line management / ü / AF/IV
Experience of developing, implementing and maintaining a network of support staff. / ü / AF/IV
Experience of providing IAG, conducting health and educational risk assessments and developing and implementing support and care plans / ü / AF/IV
SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE / ABILITIES
Demonstrable interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with a wide range of people / ü / IV / REF
Flexible approach to working practices / ü / AF / IV
Ability to provide excellent standards of customer service at all times / ü / AF/IV
Ability to organise and coordinate cross organisation and multi-agency support arrangements for students / ü / AF/IV / REF
Proven ability to work effectively as part of the student services team / ü / IV
Knowledge of the barriers experienced by learners with disabilities and additional support needs and how this can impact on accessing learning and achieving educational goals / ü / IV
Knowledge of current legislation related to social, health and disability practices with regard to providing holistic support to learners in an educational setting / ü / IV/AF
Proven IT skills including the effective use of Windows, Spread sheets, Spirals Databases and other related packages / ü / AF / IV
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