Job Description

Job TitleStudent Support Assistant – ‘The Starting Point’

LocationHenshaws College, Harrogate

Salary£9.09 per hour

Hours per WeekVarious shifts available

Weeks52 weeks/ 38 weeks

Annual Leave25 days holiday plus 10 days bank holidays

Reports toSenior Care Officer

DBS Check Enhanced Check with child barring list and adult barring list (college students ages range from 16 – 25 years old)

‘The Starting Point’ at Henshaws Specialist College

The Starting Point is an exciting development forming part of the Henshaws Specialist College. It provides an educational pathway based around a supportive learning and living environment for young people with Autism and sensory sensitivity who may display behaviour that may be considered challenging. Students that access the Centre may be diagnosed with Autism, or have similar characteristics along with wider additional needs. Learners who access these facilities will benefit from a low arousal environment and positive, structured educational pathway throughout their day, continuing into the home.

Job Summary:

This role will work as part of a team in ‘The Starting Point’ providing specialist care and learning support for students with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD). The key focus of the role will be to promote independence and preparethe students for adulthood.

Main Duties for all bands:

  • Ensure that the learning needs of the students are supported as directed by education staff and workwith the programme leader and therapists to support the students within their learning.
  • Carry out the care requirements for each student as directed on their individual care and support plan.
  • Accurately and appropriately record and report students’ needs and progress.
  • Keep up to date and remain fully aware of the students’ conditions and any care and medication requirements of those students.
  • Ensure that appropriate care equipment is used after training and work as trained.
  • Report any concerns to theSenior Care Officer (SCO)or Programme Leaderwhich may affect student/staff welfare or safety.
  • Assist all students in any way which promotes and enables their development and independence.
  • Carry out additional responsibilities for nominated students assisting them where required with setting personal goals, purchasing personal toiletries, family birthday cards and gift etc.
  • Carry out any administrative and housekeeping tasks necessary to ensure good housekeeping, cleanliness and health and safety in relation to the student residences.
  • Comply with the ‘Starting Points’ dress code and ‘Code of Professionalism’
  • Work within the college’s ‘Positive Behaviour Policy’ following the practices of ‘Team Teach’ having up to date knowledge on each individual’s BH2(positive behaviour support plan).
  • To comply with policies and procedures relating to safeguarding, health and safety, equality and diversity, confidentiality and data protection, reporting concerns to an appropriate person
  • Attend all mandatory and compulsory training required for your role ensuring that these are up to date.
  • Complete administration of medication,when assessed as appropriate,and prove competency to be able to administer medication to students at Henshaws Specialist College.
  • Carry out any other duties that are commensurate with the band of the role.

July 2015

Person Specification

In order to be shortlisted you must demonstrate that you meet all the essential criteria and as many of the desirable criteria as possible. Where we have a large number of applications that meet all of the essential criteria, we will then use the
desirable criteria to produce the shortlist.

All disabled candidates who meet the minimum essential criteria will be included on the shortlist.

Criteria / Essential or Desirable / How Identified
Application form / Interview / Selection test / copy of certificates.
Skills and Experience / Recent experience of working with young adults in caring or education environment / Essential / Application form / Interview
Experience of working with people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD) and an understanding of the specific needs relating to these. / Desirable / Application form / Interview
Good written and verbal communication skills / Essential / Application form / Interview
Experience of using Makaton and/or Intensive Interaction / Desirable / Application form
Able to understand or to develop an understanding of the needs of children/young adults with a disability / Essential / Interview
A willingness to support the students in developing independence skills and self-advocacy / Essential / Application form / Interview
Ability to stand back from a situation and let a student try something for themselves / Essential / Interview
Able to work under pressure / Essential / Application form / Interview
Able to work using own initiative as well as working as part of a multi-disciplinary team / Essential / Application form / Interview
Ability to provide personal care to students who require support in this area / Essential / Interview
General &
Specialist Knowledge / Awareness of equality and diversity in reference to the client group / Essential / Interview
Basic computing knowledge e.g. Microsoft Word and Outlook / Essential / Application form
Education &
Training / Good standard of general education including evidence of GCSE English and Maths at grade C or above (or equivalent). / Essential / Application form / certificates
Hold (or be prepared to work towards) a relevant Level 2 or 3 qualification in Health and Social Care (or equivalent) / Essential / Application form / certificates
Hold (or be prepared to work towards) a relevant Level 2 or 3 qualification e.g. Children and Young People's Workforce Development, Supporting Teaching and Learning or Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning (or equivalent) / Desirable / Application form / certificates
Willingness and ability to undertake work related training and utilise new skills and knowledge to enable improved support / Essential / Interview
Special
Requirements / A commitment to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of students / Essential / Interview
Willingness to support students in a way that promotes their independence and development / Essential / Interview
Ability to promote the student group in a positive and professional manner / Essential / Interview
Enthusiastic, respectful and sensitive attitude to our client group / Essential / Application form / Interview
You must be able to cope with the physical demands of the role including pushing a wheelchair and assisting the student into and out of the wheelchair if required (after having training) / Essential / Interview
Moving and handling of students by means of mechanical aids / Essential / Interview
Flexible approach to working hours and ability to work the hours which meet the establishment’s need. / Essential / Application form / Interview

Henshaws will make every endeavor to make any reasonable adjustments for applicants who require assistance in carrying out their duties due to a disability.

Henshaws is committed to safeguarding vulnerable adults and children. The post holder may be required to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure check including barring lists for Adult and/or child barring services.

Henshaws is committed to equal opportunities and positively welcomes applications from all sections of the community.