Informal Enquiries to: Jacqueline Marshall on: 07753904260

/ CITY of SHEFFIELD
JOB DESCRIPTION
DIRECTORATE / Children’s and Young People’s
SERVICE AREA / Learning and Achievement Service – Extended Learning
POST TITLE /

Playing for Success Learner Support Officer

SALARYRANGE
HOURS / SUG 3
37 hours per week, 52 weeks a year or pro rata term time
The needs of the post will determine the working pattern
RESPONSIBLE TO / Playing for Success Coordinator – line management
PfS Centre Coordinator / Sports Club – day to day supervision
RESPONSIBLE FOR
HOLIDAY AND
SICKNESS RELIEF /

Cover for PfS Centre Co-ordinator / Learner Support Officers

Cover by Learner Support Officers

PURPOSE OF JOB / To provide support to learners attending the PfS Centres and contribute to the delivery of onsite and online learning programmes. To provide cover for the short-term absence of tutors including the implementation of work programmes and managing pupil behaviour.
The aim of the post is to raise the achievement of young learners by increasing motivation, building self-esteem and helping them to become effective and independent learners.
JOB DESCRIPTION FOR POST OF:- PfS Learner Support Officer
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The postholder must at all times carry out his/her responsibilities within the spirit of the City Council’s Policies and Procedures, in particular the Council Policies on Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety and also, within the framework of the Education Act 2002.

This role is similar to and at the level of a Senior Teaching Assistant Level 3 (Cover) as recently introduced in Sheffield Schools. The job description therefore reflects this although the role differs in that it is in an out of school setting. The post holder will be expected to provide short-term cover for absent tutors.

  • To support tutors in the development and delivery of learning programmes:
  • Assisting to establish an appropriate working environment
  • Assisting with activity planning and evaluation
  • Undertaking planned supervision of activities
  • Providing accurate feedback and reports as required to the tutor on learners’ achievement/progress ensuring the availability of appropriate evidence
  • Being responsible for keeping and updating records as agreed with the tutor, contributing to reviews of systems/records as requested
  • Promoting positive values, attitudes and high standards of behaviour, dealing promptly with conflict and incidents in line with established policy and encourage learners to take responsibility for their own behaviour
  • Administering routine assessments
  • Providing general clerical/admin support on a daily basis e.g. report production, produce worksheets and resources for agreed activities etc.
  • To provide support for learners by
  • The use of specialist skills/training/experience to help learners to identify and overcome barriers to their learning
  • Establishing productive working relationships with learners, acting as a role model and setting high expectations for young learners
  • Promoting the inclusion and acceptance of all learners within the Centre whilst ensuring equal access to opportunities
  • Providing proactive encouragement and support for individual learners as well as group learner support, including whole-class presentation of learning content where appropriate, using the full range of ICT available in the Centre
  • Encouraging learners to interact and work cooperatively with others
  • Promoting independence and employing strategies to recognise and reward achievement
  • Providing feedback to learners in relation to their progress and achievement
  • Supporting the Sheffield PfS initiative by
  • undertaking planned supervision of learning activities and providing cover for the short term absence of centre co-ordinators
  • being aware of and complying with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
  • contributing to the overall ethos/work/aims across all Playing for Success (Sheffield) centres
  • attending and participating in regular meetings
  • participating in training and other learning activities as required
  • recognising own strengths and areas of expertise and use these to support and advise others
  • assisting with the training and monitoring of volunteer mentors
  • implementing the financial and administrative systems set up within the Centres and adhering to Council regulations and procedures including providing best value at all times.

To undertake any other duties and responsibilities which do not change the character and purpose of the post as may be determined after negotiations between management, the postholder and the appropriate trade union.

Issue date : February 2008

CITY OF SHEFFIELD

EDUCATION DIRECTORATE

PERSON SPECIFICATION FOR THE POST OF

PLAYING FOR SUCCESS LEARNER SUPPORT OFFICER
Minimum Essential Requirements / Method of Assessment
Skills/Knowledge / (e.g. Interview, Application form, test, assessment, etc)
Good interpersonal skills with the ability to relate easily and well to young people and adults at both individual and group level / Interview
Good speaking and listening skills / Interview
Ability to plan, implement and evaluate learning activities / Application form/ Interview
Good ICT skills and can use ICT and other technology equipment to support learning / Application form/ Interview
Good practical and organisational skills to contribute to the preparation and management of education resources / Application form/ Interview
Ability to complete and maintain learners records / Application form/ Interview
Has a caring positive attitude to the welfare and needs of young learners / Interview
Can maintain trust and confidentiality where appropriate / Interview
Knowledge of the Playing for Success initiative and the wider role of study support in raising achievement / Application form/ Interview
Experience/Qualifications/Training etc.
(if any)
Relevant qualifications include
  • Very good literacy / numeracy skills
  • NVQ 3 for teaching assistants or equivalent qualifications or experience
  • Training in relevant learning strategies eg literacy, numeracy, ICT and/or learning area
  • Appropriate First Aid training
  • Mentoring training or experience
  • ICT qualifications or experience
/ Application form
Minimum of 1 year’s recent experience of working with young people to increase their skills and develop their learning potential / Application form / Interview
Experience of organising, delivering and evaluating learning activities / Application form / Interview
Experience of supervising young people and managing their behaviour in a reasonable manner / Interview
Successful experience of working as part of a team / Application form / Interview
Work Related Circumstances
(including Working Conditions)
Willingness to work flexible hours on a regular basis including evening and weekend work / Interview
Ability to travel to a variety of locations across the city / Interview
Can maintain personal presentation that sets high standards for young learners / Interview
Can work within the spirit of the City Council and PfS policies to do with Equal Opportunities, Child Protection, H&S, Finance, Smoking etc / Application form / Interview

The post will be based at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield although the post holder will be required to attend meetings and support programmes at other locations. It is envisaged that the PfS Centres will operate throughout the year during the daytime and evenings including school holidays and weekends (subject to availability due to host organisation requirements).

March 2008