Learner Support Worker

Job Description

1.  Title Learner Support Worker

2.  Hours 40 hours per week (8.30am – 4.30pm Monday –Friday)

Term time only + 32 days holiday + 8 Bank Holidays

(Pro rata 0.9041)

3.  Base St. John’s School or College (as an essential part of your work you will be required to work at any St. John’s premises

or in the community)

4.  Salary St. John’s Grade and Pay Scale: Grade 6; starting salary

£14,881, plus market rate supplement of £515 per annum. Pro rata actual salary (£15,396 x 0.9041= £13,919)

5.  Accountability Vice Principals

6.  Reports to Teaching Staff/Pathway Leaders

7.  Liaises With Learners and their families

St. John’s Managers, staff teams, external partners.

Job Summary

Learner Support Workers work under specific supervision and guidance from the Education and Therapy teams, to support the teaching and learning activities of learners both in the College and/or School and out in the community. Our learners have a range of complex needs and learning difficulties. Our aim is to promote the inclusion of all learners ensuring they have equal access to opportunities to become as independent as possible.

This is an outline Job description and may be subject to change, according to the needs of the service, in consultation with the post holder. This job description details only the main duties & responsibilities of the post, it is not intended as an exhaustive list, the duties will be discussed at your performance management review and you are required to consider its content as part of any self-review process prior to a performance management interview.

This job description forms part of your Terms and Conditions of Employment and should be kept with a copy of your contract.

General Duties

The role of Learner Support Worker is important in ensuring that the School and College meet the educational, social, emotional and physical needs of all Learners. St. John’s aims to work on a ‘team approach’ but there are specific roles and responsibilities attached to this post.

Learner Support Workers shall have due regard to the following best practice requirements;

·  having regard to and observing all matters relating to the St. John’s policies and procedures;

·  having regard to, and observing all matters relating to the St. John’s supporting behaviour policy and, as an essential part of your work, demonstrate respect, and ensure dignity of the individual learners; promoting self-esteem, positive self-image and potential achievements ;

·  undertaking such duties as may be deemed appropriate by Line Manager

·  be part of the organisation’s supervision and annual performance review programme;

·  Maintain clear regular (weekly) communication with relevant colleagues.

Section B - Responsibilities particularly relating to the post

Common to all staff

·  having regard to and observing all matters relating to the school/college’s health and safety policy on the organisation’s premises and when accompanying learners off site or in the community.

·  having regard to and observing all matters relating to the organisation’s behavioural/support policy and, as an essential part of your work, promote self-esteem and maximum independence in all our learners;

·  undertaking such duties as may be deemed appropriate by the Director of Education/Director of Integrated Services;

·  be part of the college’s appraisal/supervision programme;

·  be responsible to your line manager for the quality of your performance in this post

On campus

·  supporting efficient procedures within the session by undertaking routine tasks such as the organisation of resources, furniture and equipment;

·  supporting individual learners or groups of learners under the direction and oversight of the session leader or other member of the staff;

·  delivering teaching programmes prepared by members of staff for individual learners or groups of learners;

·  contribution to the teaching of embedded Literacy, Numeracy and ICT;

·  supporting learners during teaching sessions;

·  supporting learners behaviour during teaching sessions or other group activities;

·  Undertake learner observation and keep appropriate records under the guidance of the session leader.

·  Provide supervisory cover in the event of Annual Reviews or absence of the teacher for 10% of your contracted time.

Off campus

·  supervising individual learners or groups of learners during break times and at lunchtime.

·  supervising individual learners or groups of learners when off site – this may include supporting a learners programme when at another local college, on recreational trips, in the community or when undertaking work experience.

·  supervising learners between arrival/departure by taxi or public transport.

General duties

·  undertake duties relating to the physical care of learners (toileting, washing, dressing and feeding) that support a learners attendance.

·  Support with physical interventions when necessary to ensure the safety of Learners and other staff.

·  undertake duties relating to the medical care of learners that supports a learner’s attendance as directed by Medical/Therapy staff;

·  observing, monitoring and supporting learners in order to support their attendance;

·  supporting the specific learning needs of learners in order to support their attendance;

·  track the progress of individual learners and report progress to the tutor, Assistant Director of Learning/Director of Integrated Services and parents at review meetings;

·  support/implement personal or group programmes that have been designed by members of the Medical/Therapy team;

·  be aware of and follow those safety measures prescribed for supervising learners when leaving or joining transport;

·  undertake to receive such training and other support that is made available on induction and on other occasions. Training required of the post holder will include St. John’s Induction Training, Team Teach (2 day), First Aid training, Basic Food Hygiene and Safeguarding training.

Section C - Continuing Professional Development

·  Actively participate in St. John’s Inset training programme participating in all mandatory trainings offered by the organisation.

·  Identify personal development needs with particular focus on knowledge required for working with students with complex needs.

Section D

Additional Responsibilities

The post holder should demonstrate the ability to:

Work for results
1A.Planning & Delivery of Work / Plans and organises work effectively to consistently achieve individual, team and organisational objectives to agreed deadlines
1B. Problem Solving & Decision Making / Makes timely and informed decisions applying the appropriate level of critical thinking and analysis
1C. Managing People & Performance / Identifies, prioritises and effectively manages resources (people, budgets, equipment, time, space) to achieve consistently high productivity and performance
1D. Embraces Change / Acknowledges the need to achieve positive change and challenges existing practices.
Work well with others
2A.Communication / Conveys information effectively and efficiently with good verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills. The ability to successfully facilitate the sharing of information.
2B. Building Relationships and Team Working / Actively builds and maintains positive relationships with others and values collaboration.
2C. Respects Others / Promotes equality of opportunity; treating all people with fairness, dignity and respect. Challenges discriminatory behaviour, and upholds and fosters diversity.
Work Professionally
3A. Developing Self & Others / Displays an on-going commitment and ownership of learning and improvement to self and team
3B. Learner Centred Approach / Adopts a learner centred approach in all aspects of work.
3C. Demonstrates Motivation & Resilience / Consistently motivated, committed and is able to perform all duties in all situations.
3D. Acts with Integrity & Trust / Consistently acts in a principled, open and conscientious manner and challenges unacceptable behaviour.
3E. Professional Standards & Competencies / Adheres to and is an exemplary example of professional standards (Teachers, Care, HR). Consistently works to the values and ethos of St John’s

Learner Support Worker

Personal Specification

Criteria / Essential / Desirable
Education, Vocational Training & Qualifications / GCSE English & Maths (minimum C grade)
GCSE ICT / Y / Y
Vocational experience
Willingness to take on job related training. / Y / Y
Experience / Relevant experience or a commitment to working with young people with Learning disabilities
Experience of providing support and enablement services. / Y
Knowledge &
Understanding / Knowledge of managing challenging behaviour.
Knowledge of learning disabilities. / Y
Y
Technical Skills & Abilities
Ability to keep records using ICT. Preparing necessary resources. / Y
Interpersonal Skills
Good communication skills, practical skills and being able to work as part of a team. The ability to maintain positive working relationships with a wide range of staff. Patience and understanding of working with your people with learning disabilities. To communicate relevant information to relevant colleagues and external agencies. / Y
Motivation & commitment
Commitment to working and supporting young people to become as independent as possible. / Y
Other
/ Awareness of the importance of confidentiality. / Y