SPRINGMEAD PRIMARY SCHOOL

TITLE OF JOB:TEACHING ASSISTANT

SPECIAL NEEDS SUPPORT

LOCATION:PRIMARY SUPPORT BASE (PSB) AND

OTHER LOCAL SCHOOLS FOR CHILDREN

ON EXTENDED ROLL

GRADE:H4 –H5 rising to H5*

1JOB OUTLINE

1 a)REASON JOB EXISTS

  • To support the education of pupils who need particular help to overcome barriers to learning, including emotional and behavioural difficulties.

1 b)DUTIES*

  • Proactively promote the nurturing environment of the Primary Support Base in order to secure progress for our pupils in self-regulation, self-esteem.
  • Deliver personalised curriculums under the guidance of the PSB teacher and leader to secure ‘closing the gap’ progression in levels of attainment.
  • Attend weekly team meetings after school (currently on Wednesdays until 4:30pm).
  • Attend to pupils’ personal needs, including social, health, hygiene, first-aid and welfare matters.
  • Assist with the planning, delivery and review of individual learning support plans (or other pupil-specific plans).
  • Monitor and evaluate pupils’ progress and maintain pupil records.
  • Use specialist knowledge or experience to support pupils’ learning and their development of self-regulation.
  • Liaise with parents, carers and professional staff (such as educational psychologists) in order to promote the learning objectives of each pupil.
  • Use initiative to develop and implement actions that will promote the integration of the pupil with his/her peers.
  • Work in other local schools without the direct support or supervision of PSB teaching staff on extended roll in schools in DSPL5.
  • Provide clerical/administrative support to the assigned teacher, eg photocopying, typing, filing and record-keeping.
  • Complete behaviour logs with PSB teacher/leader support.

1 c)EQUALITIES

  • Be aware of and support difference and ensure that pupils have equality of access to opportunities to learn and develop.

1 d)HEALTH AND SAFETY

  • Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection; and report all concerns to an appropriate person.

1 e)DISCLOSURES AND BARRING

  • This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with children or vulnerable adults and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. An enhanced disclosure will be sought through the DBS as part of Hertfordshire County Council’s pre-employment checks. Please note that additional information referring to the Criminal records Bureau is in the guidance notes to the application form. If you are invited to an interview you will receive more information.

1 f)ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • The Primary Support Base encourages a positive attitude and approach at all times, promoting an atmosphere in which children can raise their self esteem and develop high expectations for themselves.
  • The Primary Support Base Teaching Assistant requires a high level of resilience in dealing with children who make small steps in progressing towards managing their emotions and behaviour choices.
  • The job holder is required to contribute to and support the overall aims and ethos of the Primary Support Base and the schools in which they are working.
  • All staff are required to participate in training and other learning activities, and in performance management and development, as required by the school’s policies and practice.

The duties and responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present. The post holder is expected to accept any reasonable alterations that may from time to time by necessary.

2ORGANISATION CHART

Head Teacher

Administrative Staff

Primary Support Base Leader/

Teaching Staff

Teaching Assistants

3SUPERVISION

  • The job holder is managed by the Primary Support Base Leader or base teacher.
  • The frequency of meetings is determined by the school’s performance management policies and practice.
  • No supervision of staff.

4JOB CONTEXT

  • The jobholder is one of a team of teachers and assistants who support the learning of pupils on the roll of the PSB. Flexibility by all staff is essential in order to meet the varied needs of pupils.
  • The jobholder is managed by the PSB Leader or base teacher but may work with other teachers within the school supporting re-integration. The jobholder works under the day-to-day direction and supervision of the teacher to whom he/she is assigned.
  • The principal focus of the job is to support individual pupils who have Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties. This requires the job holder to be able to adapt his/her work to the specific needs of the pupil (or small group of pupils).

5CONTACTS

  • The jobholder works with teachers and pupils and is likely to have frequent contact with parents, carers and visiting professional staff, such as educational psychologists and staff from other settings coming to observe best practice.

6KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

  • GCSE Grade C English and Maths or equivalent qualification.
  • Ability to use modern technology, including photocopier, video recorder and personal computer.
  • Ability to provide a positive role model and manage your own emotions so that you are able to respond in a calm and professional manner at all times.
  • Ability to work as part of a team and develop sensitive and constructive relationships with staff in other schools.
  • Previous experience of working with children with Social Emotional and Mental Health vulnerabilities.

7PHYSICAL EFFORT

  • The job may require physical intervention to ensure the safety of the child, other children, and or school property. Appropriate training will be provided, if necessary.

8WORKING ENVIRONMENT

  • The job may include clearing up blood or other bodily fluids of children.
  • A current driving license and the use of a car are essential.

* NB. Candidates may be appointed who initially are unable to fulfil all of the duties described to a sufficiently high level. This may be due to a variety of factors including, the nature of the candidate’s previous experience, and the need for induction and further training. Under these circumstances candidates should be appointed at H4 with an opportunity to move to H5 once the induction period is complete.