Test Another Assistant (0.6)

he purpose of this post is to identify and provide for the additional learning support needs of individual students so that they enjoy a successful time at the College. The post holder will work to the Director of Student Services and, as part of the wider Student Services team will co-ordinate others whose work is similarly oriented. This comprises a learning support assistant and two learning zone supervisors. The main thrust of the post is to ensure students have their support needs identified and provided for, so that they thrive on their courses. The role also involves diagnosing students’ needs in relation to the access arrangements for their examinations and liaising with the College Examinations Officer to ensure these are in place. As a consequence, we would like the post holder to have or be prepared to work towards the required certification.

Main Responsibilities and Duties

• Liaise with Director of Student Services regarding Admissions and pre-entry support and guidance.

• Make contact with School SENCOs and Heads of Year 11 to ensure smooth transition to the College for High Needs Learners and those with Education Health Care Plans.

• Carry out initial support assessments and literacy screening for all new students.

• Use diagnostic testing (if qualified) to identify students with specific learning difficulties.

• Collate medical information using the College systems.

• Co-ordinate staff offering additional support.

• Plan support for students with teaching staff, personal tutors and learning zone mentors.

• Timetable additional support sessions for students.

• Maintain contact with students’ families as appropriate.

• Liaise with the Exams Officer and prepare, maintain and submit evidence for awarding bodies.

• Contact education psychologists, physiotherapists and other specialist agencies when appropriate.

• Develop and deliver one-to-one programmes for students as well as specialist study skills workshops, small group and in-class teaching programmes for students.

• Promote use of ICT packages and other resources for students.

• Contribute to there being an inclusive learning ethos across the College through work with individual teachers and wider college inset on supporting students.

• Keep abreast of legislative and policy changes in this area and communicate their implications for the College and its students.

• Liaise with universities regarding the progression of students to H.E.

• Attend college events such as parents’ evenings, student social events and trips as necessary.

• Play a key role in promoting safeguarding issues to all staff and students, and be fully aware of the College’s referral procedures.

• Contribute to the provision of holistic support for students by meeting and working with the wider Student Services team.

• Analyse data to identify and support students’ needs and keep it in a way which provides evidence for the needs of audit and other purposes.

• Supervise the administration and record keeping for ALS.

• Contribute to the College’s quality assurance process through evaluation of the student experience and the collation of appropriate data.

Additional

• Be a personal tutor to a group of students.

• Carry out duties at all times in accordance with the College’s Equality and other policies and procedures.

• Promote the mission and values of the College in both deed and example

Essential Requirements

• Degree or equivalent professional training.
• Experience of working with young people with Additional Learning Support needs (including Specific Learning Difficulties, Disabilities, and Aspergers Syndrome).
• Understanding of how to help students with specific needs progress on their programmes.
• Qualified to carry out tests for examination concessions or the willingness to achieve the required certification.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent inter-personal skills and emotional intelligence as well as experience of working effectively within a team.
• Enthusiasm and commitment to helping students achieve their full potential.
• Effective time management skills and the ability to work under pressure.
• A detailed understanding of safeguarding issues.
• Experience of promoting inclusion, diversity and equality.
• Effective administrative and ICT skills.

Desirable

• Experience of working with post-16 students in a school or college setting.
• Experience of coordinating and timetabling Learning Support Assistants.
• Experience of preparing and maintaining evidence for awarding bodies and familiarity with requirements over access arrangements.
• Experience of developing the skills of teachers and other colleagues
• Ability to ascertain the support requirements of students through interviewing, informal meetings and by talking to other professionals.