JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:	Teaching Assistant (Special School,Occasional Cover, with first aid) Level 3	
Grade:

Salary: 	5

 SCP 16 – SCP 20	

Conditions of Service:   	
Support Staff Contract of Employment	
Responsible to:	Principal	
Statement of Purpose 
To work, under direct instruction of specialist needs teaching staff, usually in the classroom with the teacher. Provide specific support in addressing the needs of pupils who need particular help to overcome barriers to learning. Assist specialist needs teachers in the following:

Supporting Pupils
•	Provide pastoral support to pupils within the school environment.
•	Receive and supervise pupils excluded from, or otherwise not working to, a normal timetable.
•	Attend to pupils’ personal needs and provide advice to assist in their social, health and hygiene development on a daily basis.
•	Care for pupils who are critically or terminally ill.
•	Participate in the comprehensive assessment of pupils to determine those in need of particular help.
•	In conjunction with the teacher the development and implementation of Individual Education/
•	Behaviour/Support/Mentoring plans.
•	Support provision for pupils with additional needs.
•	Develop 1:1 mentoring arrangements with pupils and provide support for distressed pupils.
•	Use specialist knowledge/experience to provide appropriate support to pupils in relation to their individual needs (e.g. daily exercise programme).
•	Provide feedback to pupils and teachers in relation to progress, achievement, behaviour, attendance etc.

Support for the Teacher
•	To act as Cover Supervisor during teacher absence under the direction of a teacher/designated member of staff. Cover will be in accordance with the nationally agreed protocols and as provided for in the Education Act 2002. (The role of Cover Supervisor will be to supervise and take sole responsibility, for short term cover only, for a class/group who are undertaking preplanned work or where pupils are able to undertake effective, self directed learning 1 [1].)
•	Support pupils’ access to learning using appropriate strategies, resources etc.
•	Work with other staff in planning, evaluating and adjusting learning activities as appropriate.
•	Monitor and evaluate pupils’ responses and progress against action plans through observation and planned recording under the supervision of a teacher.
•	Support the teacher in providing objective and accurate feedback and reports as required, to other staff on pupils’ achievement, progress and other matters, ensuring the availability of appropriate evidence (e.g. Headteacher).
•	Assist in keeping and updating records as agreed with other staff, contributing to reviews of systems/records as requested.
•	Assist in the development and implementation of appropriate behaviour management
•	strategies.
•	Establish constructive relationships with parents/carers, exchanging information, facilitating their support for their child’s attendance, access and learning and supporting home to school and community links.
•	Assist the teacher in the development, implementation and monitoring of systems relating to attendance and integration.
•	Clerical/admin support relating to classroom activity e.g. dealing with correspondence, compilation/analysis/reporting on attendance, exclusions etc, and making phone calls etc.
•	Co-ordinate and organise pupils attending extra curricular activities/work experience or other out of school activities under guidance of teacher.

Support for the Curriculum
•	Implement agreed learning activities/teaching programmes under direction of teacher.
•	To be aware of and appreciate a range of activities, courses, organisations and individuals to provide support for pupils.
•	Under direction of teacher determine the need for, prepare and use specialist equipment, plans and resources to support pupils.

Support to First Aid
•	Under the direction of the school nurse administer controlled medication.
•	Maintain the MAR/Charts and controlled drugs registers.
•	Responsible for logging in and out of school medication.
•	Implement the school medication policy when administering and storing the medication.
•	Report any concerns to the school nurse.

Support to School (this list is not exhaustive and should reflect the ethos of the school)
•	Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young persons you are responsible for or come into contact with.
•	Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
•	Be aware of and support difference and ensure all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop.
•	Liaise effectively with teachers/parents/guardians, welfare officers, health visitors and other professional staff as part of the routine consultative process.
•	Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the school.
•	Attend relevant meetings as required.1
•	Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required (see footnote 1).
•	Assist with the supervision of pupils out of lesson times, including before and after school and at lunchtimes.
•	Recognise own strengths and areas of expertise and use these to advice and support others.

1 Every effort should be made to ensure support is within contractual hours

Note 
The job holder will be expected to undertake any other duties which are not specifically listed but are within the remit, responsibility and accountability of the job.  

Person Specification  

Minimum Criteria for Two Ticks *	
Criteria	
Measured by
APP/I/ASS	
	Experience
•	Experience of working with pupils with additional needs.	
APP/I	
	Qualifications/Training
•	Very good numeracy/literacy skills equivalent to GCSE C and above.
•	NVQ 3 for Teaching Assistant (or recognised equivalent
qualification).
•	Training in the relevant strategies e.g. literacy and/or in
•	particular curriculum or learning area such as bilingual, sign language, dyslexia, ICT, CACHE, etc.	
APP/I	
	Knowledge/Skills
•	Understanding of relevant policies/codes of practice.
•	Good understanding of areas of learning, e.g. literacy,
numeracy, science, SEN, Early Years.
•	Understanding of principles of child development and
learning processes and in particular, barriers to learning.
•	Effective use of ICT to support learning.
•	Use of other equipment technology – video, photocopier.
•	Excellent interpersonal skills to be able to relate well to a
wide range of people.
•	Work constructively as part of a team whilst being able to
demonstrate initiative.
•	Good communication skills.
•	Willing to work towards NVQ Level 3 or recognised
equivalent.	APP/I	

	Behavioural Attributes
•	Customer focused.
•	Has a professional and respectful approach, which demonstrates support and shows mutual respect.
•	Can demonstrate active listening skills.
•	Takes responsibility and accountability.
•	Committed to the needs of the pupils, parents and other stakeholders. 
•	Demonstrates a positive attitude including suggesting solutions, participating, trusting and encouraging others and achieving expectations.
•	Is committed to the provision and improvement of quality service provision.
•	Is adaptable to change/embraces and welcomes change. 
•	Is enthusiastic and decisive.
•	Communicates effectively.
•	Has the ability to learn from experiences and challenges.
•	Is committed to the continuous development of self and others by keeping up to date and sharing knowledge, encouraging new ideas, seeking new opportunities and challenges, open to ideas and developing new skills.	
APP / I 	

MEASURED BY KEY:
APP = Application form 	ASS = Assessment activities  	I = Formal interview
In addition to candidates’ ability to perform the duties of the post, the interview will explore issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children including:
•	Motivation to work with children and young people
•	Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people
•	Attitudes to the use of authority and maintaining discipline
•	The post holder will be required to have an enhanced DBS check

If a disabled person meets the criteria indicated by the ‘Two Ticks’ symbol and provides evidence of this on their application form they will be guaranteed an interview. 

HH   25/02/2021