Primary - Visual Impairment Specialist Support Assistant

Job Description

This role is to work at Grove House Primary School Resourced Provision for Vision Impaired Children and young People. The role is required until end of this Academic year and the person needs to be able to commit to that full length of time as we need someonewho will get to know the childrens needsSupporting children with a Visual Impairment to access education and assist with the care and manual handling needs of pupils as and when neededMain Responsibilities of Post

1. Supervise and provide specialist support for pupils with vision impairment, ensuring their safety and access to learning activities and promote the inclusion and acceptance of all pupils within the school.

1. Assist with the development and implementation of individual programmes of work, as detailed in the EHCP, and to include braille / tactile/ habilitation programmes.

1. Provide feedback to pupils in relation to progress and achievement under guidance of the teacher, and encourage pupils to interact with others and engage in activities led by the teacher.

1. Accurately record and provide detailed and regular feedback to teachers on pupils achievement, progress, problems and other relevant issues.

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1. Promote good pupil behaviour, dealing promptly with conflict and incidents in line with established policy and encourage pupils to take responsibility for their own behaviour

1. Prepare, maintain and use specialist equipment required to meet the lesson plan / relevant learning activity and assist pupils in their use.
2. Prepare, maintain and use specialist curriculum resources required to meet the lesson plan / relevant learning activity and assist pupils in their use.
3. Support the use of ICT and specialist technology in learning activities and develop pupils competence and independence in its use.

1. Provide clerical and admin support e.g. photocopying, typing, filing, displays and other relevant tasks, which support the work of the ARC.

1. Be aware of and comply with School policies and procedures relating to child protection, safeguarding, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.

1. Attend and participate in relevant meetings as required and participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required.

1. Assist with the supervision of pupils out of lesson times, including before and after school and at lunchtime.

1. Accompany teaching staff and pupils on visits, trips and out of school activities and take responsibility for a group under the supervision of the teacher.

In order to facilitate 12 and 13, additional hours will be paid at the hourly rate when appropriate, in negotiation with the ARC Team Leader in advance of the event taking place.

1. Any other duties as directed by the senior leadership team of the ARC / Sensory Service

A Band 6 SSA will also:

• Be responsible for maintaining records, information and data, producing analysis and reports as required
• Assist in the development of lessons, worksheets, programmes for implementation
• Implement lessons, worksheets and programmes under the guidance of a teacher
• Attend planning meetings and carry out related tasks as directed by a teacher

In order to progress from Band 5 to Band 6 SSAs will need to provide evidence of :-

• A braille qualification, either RNIB or Positive Eye
• Completion of an accredited course for teaching assistants working with children with visual impairment, eg RNIB Partners in Learning, RNIB on-line courses, Positive Eye, or equivalent
• Other short accredited courses, ie Mobility / Habilitation

SSAs who can demonstrate and evidence the above, will be able to progress to band 6, and will be asked to take on an area of responsibility, to be agreed with the ARC team Leader, but which could include:

• Planning and delivering a life skills programme, in consultation with the Senior Habilitation Officer
• Developing playtime / break / lunchtime activities
• Providing support at lunchtimes, to teach daily living / eating skills
• Monitoring mobility around school, under the direction of the Senior Habilitation Officer
• Planning and delivering a social skills programme, in consultation with a QTVI
• Being a named link to a Secondary department
• Overseeing pastoral care for a Key Stage
• Developing links with parents
• Managing resources

ARC team leaders will discuss areas of responsibility with individual staff, and thesemay change, depending on annual priorities.

Keyskills :
AssistantsBehaviourConfidentialityPupilYoung People