Job title: SEND teaching assistant  

Purpose of the role:  To work with teachers as part of a professional team to support teaching and learning for pupils with SEND. Providing learning support to the pupil who needs particular help to overcome barriers to learning, such as profound and multiple learning difficulties and/or behavioural, social, communication, sensory or physical disabilities. Post holders will help us ensure children’s individual needs are met and that the school fulfils its responsibilities under the SEND Code of Practice. This role will also involve supervising pupils at lunchtime both in the dining room and outside on the playground/field.

 Responsibilities:

• Implement planned learning activities/teaching programmes as agreed with the teacher, adjusting activities according to pupils’ responses as appropriate
• Understand specific learning needs and styles and provide differentiated support to pupils individually and within a group
• In consultation with SENCO and class teacher deliver speech and language interventions or additional interventions as appropriate
• Participate in planning and evaluating of learning activities with the teacher, providing feedback to the teacher on pupil progress and behaviour
• Support the teacher in monitoring, assessing and recording pupil progress/activities
• Monitor and record pupil responses and learning achievements, drawing any problems which cannot be resolved·
• To supervise pupils for limited and specified periods including break and lunch times when the post-holder should facilitate games and activities
•  To assist with escorting pupils on educational visits easily to the attention of the teacher
• Provide feedback in relation to attainment and progress under the guidance of the teacher
• Support learning by arranging/providing resources for lessons/activities under the direction of the teacher
• Support the pupil in social and emotional well-being, reporting problems to the teacher as appropriate
• Attend to pupils’ personal needs including toileting, hygiene, dressing and eating, as well as help with social, welfare and health matters, reporting problems to the teacher as appropriate
• Perform any other reasonable tasks requested by the Headteacher or teachers

Teachings Assistants in this role may also undertake some or all of the following:

• Administer medication in accordance with an agreed plan under direction of healthcare practitioner and following appropriate training
• Undertake moving and handling activities as required.

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.

Criminal Records Bureau

·         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 Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) as part of The Harts School Trust’s pre-employment checks.  Please note that additional information referring to the DBS is in the guidance notes to the application form.

Supervision

• The jobholder is managed by a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
• The school’s Appraisal policy and practice determine the frequency of meetings.

Contacts

• 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.

Additional Information

• The jobholder is required to contribute to and support the overall aims and ethos of the school.
• All staff are required to participate in training and other learning activities, and in Appraisal and development, as required by the school's policies and practice.

Equalities

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

 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 Disclosure and barring Service is in the guidance notes to the application form.  If you are invited to an interview you will receive more information.

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 be necessary.