Magdalen House (On-Site)
Permanent, Full time, Term time
Enhanced DBS check required
Grade G, Scale Point Range 20 - 25, Salary Range £30,296 - £33,945 Pro Rata, Term time only (pay award pending)
36 hours
Sensory Support Worker - Braillist
We understand that there are very few qualified braillists, so we would welcome applications from experienced teaching assistants of any age group with a willingness and capacity to train for the UEB Braille qualifications. The successful candidate should be comfortable working with technology and will be willing and able to learn to use specialist technology both to prepare learning materials and to support learning. The post involves working for the Vision Impairment and Hearing Needs Teams in schools across the borough. In return, you will learn lifelong specialist skills that make a real difference to children and young people and become part of a friendly and highly motivated team. The successful candidate will be supported through an enhanced induction and be given some directed working time to complete the Braille course. Candidates should note that successful completion of the Braille course is regarded as a competency for the post.
Full time position – NJC pay scales
Permanent
We require a qualified Teaching Assistant with the willingness and capacity to train for the mandatory Braille qualification (and so become a competent, grade 2 Braillist). The ideal candidate will have well-developed problem solving, organisational and learning support skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team. The ideal candidate will demonstrate fairness, openness, a high degree of integrity and a commitment to make a difference to the education of children and young people with additional needs.
If the successful candidate does not hold the mandatory Braille qualification, they will be expected (and supported) to achieve this. This will include an expectation to become proficient in Braille and the use of access technology.
About the Service
Sefton Inclusion Service is looking to appoint an enthusiastic teaching assistant who is qualified, or willing to train to achieve, the mandatory UEB Braille qualification, to join the Sensory Service, working for the Vision Impairment Team and Hearing Needs Team. The teams work across the authority within the home, pre-school, school, and college settings supporting the educational, social, and emotional needs of children and young people with diagnosed vision impairment and / or hearing needs.
We are seeking candidates that are committed to:
- facilitating the inclusion of children and young people who have vision / hearing needs in a range of informal and educational settings – nursery, mainstream and special - providing teaching support as required.
- having high expectations of children and young people with vision / hearing needs
- improving outcomes for children and young people with vision / hearing needs from 0 -19 (25 with EHCP).
- empowering those working with children and young people with vision hearing needs through support and advice.
- providing family-centred support for children and young people on caseload.
About the Role
You will be required to provide specialist support to children and young people (up to age 25 with EHCP) on the VI and HN caseloads across the borough. This involves supporting the pupils in participating in class teaching activities, providing support to pupils or groups as appropriate to encourage independence and social interaction. It will also involve supporting early sensory development; supporting pupils in the use of specialist formats (such as Braille); supporting pupils’ skills in the use of technology, including using specific technology to enable pupils to access learning and recording work through Braille.
This involves identifying and meeting the needs of visually impaired pupils to enable them to overcome potential barriers to learning and social inclusion; to make progress and be successfully included in the full range of educational settings. This includes the use of specialist tech, Braille and other bespoke approaches, incorporating these into everyday practice for pupils with vision impairment / hearing needs. There will be an expectation to travel independently to a variety of locations in the local authority.
The role of the Sensory Support worker - Braillist
There will be a short presentation on the role of the Sensory Support Worker - Braillist, explaining the nature of the work and the skills and attributes that contribute to the success of the team. The presentation will be on Tuesday 8th October, 4-5pm at the Professional Development Centre, 225 Park Lane, Formby, L37 6EW. You do not need to book on this session, but it would be helpful for planning purposes if you could email Neil to inform him of your intention to attend.
For further information please contact Neil Farmer: neil.farmer@sefton.gov.uk : Tel: 07815 465594
Safeguarding
Sefton Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
This post involves working with children and therefore if successful you will be required to apply for a disclosure of criminal records check at an enhanced level. Further information about the Disclosure Scheme can be found at www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check.
Equal Opportunities
Please note that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for these jobs (as given in the Person Specification) and who want to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme will be invited to interview.
How to apply
Please apply online via the link provided.
Please note, we do not accept CV’s (unless specified on the advert).
Please fully complete the online application form.
Guidance_Notes_Completing_an_Application_Form_Jan_2024.pdf
Job_Description_SSW-Braillist.pdf
Person_Spec_Sefton_SSW-Braillist.pdf