About

• JOB DESCRIPTION
• RESPONSIBLE TO: Head of Statutory Assessment and Review Service
• JOB PURPOSE
• The position will will have responsibility for supporting the Senior Adviser & Adviser on all work associated with SEND Implementation and Development and SEN Advice and Information, as set out in the SEND Act (NI) 2016. The successful applicant will be required to have a sound knowledge of current legislation and policy development as it relates to Special Educational Needs and demonstrate an ability to manage a range of engagements, while modelling standards of excellence in relation to improving SEN engagement and outcomes. It will be important to have a clear understanding of the Statutory Assessment process so that it can be clearly communicated to a range of stakeholders.
• 1. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• To assist the Head of Statutory Assessment and Review Service, Senior Adviser and Adviser to ensure that the EA makes advice and information accessible to all relevant stakeholders and where possible use a mixture of different methods of delivery

Provide advice and information which is

• impartial, free and confidential;
• clear, unambiguous and standardised across Northern Ireland;
• is free from jargon and written in a way suitable to its audience;
• available in a variety of formats which are accessible by and relevant to the needs of all users;
• accurate, reviewed and kept up to date in line with changing procedures;
• provided by suitably trained staff who are able to deal with queries efficiently and effectively;
• contains contact details for relevant EA staff; and
• refers to and gives contact details for other relevant agencies and voluntary organisations who can assist if appropriate.

Ensure Equality of Access to SEN Advice and Information to

• groups of parents and children who may have difficulty in gaining access to the advice and information. Such groups may include those for whom English is not their first language (known as Newcomers) and those who may themselves have SEN and/or a disability; and
• parents who, for one reason or another, may have difficulty accessing advice and information.
• Support the Senior Adviser & Adviser in the implementation of strategy, policy and processes to facilitate the SEND Act (NI) 2016 implementation, including working co-jointly with other officers across the CYPS Directorate so that consistent and cohesive processes are established;
• Comply with all relevant EA regulations and procedures as well as all aspects of DE guidance and statutory frameworks as they apply to this area;
• Act as a regional point of contact for all matters pertaining to SEN engagement and liaison.
• 2. TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING
• Work as part of a team to develop and deliver capacity building and training programmes to EA staff, Principals, Boards of Governors and in particular SENCOs (Learning Support Coordinators), and external partners, e.g. Allied Health Professionals from Health and Social Care Trusts;
• Prepare support materials to assist pupils with SEN (as appropriate), to participate and have their voice heard in all levels of decision making in regard to meeting their SEN needs, including appeals to SENDIST;
• Prepare materials to assist parents who are concerned that their children may have learning needs;
• Support schools in developing parent friendly policies and practices; and
• Encourage schools to make parents, young people and children aware of the advice and information which is available from the EA .
• 3.ENGAGEMENT, MONITORING AND REVIEW
• Support senior staff in putting in place suitable arrangements for ongoing monitoring, evaluation and review of the effectiveness and delivery of its provision of advice and information.
• Compile reports and keep up-to-date records in relation to the SEN Helpdesk; and
• Contribute to the development of Outcomes Based Accountability frameworks for measuring outcomes for children and young people.
• Assist in the facilitation of engagement with schools, children and young people, parents and other partners in relation to SEND and associated support and outcomes;
• Assist with liaising with colleagues in Health and Social Care to develop collaborative processes for SEN Advice and Information and SEND implementation, , in line with the Duty to Co-operate;
• Contribute to the facilitation of efficient and robust collation and analysis of all related information and data
• Contribute to awareness-raising seminars and events for parents to inform and clarify the process and procedures in relation to all areas of the SEN framework;
• 4.SERVICE DEVELOPMENT & QUALITY ASSURANCE
• Ensure effective and rigorous quality assurance systems to maintain high standards;
• Establish and facilitate parent focus groups in a number of locations regionally, and use feedback provided to identify areas for improvement, as well as examples of good practice, through informal and formal feedback mechanisms.
• Participate in review processes to enable the development, review and compliance of all quality assurance policies and procedures;
• Foster and facilitate the development of staff skills in the effective use of technology, in particular presentation software, and in relation to negotiating and collaborating with a range of stakeholders and professionals;
• Attend courses and conferences in the area of Special Educational Needs as deemed appropriate by your line manager;
• Assist in responding to external queries and correspondence on relevant issues, including provision of information for responses to Assembly Questions, Freedom of Information requests and complaints relating to the work of the Directorate;
• 5.OTHER DUTIES
• Comply with EA policies and procedures in relation to the duties and responsibilities of the post;
• Assist the Head of Service and Senior Advisers in responding to complaints and correspondence pertinent to the Statutory Services Division ;
• Staff the SEN Helpdesk on a rota basis
• The AAO may be required to undertake some evening work;
• Any such other duties that the EA may from time to time require. process .
• This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.
• In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.
• To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here.

• PERSON SPECIFICATION
• NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS
• 1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.
• 2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
• 3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
• 4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
• 5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
• 6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria.

• Section 1 - Essential Criteria
• The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
• Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment
• Qualifications/
• Experience
• Hold a teaching qualification which meets the requirements for recognition to teach in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland
• Have five years’ teaching experience working in a professional capacity as a SENCo or a teacher of pupils with special educational needs within the last ten years, where the delivery of special education support to teachers and/or pupils in school is a core aspect of the work
• Have demonstrable experience of using Management Information Systems

• Shortlisting by Application Form

• Knowledge
• Knowledge of the requirements of legislation and statutory guidance as it relates to pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
• Knowledge of the main issues in schools in regard to the management of SEN and major current and anticipated issues for SEND Implementation
• Shortlisting by Application Form

• Other

The successful candidate will be required

• to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion;
• OR
• be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion.

• Shortlisting by Application Form

• Section 2 - Essential Criteria
• The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model.
• Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment
• Knowledge
• Knowledge of DE guidance and statutory frameworks as they apply to this area
• Demonstrable knowledge of specific strategies and methods for capacity building, assessment, support and intervention for schools

• Interview

• Skills/
• Abilities

In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of

• Demonstrate ability to work within a multi-disciplinary approach to achieve positive outcomes for Children and Young People
• Proven ability to achieve targets and objectives within a demanding and pressurised environment against challenging deadlines and through engaging team members
• Ability to put processes in place to evaluate the effectiveness of new processes under SEND implementation and associated frameworks
• Ability to lead, motivate and communicate effectively
• Ability to work flexibly, confidently and enthusiastically

• Interview/Presentation

• Values Orientation
• Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values. You will find information about our Values here.

• Interview

• Section 3 - Desirable Criteria
• Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
• Factor Desirable Criteria Method of Assessment
• Experience
• Evidence of delivery of support to teachers of pupils with special educational needs

• Shortlisting by Application Form

• Our Values

• Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.
• DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
• The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.
• In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.
• Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.
• APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES
• To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here.
• To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here
• The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.