Specialist Education Support Worker
Job Title: Specialist Education Support Worker
Location: North Hertfordshire - with some travel
Starting Salary: £32,076 progressing to £34,834 pa pro rata for part time
Hours: 18 per week
Contract: Fixed term contract - 2 years
Diversity: We are an inclusive employer and value a diverse workforce
This newly created post provides the opportunity to contribute to expanding an innovative provision for children in Hertfordshire. The successful candidate will join a specialist education team within the Virtual School. You will work in close partnership with health and social care professionals to support the reintegration of some of Hertfordshire’s most vulnerable young people, who, whilst they live in our home, become Looked After. This role is an expansion of the existing Bridge 2020 initiative for children in residential care. The primary focus is supporting young people to access education and return home within a 12-week period.
The post-holder will create and deliver a programme of bespoke education based on the specific needs and strengths of each child. The children and young people will be living in a new care setting that has been especially commissioned for children requiring support from Mental Health services.
You will join a team of highly experienced professionals who focus on engaging and supporting children in Hertfordshire’s residential care sector. You will be responsible for the oversight and delivery of education for a small number of children living in a residential setting.
The purpose of Bridge 2020 is to ensure the best possible outcomes for a small number of vulnerable young people who require intensive support. The children are supported by Hertfordshire County Council as Children Looked After for a short period to facilitate the most appropriate interventions.
See attachment for core responsibilities of the job.
Like all of us in the Virtual School you will naturally put the child, their voice, and their best interests at the centre of everything.
Essential:
- Qualified Teacher Status
- An understanding of the impact of trauma
- Attachment aware with a relational based teaching style
- Experience of teaching in key stage 4 curriculum
- Ability to deliver a range of subject areas including GCSE, functional skills and one other specialist area (Art or Vocational).
- Knowledge of special educational needs and the EHCP process.
- Experience in planning, delivery, assessment and ability to identify and work to close gaps in learning.
- Capability to work with children who experience poor mental health.
Desirable:
- Experience of working with children in that have had a period of inpatient care for their Mental Health.
This is a unique chance for you to help shape the future opportunities for the children you will work with. They will need your support to develop their sense of self, in order to feel able to engage in education and make steps to re-integrate into their school/education provision and return home to their families.
For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Deborah Laurie on 07812 324 615
Deborah.Laurie@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Closing date: 26th November 2023
Interviews: 13th December 2023
Benefits of working for us:
• Flexible Working Arrangements (depending on the role)
• Excellent Career Development
• Salary Exchange for Additional Benefits
• Excellent Pension Scheme with Employer Contributions
• Shopping Discounts
• Support Groups & Wellbeing Schemes
Disability Confident: We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
English Fluency: The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.
Safeguarding: Safeguarding children and adults is of utmost importance to Hertfordshire County Council. The Council requires employees to abide by legislation and best practice to enable Hertfordshire to achieve this. This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. For more information Click Here
Fixed Term and/or Secondment: This is a Fixed Term or Secondment vacancy. If you work for HCC or any other Local Authority and would like to be considered as a Secondment contract, please ensure you complete the attached Secondment Form as part of your application. If you do not, your application will be considered as a Fixed Term Contract only.
CS Roles Only: We expect all Children Services employees to fulfil Hertfordshire's Professional Promise for how children, young people & young adults with special educational needs and / or disabilities and their families should be treated. It is our agreement to place families and children at the centre of what we do, and helps parents and carers to understand and be able to hold us to account for how we provide our services. For further information please visit: ‘Professional Promise’
How to Apply
As part of the application, you will be required to upload your most recent CV ensuring gaps in employment have been addressed and to answer the 4 key questions which are located at the end of the advert page in 'Available Documents'.