PERSON SPECIFICATION

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.

The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage.

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.

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

JOB PURPOSE

To provide a complementary service to existing teachers and pastoral staff in the schools, addressing the needs of the children who need help to overcome barriers to learning both inside and outside the school, in order to achieve their full potential.

She/he will work intensively with young people who have been identified as requiring intervention. The particular emphasis of this work is to provide a nurturing environment to help these pupils achieve their academic potential by minimising learning barriers. This will be done by delivering ‘needs led’ programmes of support in a diverse way. This will involve working with parents and a range of partners who will form a support structure and will be multi-disciplinary in nature.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Work with Pupils and Parents

· To develop a one to one mentoring relationship with young people needing particular support where necessary aimed at achieving agreed goals.

· To work with small groups of young people needing support.

· To ensure the development of ‘needs led’ programmes in support of young people including programmes that are curriculum related and have a direct relationship to work that is ongoing in the school.

· To provide support to young people in a variety of ways and within a flexible working approach.

· To have knowledge and appreciation of the range of activities, courses, opportunities, organisations and individuals that could be drawn upon to provide extra support for pupils.

· To develop and co-ordinate a peer mentoring programme in school.

Work with parent/carers

· To maintain regular contact with families/carers of young people in need of extra support, to keep them informed of the young person’s needs and progress and to secure positive family support and involvement.

· To negotiate home visits in order to establish relationships based on respect and trust with parents/carers of families.

· To develop a parent’s resource point in school to include a range of materials reflecting the different facets of support and programming aimed at supporting young people and their parents and which can be used by parents at home.

Working in partnership

· To liaise with relevant agencies/disciplines to promote an integrated, holistic approach to service delivery and ensure that there is a wide resource pool to support the programme.

· To establish links with current partnership groups e.g. community after school provision.

· To work collaboratively with current in-house support structures.

· To promote active co-operation between the home, school and community in supporting vulnerable children.

· To work alongside practitioners from other disciplines to ensure school staff are involved in the development of the initiative.

· To network with other learning mentors and share best practice.

· To disseminate good practice among other educational bodies.

Training responsibilities

· To develop and provide staff training in mentoring techniques.

· To ensure that parents can access opportunities to undertake training.

Administration/Finance

· To be responsible for all administrative and financial matters relating to the work in their respective area.

· To product monthly reports.

· To manage the budget for the parenting programme so that it is spent in an appropriate and efficient manner.

· To establish appropriate recording mechanisms in relation to the work.

· To monitor the project’s development and the progress of the participants against targets on a monthly basis.

To comply with all the requirements of Health and Safety and Child Protection legislation, taking appropriate action where necessary.

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.

JE Ref: 05.07.04 (evaluated at SEO)