Teaching Assistant or Communication Support Worker for the SENSS Post-16 Sensory Support Team
About Us
Teaching Assistants and Communication Support Workers (TA/CSWs) are an essential part of the educational teams in the SEN Support Services (SENSS) in Oxfordshire working with children and young people who are deaf and have vision impairment in Oxfordshire educational settings.TA/CSWs work in the Deaf and Hearing Support Resource Bases at New Marston Primary School and The Cherwell School (secondary), and with post-16 students who have a sensory impairment (deafness, vision impairment or multi-sensory impairment) in the Colleges of Further Education in Oxfordshire with a Sensory Support Resource Base at City of Oxford College.
- the terms deaf/deafness refer to all levels and types of hearing loss
About the Role
We are seeking a Teaching Assistant or Communication Support Worker with a calm, encouraging and positive manner to work with deaf and vision impaired young people in the SENSS Post-16 Sensory Support teambased at City of Oxford College. No previous knowledge of working with deaf or vision impairment students is required.
The role is varied and there are opportunities to support students with a variety of learning needs. Currently, the deaf students supported by the team mostly use speaking and listening as their primary mode of communication. The blind and vision impaired students at City of Oxford College have a variety of support needs, some are braille users.
There are good public transport links to City of Oxford College and parking may also be available.
The role is permanent and is term time only (39 weeks per year).
About you
You will have the ability to communicate sensitively and appropriately with children, young people, families, and colleagues. You work positively as part of a team but also feel confident to work independently and take initiative when needed.
You have a good level of basic education (e.g. Grade 4 or above in GCSE Maths and English or equivalent) or equivalent professional experience.
Working closely with specialist Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People (ToDs), Teachers of Vision Impairment (TVIs), mainstream staff and other professionals to improve outcomes, your aim will be to enable access to the curriculum and to facilitate full inclusion for the students you work with.
Ideally, you will have experience of working with children and young people with SEN or disability, but training will be given. We are particularly interested if you have a qualification in communicating with deaf people (preferably Level 2 CACDP or above, or a level of fluency in BSL at a comparable stage) or if you have skills and experience of supporting blind or vision impaired learners.If you have an interest in learning sign language or braille skills, this role offers opportunities to develop these skills.
You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be resilient, creative, adaptable and kind.
No previous knowledge of working with deaf or vision impaired learners is required but would be an advantage.
A passion for working with children and young people to make a difference and improve their access to learning is essential.
Does this sound like you?Would you like to know more?
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Susannah Sentance, Lead Teacher of the SENSS Post-16 Sensory Support team, on susannah.sentance@oxfordshire.gov.uk or 07747 648473
By arrangement, you are also most welcome visit the base at City of Oxford College, meet our friendly and caring team, and find out more about what we do.
Rewards and benefits- The role is term time only (39 weeks per year) with 5.64 holiday weeks paid (i.e. 44.64 paid weeks per year)
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeingsupport
- Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
- Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
- Great learning and development opportunities tosupportyour ongoing development.
Ourcommitmentto: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce.Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave.We have a number of staff network groups which provide peersupport, education and safe spaces for all.
Ourcommitmentto: Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a DisabilityConfidentemployer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job.We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job.For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships.We are alsocommittedto helping andsupportingthose transitioning from HM ArmedForcesto civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Ourcommitmentto: Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council arecommittedto safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers tosharethiscommitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Ourcommitmentto: Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, jobsharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
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