Classroom Assistant; Special Educational Specialist Provision

PERSON SPECIFICATION NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS

• 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.
• You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
• The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 how you meet any desirable 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 and Experience

Hold a minimum of a Level 2 (or equivalent) qualification
* in a relevant area obtained through a recognised accredited awarding body.

• Qualification must be at Certificate or Diploma level. Award level is not acceptable.

Have a minimum of 6 weeks experience which has been gained either through working in a formal learning environment or through a placement completed as part of your level 2 (or equivalent) qualification.

Have a minimum of 12 months’ experience of working in a specialist provision environment.

Sifting by Application Form

Sifting by Application Form and verified at Interview

• Health and safety requirements
• Development needs of children and/or young people.
• Child protection and safeguarding

• Effective planning and organising skills.
• Ability to follow agreed systems and plans.
• Ability to work as part of team
• Ability to work flexibly and creatively to help ensure a child-centred learning experience.

• Undertaking more comprehensive or invasive medical/clinical procedures.
• Assisting pupils with specialist communication needs or sensory difficulties to access the curriculum.
• Working with pupils with challenging behaviour.
• Working knowledge of specific areas of SEN
  * and implications for learning.

• Areas of SEN could include:
• Communication and interaction
• Cognition and learning
• Social, mental and emotional health
• Sensory and/or physical
• Working knowledge of effective strategies to support the learning of pupils with SEN/particular needs.

• Effective and positive communication skills.
• Ability to build positive and supportive relationships.
• Empathy
• Confidentiality

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
Qualifications and Experience

• Additional training/qual e.g. Braille, Makaton, First Aid, speech and language support, Team Teach training.
• Level 3 (or equivalent level) qualification in a relevant area.
• Hold a minimum of level 2 passes in English and/or Mathematics, or higher-level qualifications

• Additional working experience in a formal learning environment.
• Experience of working with a child and/or young person with a specific special educational need/MLD/SLD etc.
• Experience of working as a Classroom Assistant with pupils in a particular setting i.e. specialist provision unit attached to mainstream/ special school setting

• Ability to use assistive technology
• Ability to proactively support pupils with…