KNOWSLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: LEARNING ASSISTANT – SESSIONAL –TERM TIME ONLYRATE: £8.93 Per hour

BROAD STATEMENT OF JOB FUNCTION:

To support the teaching and learning of students with a range of learning difficulties, disabilities and/or basic skills needs to ensure they are able to participate fully in their learning programmes. To adapt and develop resources under the direction of Tutors and Advisers.

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Learner Services Manager

OTHER RELATIONSHIPS:

To work closely with Lecturers in Learning Support, Learning Advisers, Learning Assistants and Care Assistants.To work closely with Personal and Course Tutors across all sections.To work effectively as a member of the Learning Support and Student Experience teams.

MAIN ACTIVITIES:

1. To support students in the completion of specified tasks, under the direction of tutors and as specified in their Support Plan.

2. To enable students to overcome barriers to learning by employing appropriate teaching and learning strategies.

3. To manage challenging behaviour, following guidance from Personal and Course Tutors.4. To enable students to achieve their personal targets as stated in their ILP.5. To encourage independence whenever possible, e.g. giving choices, prompting, etc.6. To develop a mutually supportive relationship with the teaching staff and other support

staff.7. To take opportunities to develop communication, literacy and numeracy skills whenever

they arise.8. To escort students to and from transport and around the College.9. To encourage students to arrive at their lessons on time.10. To interpret student responses and questions and facilitate communication.11. To develop, adapt and maintain paper and computer-based resources.12. To complete records and reports monitoring the effectiveness of learning support and

provide auditable evidence for the ALS claim.13. To act as an advocate for the student in appropriate, college-related matters.

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OTHER ACTIVITIES:

Participate in staff development activities in consultation with Line Manager.Identify own training needs.Contribute to group and team discussions on staff development.Other duties compatible with the post, as defined by the Principal or her representative.Actively promote Equality and Diversity, College Values and the “Safe Learner” concept.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

Must be prepared to work at any of the College centres and travel between centres when necessary.Must be prepared to work “off-site” if appropriate to the College business.Prepared to work up to two evenings per week and possibly some time at weekends if required.

‘This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and

volunteers to share this commitment”

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KNOWSLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE - PERSON SPECIFICATION

POST: LEARNING ASSISTANT – SESSIONAL –TERM TIME ONLY

*M.O.A = Method of Assessment.AP = Application Form, AS = Assessment, IN = Interview, PR = Presentation

ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE *M.O.AKNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:Knowledge & Experience

Experience working in support role in an educational environment providing Support for students.

Awareness of the Pre-Entry Curriculum Framework and Skills for Life and strategies for developing these skills.

AP IN

Knowledge of the range of learning difficulties and/or disabilities and strategies to enable participation in learning activities.

An understanding of the College’s commitment to delivering quality provision.

AP IN

Appropriate evidence of updating. INExperience in other relevant teaching and learning environments. Commitment to continuous improvement in quality provision and delivery.

IN

SKILLS:Evidence of skills needed in working with students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities or with other support needs.

Experience of Makaton or BSL. AP IN

Ability to be clear and concise when working with students. Must demonstrate patience with students with communication difficulties. Must maintain confidentiality.

Experience of using symbols or other strategies to help students to communicate.

AP IN

Ability to use common software such as Word Processing, Databases and Spreadsheets.

Ability to use a range of assistive technology. AP IN

Ability to develop resource materials. Must show evidence of being able to stimulate (academically and emotionally) students being supported.

AP IN

Good time management skills and ability to work under pressure and respond to individual needs as they arise. Must have excellent organisational skills.

AP IN

QUALIFICATIONS:F:/JD/Learning Assistant – 2016 Page 3

Academic / Professional:

Educated to Level 3 or above. Literacy/numeracy skills at Level 3 or above. AP INTeaching Assistants or equivalent qualification. AP INQualification in English & Maths to Level 2 or willing to undertake training to achieve within 12 months of appointment.

AP IN

Other: Evidence of Knowledge/Skills updating. AP INATTITUDE:

Ability to contribute effectively to team operations. Assist team members when under pressure. Must work as part of a close knit team.

IN

Ability to take a broad perspective and respond to a wide variety of demands. Must have a flexible attitude to daily routines and working hours. Must treat students as individuals, appropriate to their age and with respect.

IN

Ability to respond effectively be sympathetic to demands and requirements, particularly to the needs of parents/carers.

AP IN

Must have empathy with students and respond efficiently to all requests regarding College information, provision and services.

Knowledge of student retention issues and practical Customer Care.

AP IN

Commitment to equality of opportunity and a willingness to identify and pursue own training needs.

AP IN

OTHER:Must take appropriate action to maintain a College environment conforming to the College Equality & Diversity policy and the Health and Safety of colleagues and students.

IN

Travel: Must be prepared to work and travel between College sites or other sites appropriate to the College business.

Current driving licence. Ability to drive a minibus.

IN

Equality & Diversity: Must be sensitive to matters relating to discrimination in terms of race, gender, age disability and sexual orientation with particular reference to delivery of the curriculum and provision of learning support.

IN

Must be able to demonstrate a commitment to the needs of students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and to enhancing their quality of life.

IN AS

Other: Suitable to work with young people and vulnerable adults in accordance with guidelines for Safeguarding.

AP IN

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