JOB DESCRIPTION

REPORTS TO: Senior Adviser

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Supporting the Senior Adviser on all work associated with SEND Implementation, as set out in the SEND Act 2016. This will include working in partnership with colleagues across a number of SEND & Youth Directorate in the planning and delivery of support and provision for children and young people with identified special educational needs (SEN). It will also involve regular engagement with Health and Social Care.

JOB PURPOSE

The Adviser for SEND Implementation and Development will work within a regional framework to make a significant contribution to the development and implementation of SEND within EA.

The Adviser will be expected to contribute to specific targets as identified in the EA SEND Implementation Plan, as well as service specific targets relating to the EA corporate plan and the SEND & Youth Directorate business plan; promoting efficiency and effectiveness throughout the service; and working as part of an effective team.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Supporting Implementation of SEND

· Support the Senior Adviser in the implementation of new structures, strategy, policy and processes to facilitate SEND implementation, including working co-jointly with other Heads of Service across the SEND & Youth Directorate so that consistent and cohesive processes are established;

· Lead and work as part of a team to ensure that all targets within the EA SEND Implementation Plan are progressed in line with established timescales;

· Contribute to the delivery of a range of projects to ensure that all targets within the EA SEND Implementation Plan are progressed in line with established timescales;

· Implement processes for innovative use of technology in respect of SEND processes and capacity building;

· Respond to external queries and correspondence on relevant issues, including provision of information for responses to Assembly Questions, Freedom of Information requests and complaints relating to the work of the Directorate;

· Comply with all relevant EA regulations and procedures as well as all aspects of DE guidance and statutory frameworks as they apply to this area;

· Work within the context of the Programme for Government and NI Children and Young People’s Strategic framework.

Training and Capacity Building

· Lead and work as part of a team to develop and deliver capacity building and training programmes to Principals, Boards of Governors, Learning Support Co-ordinators, and EA staff;

· Support blended learning through the utilisation of E-learning strategies including EA TV/ESaGS TV;

· Support the Senior Adviser in the development of a coherent framework for the continuing professional development of school staff.

Engagement, Monitoring and Evaluation

· Facilitate engagement with schools’ children and young people, parents and other partners in relation to SEND and associated support and outcomes;

· Liaise with colleagues in Health and Social Care to develop collaborative processes for SEND implementation, in line with the Duty to Co-operate;

· Liaise with other SEND & Youth Directorate services, EA directorate teams and external stakeholders including other professionals and agencies as appropriate;

· Contribute to the development of Outcomes Based Accountability frameworks for measuring outcomes for children and young people;

· Facilitate efficient and robust collation and analysis of all related information and data;

· Contribute to evaluation of the effectiveness of implementation of SEND and associated frameworks.

This job description is intended to provide a broad outline of the responsibilities and is not intended to be exhaustive. Other reasonable duties may be assigned by the Director/Head of Service in consultation with the post-holder.

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the Adviser is expected to promote good relations and equality of opportunity, and to pay due regard to equality legislation at all times.

To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS

1. 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.

2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.

3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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 on how you meet any desirable criteria.

Section 1 - Essential 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/ Experience	Hold a Bachelor’s Degree (UK Qualification and Credit Framework Level 6) or an equivalent or higher qualification. Demonstrate five years’ experience working in a professional capacity where the delivery of special education services to support schools to meet pupil need is a core aspect of the work. Demonstrate two years’ experience of successful delivery of learning and development programmes for school staff.	Shortlisting by Application Form
Skills/ Abilities	Proven ability to achieve targets and objectives within a demanding and pressurised environment against challenging deadlines and through engaging team members.
Knowledge	Demonstrable knowledge of current developments in the area of special educational needs to include key areas of legislative change in relation to SEND & Youth Directorate. Demonstrable knowledge of specific strategies and methods for capacity building, assessment, support and intervention for schools.	Shortlisting by Application Form
Other	The successful candidate will be required: to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion; OR be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion.	Shortlisting by Application Form

Section 2 - Essential Criteria

The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model.

Factor	Essential Criteria	Method of Assessment
Knowledge	Knowledge of DE guidance and statutory frameworks as they apply to this area. Knowledge of how to motivate and develop staff to achieve good employee relations. Demonstrable knowledge of specific strategies and methods for capacity building, assessment, support and intervention for schools.	Interview
Skills/ Abilities	In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of: Demonstrate ability to work within a multi-disciplinary approach to achieve positive outcomes for Children and Young People. Proven ability to achieve targets and objectives within a demanding and pressurised environment against challenging deadlines and through engaging team members. Ability to put processes in place to evaluate the effectiveness of new processes under SEND implementation and associated frameworks.	Interview/Presentation
Values Orientation	Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values. You will find information about our Values here.	Interview

Section 3 - Desirable Criteria

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

Experience

Demonstrate at least two years’ experience of successfully supporting or leading the implementation of significant change within special educational needs services across more than one school, service or geographical area.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Our Values

Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.

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.

Adviser SEND Implementation & Development (EA Employees Only)

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