Communication Support Worker - Vision Inclusion Team

Job Introduction

Our Vision Inclusion Team has an opportunity for a Communication Support Worker for 32.5 hours a week from 1^st September 2024. 

You will be supporting vision impaired /blind students as part of the Specialist Teaching Support Service. 

Our large centrally based Vision Inclusion Team consists of Specialist Teachers, Communication Support Workers, Mobility Officers, a VI Role Model, and an ICT Support Technician. We support children and young people 0-25 with a vision loss in a variety of settings including homes, nurseries, mainstream schools, colleges, and specialist provision. We maintain a strong commitment to multi-agency working, inclusive education, high standards of attainment, and quality of life experiences for all our pupils.

Main Responsibility

Initially based across a primary and secondary setting in the Burton Upon Trent area you'll work within education settings to support a high quality, inclusive educational experience for children with vision loss.

Under the direction of the Specialist Teacher of VI and Team Lead, you'll also:

• assist the Service and class teacher in the implementation of the pupil's curriculum.
• carry out bespoke programmes of learning using the pupils preferred format(s); tactile learning aids, Braille, large print or electronic files and to prepare and modify such materials in advance.
• assist in the implementation of any programmes of support designed by the Specialist Mobility Officer or Specialist ICT Teacher.
• assist in the maintenance and use of specialist equipment e.g. screen magnification and / or speech to text software, scanners, notetakers, Braille embossers, etc.
• liaise with the pupil's parents or guardians.
• assist the class and specialist teacher(s) in maintaining a written record of activity and progress, recording observations of strengths and weaknesses as appropriate and contribute to reviews as required.

The Ideal Candidate

You'll have experience of supporting students with vision loss in schools and have a passion for inclusion, enabling all children to flourish and grow.

You may be required, on occasion, to work across the county so a driving licence and daily access to a car would be ideal. 

You'll be supported to develop in this role by a Qualified Teacher of the Vision Impaired. Experience of supporting students within an educational setting is advantageous and the willingness to undertake a recognised qualification in UEB Braille and tactile learning is essential.  

For more details or an informal chat please contact:

Donna McNaughton – Team Lead, Vision Inclusion Team

Tel:   01785 356830 / 07805826584

Email: donna.mcnaughton@staffordshire.gov.uk

Closing Date: 23^rd June 2024

Interview Date: 03^rd July 2024

Employees have a responsibility for, and must be committed to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people ensuring they are protected from harm. Appointment is subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.  As part of our safer recruitment, and in line with KCSIE recommendations, an online search will be completed on all shortlisted candidates.

Please note: we will request references prior to interview.  

About Staffordshire County Council

We are no ordinary county council:

Our Values:

The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.

Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:

We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.

We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too. 

Our benefits:

We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance. 

In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire

Our recruitment process:

As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities

As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post. 

As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.