JOB DESCRIPTION
POST TITLE : Classroom Support Assistant
(37 hours per week - Term Time Only - Temporary until 29 June 2012)
SALARY SCALE : Points 8 to 9 on the College Payscale
DATE : January 2012
GENERIC PURPOSE OF POST
To provide high-quality efficient and effective non-teaching support, assisting with the promotion of opportunities for learning thereby enabling all learners to achieve to the best of their ability. All staff are expected to support the College’s commitment to safeguarding and child protection.
JOB ROLE PURPOSE OF POST
To support and encourage students, assisting lecturers in the promotion of students’ progress.
COLLEGE RESPONSIBILITIES
In addition to the generic responsibilities referred to above, all colleagues employed directly in support of assisting with the provision of the teaching and learning experiences of students at Stratford upon Avon College are expected to undertake the following College related responsibilities.
1. Flexibility
To work flexibly as part of a team with cross College responsibilities.
2. Marketing
To assist either directly or indirectly, with the recruitment, admission and enrolment of students and the marketing of courses in particular, and the College, in general.
3. Quality Assurance
To participate in undertaking all appropriate aspects of the College’s Quality Assurance systems.
4. Equal Opportunities
To adhere to and to promote the College’s policy on equal opportunities, entitlement and inclusiveness.
5. Staff and Continuous Professional Development
As identified, to participate fully in all appropriate activities designed to improve the quality of individual, team and College performance.
6. Health & Safety
Implement College Health and Safety systems and procedures.
7. Other Duties
Undertake other commensurate duties as may be required from time to time.
JOB ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Professional/Technical/Procedural Knowledge
The job requires knowledge of the procedures for a range of duties, a limited number of which either singly or in combination, are moderately complex together with the ability to operate associated equipment and/or tools.
Complexity of Task(s)
The job involves carrying out a moderate range of varying of tasks or duties of limited complexity and normally under supervision.
Decision Making
The job involves working from instructions but making minor decisions involving the use of initiative. Unusual or difficult problems are referred to a line manager for advice and guidance.
Line Management Responsibility
The job involves no direct responsibility for the supervision, direction or co-ordination of other employees. The work may involve demonstration of own duties, or the provision of low level advice and guidance to new employees or others.
Responsibility for Physical/Financial Resources
The job involves direct responsibility for a small number of physical and/or financial resources clearly defined and limited by range, value or number together with responsibility for the basic equipment and tools associated with the job.
Mental Effort/Level of Concentration and/or Emotional Demands
The job requires general awareness and involves infrequent periods of intense concentration involving high-level sensory/mental attention over a limited range of activities. The job involves limited periods of moderate to high level work-related pressures e.g. working to deadlines, interruptions, and conflicting demands.
Working Environment
The job involves minimal exposure to disagreeable, unpleasant or hazardous environmental working conditions.
HOURS OF WORK
The postholder will work 37 hours per week (term time only) until 29 June 2012.
CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU
From time to time you may be required to undertake duties that involve unrestricted contact with children or vulnerable adults, therefore the offer of employment is subject to a satisfactory Standard/Enhanced Disclosure statement from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). A copy of the CRB’s Code of Practice is available on request.
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN
The College is fully committed to Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults and we follow safe recruitment practices in line with Government procedures.
SPECIFIC JOB ROLE DUTIES
Associated with the post of
POST TITLE: Classroom Support Assistant
(37 hours per week. Term Time Only - Temporary until 29 June 2012)
LINE MANAGER: Head of Learner Services
NOTE:
The following specific Job Role Duties are current as at the date shown above. These duties will be reviewed, normally annually, and, in consultation with the postholder, the College reserves the right to make such changes as deemed necessary and appropriate in support of effective and efficient operational requirements.
SUPPORTING THE STUDENT
To develop an understanding of the specific needs of the students concerned.
Taking into account the individual needs involved, to aid the students to learn as effectively as possible both in group situations and on his/her own by, for example:
Clarifying and explaining instructions
Ensuring student is able to use equipment and materials provided
Motivating and encouraging student as required
Assisting in weak areas, e.g. language, behaviour, reading, spelling, handwriting/presentation etc
Helping students to concentrate on the finish work set
Meeting physical needs as required whilst encouraging independence
Liaising with tutors devising complementary learning activities
To establish a supportive relationship with the students concerned.
To encourage acceptance and integration of all students.
To develop methods of promoting/reinforcing students’ self-esteem.
SUPPORTING THE LECTURER
To assist with the course team (and other professionals as appropriate) in the development of a suitable programme of support for students with particular requirements or additional needs.
To participate in the evaluation of the support programme.
To provide regular feedback about the student to the lecturer.
SUPPORTING THE COLLEGE
To liaise, advise and consult with other members of the team supporting the students when asked to do so.
To contribute to review of the students’ progress.
To undertake administrative duties associated with the Additional Learning Support or Learner Services team.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
POST TITLE : Classroom Support Assistant
(37 hours per week. Term Time Only - Temporary until 29 June 2012)
SALARY SCALE : Points 8 to 9 on the College Payscale.
Qualifications
Appropriate specialist qualification Desirable
(N.B. Qualifications will normally be held at the minimum
level of NVQ 2/3 although in exceptional circumstances
relevant experience will be taken into
consideration)
Good standard of general education to GCSE Level (or equivalent) Essential
at Grade C or above in English and Maths
Computer literacy skills Essential
e.g.ITQ / ECDL or equivalent
(Qualifications will normally be held at the above level
although in exceptional circumstances
proven experience in the use of software packages may
be taken into consideration)
If these qualifications (or those considered to be equivalent) are not present, they must be acquired as set out in an individual training plan. Progression through the pay band may be linked to qualification achievement.
Experience
Previous experience working within the Further Education Desirable
Sector
Attributes
Excellent interpersonal skills
Organised
Effective written and spoken communication
Enthusiastic
Flexible
Willing to update and adapt skills as required by the demands of the role
Customer focused
APPLICATION GUIDANCE NOTES
1. Application
The submission of a C.V.alone is NOT considered appropriate as an alternative to the completion of the formal application form, although it is acceptable in addition.
Press the ‘apply online’ button at the bottom of the page to fill in an electronic application form.
By the closing date of noon on THURSDAY 19th January 2012.
The College electronically acknowledges receipt of applications, but does not notify applicants if not selected for interview. If you have not heard from us in four weeks, it will be reasonable to assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.
2. Interviews will take place within two weeks of the closing date.
As the College seeks to minimise obstacles caused by disability or disadvantage, the College will offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the criteria for the job. You are, therefore, requested to identify any special arrangements you may wish us to make in order that we may assist you and, in confidence, you should telephone Human Resources on (01789) 417323 or (01789) 417448.
Further, the College does not discriminate between internal and external applicants and those who most closely meet the criteria specified in the person specification will be invited to attend for interview. In addition to a formal interview, you may be required to undertake a short exercise relevant to the duties of the post for which you have applied and/or be required to deliver a mini lecture.
3. Appointments
At the conclusion of the interview process, candidates will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible. At this point, it is hoped that any candidate who receives an offer of employment will be able to give an immediate verbal answer. Assuming acceptance, the College will confirm in writing the offer of appointment together with a provisional salary and start date.
All offers of employment made by the College are subject to the following:
1. Documentary evidence of qualifications and verification of date of birth.
2. Documents evidencing proof of permission to work in the UK. Copies of these documents will be retained for the duration of your employment.
3. Two references satisfactory to the College, one should be from either a current or previous employer.
4. Evidence of medical fitness. Following interview, successful candidates will be required to complete a medical questionnaire after which they may be required to undergo a medical examination and/or chest X-ray.
5. Completion of a satisfactory 12 months probationary period.
6. Criminal Records Bureau clearance satisfactory to the College for which you will be asked to supply the following:
A Passport, Driving Licence, Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate and/or Change of Name Deed (if appropriate) and two items of documentation confirming your current address, eg utility bills, bank/credit card statement or library card. two items of documentation confirming your current address, eg utility bills, bank/credit card statement or library card.
4. Equal Opportunities
As a College we actively seek to minimise obstacles caused by disability, disadvantage and/or difference of any kind and to adhere to and promote our policy on equal opportunities, entitlement and inclusiveness. In support of this statement, a copy of the College’s Policy Statement on Equal Opportunities is attached together with an information document addressing the needs of those who consider themselves to be disabled.
For your further information, the College also has competent users in British Sign Language. Minicom is also available. Application packs in large print type are available upon request to the Human Resources Department and much of the College’s premises are accessible to those who experience difficulties with mobility. Finally, in order that we may support and assist you in your application, you are requested to identify any special arrangements you may wish us to make and, in confidence, you should please telephone Human Resources on (01789) 417323 or (01789) 417448.
5. Data Protection
You are applying for a job with Stratford-upon-Avon College. The College will use the information you provide in support of your application in the following way
undertake relevant and appropriate checks as to the information you have provided, this includes as a minimum, contacting your nominated referees (when your permission has been provided),
verifying your personal information e.g. Name, Address, National Insurance Number etc
as part of the College’s Management data to include e.g.
Monitoring equal opportunities
Monitoring disability
Monitoring recruitment and advertisement data
ensure you have permission to work in the UK
undertake thorough criminal background checks
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN
The College is fully committed to Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults and we follow safe recruitment practices in line with Government procedures
Unless you are appointed to the job for which you have applied, we will hold the information you provide to us on file for the maximum period of 12 months unless you request in writing that we retain your details for a longer period. This may be applicable if you are making a speculative application to us. The information you provide will be held confidentially in secure storage. After the appropriate timeframe has elapsed, your information will be destroyed