Specialist Support Lead - Sensory - CS12475

What skills and experience we're looking for

IT Skills Admin Skills

Uk Driving License

Team Supervisory Experience

British Sign Language knowledge and skills

What the college offers its staff

When you join WCG we offer you a whole host of employee benefits, including

• Comprehensive training programme.
• Generous leave entitlement plus up to four free College Closure days a year
• WCG offers all employees who are carers the option to request a period of Carer’s Leave that is equal to their usual working week, paid at their normal pay.
• Leadership & Management training programme to develop our next generation of managers.
• Superb health and wellbeing support with Wellbeing@WCG.
• The opportunity to join our voluntary health cash plan run by Health Shield.
• Discounted Full Cost Recovery courses.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Free on-site gym
• Discounted hair and beauty treatments in our College salons.
• Pension schemes.
• Free will writing service.
• Free car parking on-site.

Further details about the role

This role is pro rata. The salary you will be receiving is £26,509.36 per annum . For any roles that start part way through the academic year, the annual salary will be pro rata to the remaining months.

Please note, this role does require travel between our other sites, so a UK license and access to your own vehicle is essential.

BACKGROUND TO THE POST

The main purpose of the post is to lead the team of Notetakers and Communication Support Workers and manage the support for deaf or hearing impaired and/or visually impaired students within their learning programmes across our WCG campuses. The team leader will be expected to ensure a high-quality service to deaf, hearing impaired and/or visually impaired students.

There will be a high level of staff supervision and record keeping relating to student retention and achievement and analysis of the impact of support provided. Part of the role will be spent with students in the classroom providing Communication support.

MAIN TASKS

• Identify where specific specialist support is needed by acting on application data provided by admission staff, collating all associated information relating to applications and attending interviews – this will involve evening and Saturday work.
• To be able to travel across our 5 campus sites where students require support.
• Write comprehensive needs assessments on applicants/students, for the purpose of identifying student needs and providing effective support.
• Provide an accurate and effective range of communication support to deaf and hard of hearing and/or visually impaired students (signed communication, note-taking, lip speaking, appropriate adjustments for VI learners etc.), across Warwickshire College Group and where courses are delivered, covering all aspects of the course. This will include modification of language as appropriate to individual students.
• Communicate appropriate information to other staff and provide guidance and advice to lecturers, Curriculum & Learning Officers and other members of the Inclusion team about the individual needs of students. This will include producing support materials and acting as a facilitator to help their understanding of students’ needs.
• Be responsible for teaching Deaf Awareness, Visual Impaired awareness and other associated training to staff and students, when required.
• Establish and monitor special access arrangements for examinations in relation to deaf and hearing impaired or visually impaired students.
• Establish systems that will monitor and record students’ progress, and support requirements and make recommendations about support as required, ensuring the confidential nature of the work is maintained.
• Manage, lead, monitor and mentor staff working with deaf and hearing-impaired students within Warwickshire College and other service providers. This will involve holding team meetings, completing the Review and Development process, delivering training to staff and assisting in the recruitment and appointment of staff.
• To lead a team of Notetakers and Communication Support Workers and undertake Annual Reflections.
• Check and maintain specialist equipment for loan to students, such as radio aids, hearing loops, canes, Read Write Software and to be responsible for sourcing any new equipment needed by students.
• Attend Open evenings, interviews and other college events to represent the Inclusion team outside of College hours.
• To promote and ensure the integration of visually impaired, deaf and hearing-impaired students within the College.
• Provide a range of direct communication support to deaf and hard of hearing and/or visually impaired students.
• Keep up-to-date with regular developments in the field and advise the Head of Inclusion and Learning Support accordingly. Establish and maintain links with external agencies, specialist organisations, membership of NATED (e.g. NATED, CACDP)
• To provide learning support to non-deaf/visually impaired students with other SEN needs where needed.
• Be aware of current legislation concerning Safeguarding and SEN and undertake the necessary training to enable post holder to act as a Designated College Safeguarding Person.

Criteria

Level 2 British Sign Language qualification or be a native BSL user having come from a deaf family/community.

Qualified to NVQ Level 4 or Degree level.

GCSE Maths and English Grade C or above.

A full UK driving licence free from major endorsements and use of a vehicle

Previous experience of supervising staff

Ability to demonstrate excellent communication and organisational skills

Strong Administrative skills, including IT skills.

A willingness to undertake continuing professional development.

Willingness become a Designated Safeguarding Person

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.