Specialist Sensory Teaching Assistant

**We’re looking for a Specialist Sensory Teaching Assistant - Vision Impairment, Interested?**

Do you want a role where you’re recognised for what you do, given the opportunity to thrive and have the chance to be the best version of yourself? Interested in joining a great organisation with an employee offer and experience that rivals others? Are you looking for a new challenge? If so, please keep reading as you’re just what we’re looking for

**The team**

The Low Incidence Needs Team (LINT) is part of the SEN Inclusion Team and includes the areas of hearing, vision, multi-sensory impairment and physical and/or medical needs, all of which provide support to pre-school children and young people in education aged (0-25) in Gateshead across mainstream and special school settings.

You will join a supportive team of experienced professionals dedicated to providing high quality support and advice to Gateshead schools and settings on behalf of sensory impaired children and their families.

**About the role**

An opportunity has arisen within the Low Incidence Needs Team (LINT), Gateshead Council, for a Specialist Sensory Teaching Assistant - Vision Impairment.

The role entails working with families, schools and settings to provide a range of specialist interventions for babies, children and young people (aged 0-25) which will facilitate equality of access to high quality learning opportunities and ensure full access and participation and improved learning outcomes.

We are looking for applicants who meet the Higher-Level Teaching Assistants Standards or hold an equivalent qualification. The successful applicant will be required to have or be willing to work towards the Grade 1 Braille qualification and achieve Grade 2 within 3 years.

Applicants must have knowledge of the impact of vision loss upon learning and development, a good understanding of child development and learning processes and barriers to learning. They should have worked with national /early years curriculum, programmes and strategies.

Experience of working with vision impaired children and young people is preferable, along with use of specialist resources and technologies relevant to the post.

Applicants are expected to work flexibly where required across Gateshead.

You must hold a current drivers license and have access to a car or means to mobility support.

**A bit about Gateshead Council**

Gateshead is a constantly changing borough combining modern facilities with a fascinating heritage and the demand for our services continues to grow. We engage with many partners and contract a high number of services to deliver the best outcomes for our community. We’re truly committed to providing our customers with the highest quality of service and we need like-minded people who can help us deliver a sector leading service. We need people who want to make a difference, who are talented, possess the right knowledge and skills and who want the chance to demonstrate how good they are.

People really are our greatest asset at Gateshead Council, and we value every employee. We encourage our people to think differently, do the right thing and be innovative.

**What’s in it for you? Well, there’s so much on offer and here’s just a few of the highlights**
- You’ll be paid a competitive salary of £31.067 to £33,366 per annum, pro-rata (term-time).
- We’ll help you save for your future with an outstanding employer contribution to your pension.
- A robust Workforce Development offer with opportunities for learning to progress your career and to enhance your knowledge in specific areas.
- You’ll have access to great health and wellbeing support and ability to use our cycle to work scheme. Working with our partners, GLL you can also access discounted leisure facilities Gym and Leisure Centre Memberships | Better
- You’ll have access to our new benefits platform VIVUP where you can get discounts and offers on online and high street shopping

**It’s time to apply**

We’re delighted that you want to come and work with us. Please take a look at the full job profile via this link **JOB PROFILE**. It’s important that you read it in full and check that you meet the essential criteria, because when we start choosing people to come and meet us we’ll be checking to ensure that they meet the essential criteria as set out in the job profile.