Communicator or Trainee Communicator

**Salary**:
Trainee Communicator**:£24,362 to £26,073 **per annum full time equivalent

Communicator**:£26,073 to £29,777 **per annum full time equivalent

Salary is pro-rata for part time and Term Time Only

Contract**:Fixed term **until 31 August 2025. There may be a possibility to extend further, however this is not guaranteed and depends upon external funding also being extended.

Hours**:Part time **(27.5 to 32 hours per week, Monday to Friday, precise hours can be discussed at interview), **Term Time Only **(39 working weeks)

Closing date**:Sunday 22 September 2024 **, 23:59

Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. It is also committed to promoting quality childcare across the city that works to improve outcomes for children.

DBS Disclosure at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

**Why come to live and work in Portsmouth?**

Portsmouth is a great waterfront city and a vibrant place to live and work. It is an island city with an “inner city” feel, a seaside location packed with attractions and events, and the advantage of fantastic countryside on its doorstep. With fast road and rail links to London, Brighton and major airports, and ferry links to Europe, it is the perfect place to live and work. Portsmouth has a strong history of partnership working and has successfully integrated several local services.

**The Service**:
The Vision and Hearing Team is based in the Civic Offices and is a highly regarded Team within the Inclusion Service which is an integral part of the Education Department. The team comprises of Specialist Teacher Advisers, Higher Level Teaching Assistant, a Habilitation Specialist for visually impaired pupils, and Communication Support Workers for hearing impaired pupils.

**Your New Role**:
As a Communicator, you will support deaf and hearing-impaired pupils with all aspects of communication in a school environment, across all key stages. You will work with class teachers to ensure pupils have access to the National Curriculum and the teaching and learning environment. You will use voice, Sign Supported English and British Sign Language as appropriate to facilitate this access, and prepare materials, contribute to reports and review meetings, and develop individual children's knowledge and use of signing to support language development understanding and broaden learning. You will assist pupils to become independent, confident learners, and foster independence and facilitate full inclusion into school life.

As a Trainee Communicator, you will train to become a Communicator, performing the duties above with support and supervision, shadowing existing Communicators, and studying British Sign Language Levels 1 and 2.

Communicator and Trainee Communicator

**What you'll need to succeed**:
For **both **the Trainee Communicator and Communicator roles, you have experience of working in a learning setting supporting children e.g. teaching assistant role. You have an insight into your own behaviour and professional boundaries with staff, parents and pupils, and the ability to reflect on practice. You can work individually and as part of a team, and can demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills. You have excellent self-management skills (prioritising, time management, recognising limitations, planning further professional development), and can evidence growth and learning from training and prior employment experience.

As a **Communicator **, you are also appropriately qualified with Signature sign language level 2 Qualification (ESSENTIAL) and knowledge of Signed English (i+ ii) (Desirable but not essential), and you have a sound base of current issues pertinent to the communicator role.

As a **Trainee Communicator **, you have some experience of working with hearing impaired children, or a desire to.

Communicator and Trainee Communicator

**You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.**

**What you'll get in return**:
We really appreciate our employees and fully realise they are essential to our success and look to offer an inclusive, supportive working environment where employees can reach their potentials with a healthy work life balance, offering the following rewards:

- Generous annual leave (27 days per year rising to 31, pro rata for part time hours) with the potential to purchase additional leave.
- A fantastic pension which allows you the opportunity to pay in more for that greater return.
- Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities including apprenticeships.
- Extensive wellbeing support through the Employee Assistance Programme
- Discount on travel, travel loans and the bike loan scheme
- Discounts on a wide range of goods and services