Senior Teacher

JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsible to: Adviser for Post Primary Behaviour Support & Provisions

General Information about EOTAS Programmes

EOTAS programmes form part of the Education Authority’s Behaviour Support and Provisions support to schools for pupils with social, behaviour, emotional and wellbeing (SBEW) needs. Pupils that take up a placement within any of the EOTAS programmes also remain on the register of their mainstream school.

Each EOTAS programme is managed by a Senior Teacher, under the direction of an Adviser for Behaviour Support and Provisions. Multidisciplinary work is an important part of the work in each programme. Psychologists, Education Welfare Officers, Youth Workers, Social Workers, Medical Officers and other services/ agencies can be involved with pupils and their families, the degree of which will depend on the needs of each case. Ongoing liaison with schools is an important part of the work of the Behaviour Support and Provisions programmes.

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  Guidelines in relation to role, responsibilities & communication

The following document’s purpose is to facilitate the role of the Post Primary EOTAS Senior Teacher. It is devised to be supportive, give clarity to the staff role and to communicate clearly expectations for both the post holder alongside those of management. 

The Post Primary EOTAS Senior Teacher, is responsible to the Adviser for Post Primary Behaviour Support & Provisions, who will approve the senior teacher’s timesheet and any travel and subsistence claims.

The Post Primary EOTAS Senior Teacher will work with Post Primary EOTAS staff and other members of the Education Authority’s (EA) Post Primary Behaviour Support and Provisions in developing and implementing programmes of support and teaching for pupils with social, behaviour, emotional and wellbeing (SBEW) needs. The Post Primary EOTAS Senior Teacher will be responsible for day to day management of the EOTAS centre which provides a specialist support service to Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils who have (SBEW) needs. This will involve working directly with and teaching post primary pupils at Key Stage 3 & 4 as well as managing a small team of staff. The post will also involve supporting teachers in mainstream school who are seeking advice and practical strategies on the management of pupils with challenging behaviour by delivery of training and consultation. The Post Primary EOTAS Senior Teacher will liaise closely with other areas of the EA including Statutory Operations within Special Education, Education Welfare Service, Psychology Service and other services and agencies involved with pupils referred to Post Primary Behaviour Support and Provisions.

Post Primary Behaviour Support and Provisions vision, through partnership with the whole school community, is to ‘Nurture, inspire and empower young people through a pupil centred culture of inclusion and excellence’. 

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As detailed in the Teachers’ (Terms and Conditions of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987. To view click .

In addition to teaching duties the successful candidate will be required to oversee day to day management of the EOTAS centre which provides a specialist support service to Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils who have social, behaviour, emotional and wellbeing (SBEW) needs.

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1. Management:

1.1 Support the Adviser for Post Primary Behaviour Support & Provisions as above on all matters relating to SBEW;

1.2 Management of the Post Primary EOTAS Centre and its staff, in relation to day to day organisation as delegated by the Adviser for Post Primary Behaviour Support & Provisions;

1.3 Contribute to Post Primary Behaviour Support & Provisions, to target setting and to meeting the objectives of the Service;

1.4 Actively contribute to the Education Authority’s strategic goals and make a significant contribution to the Children and Young People’s Service (CYPS) Business Plan;

1.5 Ensure that centre staff are aware of and adhere to the Education Authority’s corporate standards;

1.6 Development of staff timetables which incorporate both in centre and outreach service arrangements. Timetables will be devised in conjunction with all centre staff and approved by Adviser for Post Primary Behaviour Support and Provisions;

1.7 Act as Designated/Deputy Designated Teacher for Child Protection;

1.8 Submit staff monthly timecards via the EA One system for Adviser submission;

1.9 Liaise with the Adviser for Post Primary Behaviour Support & Provisions in relation to requisitioning resources for the centre and staff. Completing the necessary requisition documentation to progress such.

1.10 Oversee arrangements to ensure the effective and efficient use of resources, completion of appropriate records of expenditure and other spends are in place.

2. Staff Management, Assessment and Development

2.1 Oversee the quality assurance of teaching and learning within the Post Primary EOTAS setting including advising on the preparation and development of therapeutic programmes, teaching materials and appropriate and relevant resources;

2.2 Identify staff development and training needs; communicate these to the Adviser for Post Primary Behaviour & Provisions, who will advise on progression;

2.3 Oversee the Performance Review and Staff Development (PRSD) of each teacher, in accordance with the requirements of the scheme and similarly Staff Appraisals for Behaviour Support Assistants and clerical staff;

2.4 Facilitate regular, minuted staff meetings.

3. Training

3.1 Disseminate examples of good practice and contribute to the Post Primary Behaviour Support & Provisions capacity building programme to a range of school staff as required.

4. Intervention/Therapeutic Ethos 

4.1 Provide support to schools in implementing strategies to address the needs of children with SBEW;

4.3 Devise and assist the implementation of an individualised behavioural programme for pupils with SBEW needs;

4.4 Assist in the delivery of a range of interventions that are deemed to be appropriate to meet the needs of the individual pupil.

5. Provision/ Curriculum 

5.1 Ensure development and delivery of an appropriate curriculum to meet the personal, social and academic needs and abilities of pupils;

5.2 Monitor, assess and review pupil progress and the appropriateness of provision and provide reports at regular intervals;

5.3 Encourage a co-ordinated approach in addressing a pupil’s social, emotional and behavioural difficulties;

5.4 Promote and implement the pastoral care arrangements in the EOTAS Centre;

5.5 Support and facilitate assessment arrangements for all pupils; 

5.6 Work closely with school staff to develop effective strategies and interventions in relation to individual pupils with SBEW;

5.7 Provide advice to schools to facilitate school staff addressing the particular learning, social, communication and developmental needs of pupils with SBEW. 

6. Liaison with schools and other services

6.1 Liaise and work collaboratively with other EA Services, schools and external agencies e.g. Social Services, CAMHS etc. in the interests of pupils;

6.2 Develop close liaison with local referring schools and Area Learning Communities;

6.3 Liaise with parents/ carers, encouraging consistent management;

6.4 Promote a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary approach in relation to addressing the needs of children with SBEW;

6.5 Engage in multi-disciplinary meetings, as appropriate, to meet the needs of individual pupils;

6.6 Advise schools in relation to costs associated with pupils who have transferred to EOTAS.

7. Participate in Programmes of Continuing Professional Development:

7.1 Keep informed of current approaches, teaching strategies and resources relevant to pupils with SBEW needs so that appropriate interventions can be applied in school contexts.

8. Communication:

8.1 It is vital that good communication arrangements are in place both within the centre and with the Adviser for Post Primary Behaviour Support & Provisions. The Adviser for Post Primary Behaviour Support & Provisions should be kept informed of all arrangements pertaining to the centre service delivery and support for pupils;

8.2 Reporting absences in line with the EA Managing Attendance Policy;

8.3 Staff should not be off site without prior approval from or informing the Adviser for Post Primary Behaviour Support & Provisions.

9. Other Duties:

9.1 Attend relevant in-service training;

9.2 Comply with the Education Authority’s policies and procedures in relation to the duties and responsibilities of the post.

9.3 Have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Authority Business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner. 

9.4 Any other duties which may be required from time to time by the Adviser for Post Primary Behaviour Support and Provisions and the Education Authority.

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