Learning Support Lead - Term Time Only + 4 Weeks (2 positions available)
Working collaboratively with Local Authorities, curriculum leaders and teaching staff, and a range of internal and external stakeholders, act as a key point of contact for SEND across college, ensuring provision is robust, responsive, and aligned to the SEND Code of Practice and allied SEND legislation.
To meet the learning support needs of learners with identified Learning Difficulties and / or Disabilities, with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and High Needs, and SEN, including in class and out of class support to remove barriers to accessing learning and participation.
To meet the learning support needs of learners with identified Learning Difficulties and / or Disabilities, with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and High Needs, and SEN, including in class and out of class support to remove barriers to accessing learning and participation.
To support the Head of Learning Support to manage and deploy the LSA, LSO and CSW Teams, organising the recruitment, induction and training of staff.
To oversee the provision of learning support and staffing resources day to day to provide high quality learning support to learners with a Learning Difficulty and/or Disability, High Needs and with an EHCP.
To ensure support staff follow and adhere to the National Occupational Standards for Learning Support Staff, the Learning Support Code of Conduct, and Learning Support Staff Handbook.
To carry out the EHCP Consultation and EHC Annual Review process, working closely with curriculum teams and leads, external agencies, Health and Social Care services.
Follow and promote the social model of disability and have positive aspirations for learners with SEND. Contribute to the continuous improvement of inclusive practice within curriculum areas and the wider college.
- Oversee the agreed, meaningful and high-quality learning support for groups and individual learners with identified Learning difficulties and / or Disabilities, with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), those with more complex, high needs.
- Line manage and deploy in class support staff to support the individual learning support requirements of learners with SEND, ensure support staff in the team adhere to the National Occupational Standards for Learning Support Staff, the Learning Support Code of Conduct, and Learning Support Staff Handbook.
- To hold and chair the annual EHC Review of Education, Health and Care plans, reviewing the provision and outcomes and recording meeting notes on college systems, working effectively with local authorities and external agencies, and referral to support services where required.
- To support staff in the team and carry out person-centred planning and reviews, collate and share information prior to the EHC Review taking place. To complete the review documentation and share with all relevant parties.
- To be the key point of contact for curriculum areas and staff for learners with additional learning needs through shared planning, expertise and knowledge of SEND, Education Health and Care and High Needs planning and funding, allocation of in class support staff.
- Develop and maintain effective working together with curriculum areas, Vocational and English and Maths, attend team meetings to liaise with key staff to be to support learners with barriers to learning and attending college, to plan to remove any barriers identified.
- Ensure that assessment and ongoing learning support arrangements meet the individual needs of learners and required provision and are in accordance with legislative requirements and learner support plans (e.g., Education, Health and Care Plans).
- Monitor attendance, retention, and achievement of learners throughout the year to ensure they are on target to meet the outcomes stated in the Education Health and Care Plan or support plan by close liaison with curriculum teams, plan effective interventions for any concerns.
- To respond to individual local authority EHCP consultations within the legislative timeframe to assess if college is able to meet learner needs set out in the EHCP, ensuring the required training and resources are available. Work with the Safeguarding Team to respond to consults for learners with possible high risks and college is unable to meet needs.
- Review the provision provided by Learning Support for quality assurance purposes by carrying out Walkthrough Observations of support staff, quality checking the information recorded by support staff using ProMonitor (e.g. the Learning Support Review, learner ILPs and associated areas documentation for Learning Support information.
- Work with the HR Department and Head of Learning Support for the recruitment of in-class support staffing resources, Learning Support Assistants, Communication Support Workers and Learning Support Officers. Work with the agreed Employment Agencies to recruit temporary staffing resources when required.
- Oversee the process of implementing Individual Healthcare Plans, PEEPs, Personal Care plans, and use of specialist equipment. To support learners with personal care and medical needs including administration of medication were indicated in their Individual Healthcare Plan.
- Support the Head of Learning Support to identify training requirements of staff and teams, develop and implement training and CPD for the Learning Support Team and curriculum teams, wider college, both in person training sessions and events, and virtual college learning.
- To collate information to produce an annual Data Impact Report detailing the functions of the team for the academic year, the support arrangements and interventions in place across the curriculum area/s and the impact on retention, achievement and success of learners with SEND (EHCP, High Needs, SEN).
- Attend and promote College Open Events, Learning Support Team Events for learners with SEND and their families, working with relevant external agencies and providers.
- Ensure continuous development and improvement of professional knowledge.
- Any other duties, of a similar level of responsibility, as may be required.
Qualifications
Essential Criteria
- Level 2 (GCSE) in English and Maths
- Degree qualification
Desirable Criteria
- Learning Support qualification
- A postgraduate qualification in assessing learners with SEND/SpLD
- Certificate in Education
- Teaching qualification
How Identified: Application/Interview
Experience
Essential Criteria
- Experience of working at a similar level within post 16 SEND or High Needs provision or similar provision
- Experience of working with learners in an education setting
- Experience of working with individuals with SEND/Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities
- Experience of supporting learners who hold an EHCP
- Experience of working with external stakeholders and agencies
- Experience of EHC Review Meetings
- Experience of providing support or line managing support staff
- Experience of developing and delivering training
- Experience of successfully supporting a culture of team work within a multi-disciplinary environment.
Desirable Criteria
- Holding and chairing of SEND related meetings, EHC Review meetings, person-centred reviews
- Assistive Technology and specialist software used in supporting learners with SEND, Deaf/Hard of Hearing learners
How Identified: Application/Interview
Specialist Knowledge
Essential Criteria
Essential Criteria
- Knowledge of support needs of learners with SEND/Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities
- Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) such as Dyslexia and Autism
- Education Health and Care Plans processes
- Ability to present and analyse information in a variety of forms
- Ability to identity and use strategies to meet a range of student needs
- In-depth understanding of the barriers to the education and work by learners who have learning difficulties/disabilities, sensory, physical impairments or other specific learning difficulties
- The ability to influence inclusive practice, improve aspirational learning support practice
- Ability to plan and produce quality learning resources to support learners to overcome barriers to learning.
Desirable Criteria
- Knowledge of High Needs support and funding
- Knowledge and experience of college business (e.g., structure, curriculum, support)
- Knowledge of Exam Access Arrangements
How Identified: Application/Interview
IT Skills
Essential Criteria
- Advanced use Microsoft Office applications and willing to undertake training appropriate to role
- Ability to use technology to generate information and reports
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of EBS student records system, electronic ILPs, Promonitor
How Identified: Application/Interview