Pupil Support Assistant – Communication Needs Specialism (Vision Support)

Job Summary

Salary will be pro-rated for part-time and term-time hours. This position is temporary.

2 x PSA Communications Specialism (Vision Support) – Temporary 23-month contract

East Dunbartonshire Council’s Sensory Service is seeking two motivated and compassionate Pupil Support Assistants (Communication Specialism – Vision Support) to join our team. This rewarding role provides an opportunity to support children with visual impairment to fully access their education and participate in school life.

Within a peripatetic role, you will support children with visual impairment across a range of educational establishments, including nurseries and schools. Working under the direction of Teachers of the Visually Impaired and alongside school staff, the postholders will support children to access the curriculum through alternative communication and learning approaches, including braille and appropriately adapted materials where required. They will support children to follow the direction of the class teacher and help organise their work to enable effective participation in class.

The postholder will also support pupils during activities out with the classroom, including in playgrounds, corridors, dining areas, physical education and educational visits, ensuring learners’ safety, wellbeing, and engagement.

Experience of working with children with additional support needs and an interest in their development would be advantageous. A commitment to professional learning is essential, as the successful candidates will undertake training and development in braille competency and the adaptation of learning materials.

A certificate in Braille or equivalent experience would be advantageous. As part of the Vision Support Service, the postholders will benefit from ongoing support and guidance from Teachers of the Visually Impaired. There will be opportunities to work alongside them in a variety of settings, enabling the successful candidates to develop the specialist knowledge, confidence and practical skills required to effectively support learners with visual impairment.

PVG/Disclosure Scotland

The following criteria applies to all roles within East Dunbartonshire Council where PVG/Disclosure checks are essential criteria.

Where the post you are applying for is considered a Regulated Role under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020, successful candidates will be required to join the PVG Scheme, or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check, prior to confirmation of employment being made by East Dunbartonshire Council.

Please note, successful candidates will be expected to meet the cost of the relevant check which will be deducted from the successful candidate’s first salary payment. Successful candidates who withdraw their application after the check process has started will be invoiced for the cost of the check.

In specific circumstances the payment could be deducted in instalments from an employee’s wages following commencement of employment. Approval in such circumstances will be made by the HR &OD Manager.

Should an employee leave in advance of the payment being deducted, the full amount will be deducted from the employee’s final salary.

The criteria outlined above will apply to existing employees of East Dunbartonshire Council who apply for roles for which a PVG/Disclosure check is required.

Charter of Commitment

The commitment by East Dunbartonshire Council to job applicants is as follows:

• Individuals will be treated in a polite, friendly and welcoming manner.

 

• Equalities monitoring will be conducted to ensure a fair and equitable process with

screening being carried out to anonymise sensitive information such as age, gender and disability.

 

• The information that we receive will be treated in confidence and with discretion. Only the relevant HR representative/team and the relevant service will see the application form.

 

• We will encourage and welcome applications from applicants under the disability symbol. Where the essential criteria are met an interview will be offered to those applying under the disability symbol.

 

• We will be pleased to make any reasonable adjustments to ensure accessibility at the interview.

 

• We will advise you within reasonable time after the closing date if you have not met the interview criteria. (Normally within 4 weeks)

 

• We will advise you of meeting the criteria for interview normally within 3 weeks.

 

• We will advise you if you have been successful or unsuccessful at the interview stage as soon as practically possible.

Website

www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk