An exciting opportunity has arisen to  work collaboratively with the wider Inclusion Service to improve outcomes for children with Autistic Spectrum Condition / Social Communication Difficulties.  This will be achieved by supporting schools to raise educational standards and ensuring that children and young people’s needs are met within an inclusive environment and the key principles for inclusion are embraced. 

1. To work within the core values of Knowsley Metropolitan Council.
2. To provide consultancy advice to schools and families on the following:

-        provision of a range of approaches to support pupils with  social/communication difficulties in a range of settings.

-        advice on a differentiated curriculum that offers opportunities for pupils to achieve.

-        in consultation with teaching and support staff formulate and contribute to the writing and implementation of targets for individuals and groups and ensure review in a timely fashion against set criteria. Include the involvement of pupils/students, parents and carers in the process, ensuring that all understand what targets have been set and why.

-        promoting practice which develops autism friendly learning environments.

-        to provide an advisory approach in the education settings to contribute to multi agency involvement.

-        to provide written documentation in the form of reports/action plans and contribute to the review process for children and young people.

-        attendance at relevant case conferences, reviews where appropriate. This will include compiling summary information on pupils/student progress that gives direct evidence on the nature of any added value provided by teaching and learning.

-  to provide advice to educational settings regarding appropriate resources and their implementation within the classroom and home setting.

1. To understand the physical, linguistic and psychological aspects of learning and communication in order to determine pupils levels of ability and potential linked to language development and the appropriate curriculum and to plan structured programmes of development accordingly.
2. To contribute to the assessment of the needs of pupils with ASC in collaboration with the educational psychologist, speech and language therapist and health professionals.
3. To work collaboratively with others, for example teaching

assistants, speech and language therapists, audiologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, educational  psychologists, ICT specialists  to extend pupils’ learning and communication.

1. To identify the need for, and provide appropriate training to schools in close collaboration with multi agency partners. Training needs to be organised and evaluated.
2. To maintain up to date knowledge of national developments in education practice, research, techniques etc and to share these with schools, the ASC Professionals’ Network and other agencies and evaluate their impact on Knowsley children and young people.
3. To support teachers and teaching assistants in to work together more effectively to support the participation and learning of pupils with ASC and Social Communication Difficulties.
4. Promote school to school support to facilitate the inclusion of pupils with ASC or Social Communication Difficulties.
5. To engage in teaching and support activities for children and young people with ASC e.g. ASC friendship groups.
6. To provide opportunities for parents to develop their knowledge of Autism in order to best support their child.
7. To support children and young people through transition. Transition may be from home to school, one school to another or from a school to a post 16 provider such as a further education college.
8. To ensure appropriate IT records are accurate and up to date,

Candidates should have:

-experience of leading innovative practice.

-an excellent teaching record.

-ability to lead flexibly, innovatively and responsively in a changing educational context

-evidence of ability to manage resources -effectively to meet service priorities

-evidence of ability to liaise effectively with schools, health, other agencies and parents

Successful applicants will enjoy the following benefits:

Easily accessible location (15 mins to Liverpool, 30 mins to Manchester by rail), with staff car parking permits available;

Working within a supportive and team orientated environment, based in the brand in Huyton;

Generous Local Government pension scheme

Access to working rewards including: cycle scheme, staff technology purchase scheme, discounted gym membership (with Volair), and a host of other local discounts.

A friendly, supportive and committed team with professional business support.

An opportunity to contribute to the design and development of the Service, enhancing our role through multi-agency working with a variety of partners.

An appropriate induction period and regular supervision.

Car user allowance and mileage.

Flexible home working arrangements and flexi-time working agreements.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Joanne Knight-Education Improvement Officer - SEND on 0151 443 3368 .