Job Description

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Description

Promote independence for our students through learning and enabling support.



Hours: 32.5 hours, 09:00 to 16;00

This role is term time only, 39 weeks with 6.15 weeks paid annual leave###

Key Responsibilities

Learning

Recognising & Recording progress of students against their targets Understand Curriculum area and broad course objectives including the techniques utilised to evidence progress (such as photographs, videos, and witness statements). Participate in team meetings Adaptable approach to different learning styles of our students Understand disability theory & practical implementation of this to engage students in learning Adapt styles of communication to develop a positive and constructive learning environment Liaise and implement strategies from specialists (IT/SLT/ Physio) Support communication through the development of your own skills in communication methods (PECs/Makaton/BSL) Support Tutors to ensure the classroom environment is suitable for students sensory or support needs Support Tutor in the creation and preparation of differentiated resources.


Personal Tutoring

Undertake tutorials with your assigned students on a regularly directed basis. Agree with your assigned students, a range of targets and review these regularly. Attend and participate in the annual and transitions reviews for your students


Social & Emotional Support

Recognise the social and emotional needs of our students and adapt your support in line with the agreed strategies to support positive improvements Contribute to the development and updating of Positive Support Plans and Risk Assessments De-escalate behaviour that challenges in line with the positive behaviour support plan, utilising all training and MAPA techniques where applicable. Undertake preventative work to reduce the likelihood of behaviour that challenges.


Break & Lunch Support

During unstructured time, support students to ensure ratios and safety are addressed at all times. Support the students to engage with their peers or chosen activities. Lead and support students during club/ directed study or enrichment activities, sharing your knowledge where applicable.


Personal Care

Support students with a range of hygiene needs, including feeding, toileting and changing clothes. Ensure the personal care needs are met in line with care plan and performed with respect and dignity. Support students to access the full campus and activities, which may require you to push wheelchairs/ guide wheelchairs/ sighted guide students.


General

Use technology to access information on students to ensure their support needs are met. Ability to talk to external professionals, families and careers, where directed to support students Participate in personal education, including mandatory and skills development training Actively engage with Peer Mentoring for yourself, along with new and existing colleagues. Support students to access activities in the community to develop their independence.
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Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Level 2 - English & Maths (equivalent)



Experience of working effectively with young adults with barriers to learning



Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills



Good IT skills, including word processing, Excel and Microsoft Programme



Ability to communicate effectively with young adults with barriers to learning, including those who may present behaviours that challenge



To have previous experience of SEN learners with moderate to severe learning difficulties and be able to provide the associated curriculum, approaches and strategies.



Ability to communicate effectively with staff, parents, carers, and other external contacts, at all levels, using a variety of media.



To be able to demonstrate learning strategies as appropriate to people with visual impairment and autism and/ or complex disabilities.



To be familiar with communication methods and access technology as appropriate to learners with visual impairment and other disabilities.###

Why work at Queen Alexandra Charity Birmingham

Join our team at Queen Alexandra College!

Are you passionate about making a difference to the lives of students with special educational needs? Do you thrive in an inclusive and supportive academic environment? If so, we want YOU to join our team. QAC has just gone through an exciting rebrand, dealt with a period of swift growth and academic improvement and this is your opportunity to become part of a vibrant College that is moving forward and making a real difference to the lives and futures of our students.

The newly structured Queen Alexandra Charity Birmingham offers you the chance to have a positive impact as you join a committed group of colleagues in ensuring that all students achieve their aims and aspirations. We are dedicated to providing exceptional education and support to students with diverse learning needs and life experiences. Our specialist setting fosters an inclusive community where every student is valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

QAC offers a vibrant, varied and enriching educational experience for both residential and day students. Our curriculum aims to maximise adult life, independence and work opportunities for all students. Class sizes are designed to meet specific needs and support levels are high.

Joining our supportive team, you will have the opportunity to:
Work closely with students with SEN to achieve their goals Make a difference to the educational experience of young people Be a voice for students and staff in specialist education Foster a positive and inclusive learning environment, promoting academic growth, self-development and self-confidence Develop your own skills, aspirations and progress your career.



Our benefits include;

Schedule 1 Benefits (reviewed annually and/or as appropriate)

Academic Year 2024/25

Access to on site car parking Use of QAC Fitness Centre (subject to opening hours) Cycle to Work Scheme (Salary Sacrifice) 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme Helpline (BHSF) Access to Education Support Free Helpline for Teachers & Education Staff QAC Mental Health First Aiders & activities to support health and wellbeing BHSF Benefits Package including Healthcare Plans, discounted shopping/services Annual Flu vaccination/voucher Access to other benefit/discount schemes (which may be subject to charge) e.g. Blue Light Card, TOTUM (NUS), Charity Worker Discounts, Discounts for Teachers Dell Advantage programme - a free programme that offers savings to students, parents and all staff at QAC - up to 20% off. https://www.dell.com/en-uk/lp/dell-advantage Health and Wellbeing Services (Occupational Health/Counselling) Free Tea/Coffee and Staff Room facilities Dining Room facilities with hot/cold food (free meal provided for those supporting students at mealtimes) Additional discretionary concessionary/closure days as part of leave entitlement (including closure over Christmas/New Year period) Reward and Recognition Policy - Living the Values Awards (team & individual) and long service Enhanced/Occupational paid leave e.g. maternity/paternity (subject to qualifying criteria) Occupational sick pay (based on length of service) On site wellbeing activities (e.g. yoga, meditation) Support for training/ CPD (either by way of study leave and/or funding) Flexible working arrangements including Flexible Working Policy Agreements, Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) in prior agreement with line manager.


This list is not exhaustive and may be subject to review and/or change.



We look forward to receiving your application and knowing more about your qualifications, skills,

personal qualities and experience that you would bring to the role and to QAC. Please take time to

review the job description above.



Please upload a CV/Resumewith details of your full employment history (since leaving school,
including education, employment and voluntary work) including reasons for any gaps in

employment. This should also include a statement of the personal qualities and experience you

believe are relevant to your suitability for the post and how this meets the job description and

person specification requirements. Your CV/Resumewill be re-produced in a standard format by
the system (without personal identifiers) to assist us in our anonymised shortlisting process.

Under Section 7 of SVGA 2006 it is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from

engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. The College's Safeguarding Policies are

available here



As part of our commitment to safer recruitment, and in line with updated guidance published in

September 2022, we will carry out an online search of all shortlisted candidates. This search may

enable us to identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and publicly available for review

online, which we may wish to explore with you in further detail during the interview process. As part

of your application we have asked you to provide the account names, usernames and/or handles for

any social media platform that you use, as well as the names of any websites that you own, post on,

or contribute to. A Google search will also be conducted. These checks will only be conducted if you

are shortlisted for interview. Please see our safer recruitment and selection policy for further

information.###

About Queen Alexandra Charity

Queen Alexandra Charity (QAC) provides education, residential support, community services and enterprises in support of young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities.



Education is provided through a national residential College that supports a diverse range of student/client abilities and needs. Our College provides education, training, routes to independent living and employment through an innovative, holistic approach to learning and support. It offers a vibrant, varied and fun educational experience for both residential and day students. Our curriculum aims to maximise adult life, independence and work opportunities for all students. Class sizes are small and support levels high.



We have educational and learning sites based in Birmingham, one of Europe's most welcoming and vibrant cities, with a rich and diverse culture. Our main site is based in Harborne, a pleasant leafy Birmingham suburb, on a friendly and green 8-acre campus with excellent facilities and resources. In addition we also have Pinewood Campus which is located on a business park and is designated to employment progression.



Clients within our Residential Services programme still require support and the aim is to deliver a service that provides them with the means to live independently/semi independently into the future. Many clients are either in education, voluntary work or paid employment not linked to QAC directly.



Our Community Services based at our Umberslade Campus in Stirchley include a supporter worker service, women's group, men's group, LGBTQ plus group, Saturday Socials, The Night Owl Experience (disability friendly night club visit in Birmingham City Centre).

All students, clients and staff are supported within safe and well-resourced environments.



QAC makes a positive difference to the lives and learning of people with disabilities and learning difficulties. We have high expectations of staff, students and clients whilst being responsive, innovative and collaborative. Our Charity values drive how we work with students, clients, stakeholders and as a team.

We continue to attract and retain staff of the highest calibre, who are proud of QAC's achievements and who wish to be an integral part of ongoing and future successes.

As Leaders in Diversity which drives the culture at QAC and we warmly welcome applications from individuals who share our values, from all backgrounds, to add to our committed and diverse team.