Job Description

Pastoral Support Welfare Officer

(

Job Reference:

25007010

)

Primary Location

Antrim-Ballyclare-Ballyclare Secondary School

Contract Type

Fixed-Term (May be subject to extension or reduced for any valid reason)

Duration of Contract/Contract End Date

30/6/2027

Status

Full-Time

Contract Options

Flexible working arrangements available during school holidays (E.g. Option 1, 2, 3)

Hours per Week

36

Working Pattern

Monday-Friday

Grade/Scale

Senior Executive Officer | NJC pts 23 - 26 | 34,434 - 37,280 per annum

Additional Allowance(s)

Not Applicable

Anticipated Interview Date(s)

TBC

Additional Information

N/A

JOB DESCRIPTION

Post:

Pastoral Support & Welfare Officer

Reporting to:

Pastoral Vice Principal / Designated Teacher for Child Protection

Hours:

36 hours per week

Salary:

Senior Executive Officer | NJC pts 23 - 26 | 34,434 - 37,280 per annum

Contract:

Fixed Term (May be subject to extension or reduced for any valid reason)

RELATED SERVICES:

Be a member of the School Safeguarding Team and assist in the completion of UNOCINIs if required. Attend case conferences and LAC reviews on behalf of and with students. Undertake home visits as and when required. Mobilise family, school, and community-based resources to enable the child to learn as

effectively as possible in his or her educational program.Assist in developing early intervention strategies to address pupil needs including mental

health, emotional literacy, self-discipline and negative peer and community influences.Ensuring up to date records of students and family engagement. Utilise a variety of sources of evidence to demonstrate impact in the role on a termly basis via

a termly review report - students/ parental/ external feedback, student voice, attendance
statistics, case conference attendance statistics, behavioural record and any other source of
evidence that will demonstrate impact.Work closely with the Safeguarding team and meeting on weekly basis.

SERVICES TO STUDENTS:

Provide crisis intervention. Develop intervention strategies to support academic success. Use restorative approaches to address and reduce conflict and/or wrongdoing. Assist the student to develop emotional literacy and positive social interaction skills. Act as advocate for students in case conferences. Have appropriate programmes and support in place for targeted students.

SERVICES TO PARENT/FAMILIES:

Develop positive working relationships with parents/carers to support student's school

progress.Provide support to families that are struggling to access school and community resources.

SERVICES TO SCHOOL PERSONNEL:

Provide staff with essential information to better understand factors (cultural, societal,

economic, familial, health, etc.) affecting a student's performance and behaviour.Undertake assessments on pupils who may have mental health issues. Develop staff in-service training programs on factors that impinge on students' progress at

school e.g., trauma, neglect, domestic abuse.Work with teachers to strengthen and restore relationships when issues arise. Provide direct support to staff when required.

SCHOOL-COMMUNITY LIAISON:

Help school maintain positive working relationships with external agencies. Identify and build an inventory of local community resources and external support service. Make referrals to appropriate statutory, voluntary and community organisations when

student and/or family support is required.Advocate for new and improved community/school service to meet the needs of students and

families.Help the system respond effectively to each students' needs. Identify, report, and process any safeguarding issues. Provide case management for students and families requiring multiple resources.

This post is subject to an annual performance review.

This job may be altered from time to time in line with the developing needs of the School.

Criteria for this post may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting.

Evaluated at SEO grade, SCP19-25 (21 March 2023)

FLE

XIBLE WORKING OPTIONS AVAILABLE

OPTION 1

You are required to be on duty during school term plus two additional weeks. The timing of the two additional weeks is at the discretion of the Principal of the school.

OR

OPTION 2

You are required to be on duty for the contracted weekly hours, working during periods of school closure except when on annual leave or other authorised absence. Duties will normally be provided by the school. However, where necessary, alternative work and/or training will be provided by the Authority at any other such place of employment as may be reasonably required.

OR

OPTION 3

To work as for option 2 with a further option to request periods of unpaid leave during extended school holidays or closures.

This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria.

SECTION 1 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

The following are

essential

criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which

may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage

. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor

Essential Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications/ Experience

Hold a recognised Social Work or other relevant qualification.
Are registered with NISCC or be eligible for registration or have lodged an application with the NISCC or other equivalent organisation.

Have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for business) that will enable you to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner OR do you have access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable you to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner.

Have 2-years' post-qualification experience.

Experience of multidisciplinary working with children and families.

Are committed to regular supervision and complete Professionals in Practice (PIP) requirements in line with NISCC registration.
Can demonstrate an understanding of the specific challenges of Looked After Children (LAC) in a school setting.

Can demonstrate an understanding of the specific challenges of a range of students in a school setting.

Ability to prepare risk Management Plans where required.

Ability to assist with the implementation of relevant school policy.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Skills / Abilities

Demonstrable evidence of proficiency in the use of computer packages, to include use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

The following are

additional

essential

criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage.

Factor

Essential Criteria

Method of Assessment

Knowledge

Evidence of knowledge of the requirements of a Senior Executive Officer

Interview

Skills/Abilities

Proven effective planning and organisational skills and an ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines

Evidence of a customer focused approach to work
Demonstrable people management and team skills to successfully motivate and manage others

Evidence of sound interpersonal and communication skills

Interview

Values Orientation

Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect the school's values/ethos. Show commitment to integrated, all-inclusive, and all-ability education

Interview

SECTION 3 - DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor

Desirable Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience/ Knowledge

Have experience working with a range of stakeholders, including community and voluntary organisations.
Can demonstrate how impact could be measured in the role.


Can demonstrate the ability to work with other agencies such as CAMHS, PSNI and Social Services



Shortlisting by Application Form

DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as 'regulated activity'.

In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves 'regulated activity', the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background.

Please note that you

WILL

be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.

Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.