Job title: Area Lead Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Salary: MPS/UPS + 2 SEN + TLR 2B
Hours: 32.5 per week- Teachers Pay and Conditions
Contract: Permanent
Location: City-wide. Office Base: Technorth, 9 Harrogate Rd, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 3NB
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Leeds Visual Impairment Team. We are looking to appoint a qualified and experienced teacher of the visually impaired to the role of a city-wide lead in one of the following designated fields:
* Early Years education and development (Birth to end of Foundation Stage)
* Primary education
* Secondary education (including 6th form)
* Additional needs and vision impairment
The postholder will work within a team of professionals supporting visually impaired children and young people across the city in homes and mainstream and specialist settings. Successful experience of multi-agency working that improves outcomes for children is essential, as is experience of working supportively with families. The teacher appointed will lead the development of practice for children and young people with visual impairment in one of the above designated fields, advising professional colleagues and delivering training for staff in settings across the city.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About You
* Qualified teacher status (Mandatory qualification for Teacher of the VI or MSI)
* Excellent leadership and management skills
* Up-to-date and in-depth knowledge of one of the following areas and how to raise achievement for VI learners: Early Years education and development (Birth to end of Foundation Stage), Primary education, Secondary education (including 6th form), Additional needs and VI MSI
* Experience of management within an education service, school or a service for vision impaired children
* Experience as a Teacher of the VI or MSI, including working in a peripatetic/advisory role
* Experience of working in partnership with, and influencing, families and professionals to improve outcomes for CYP with VI/MSI
About The Role
You will be an enthusiastic, motivated professional with excellent interpersonal and organisational skills, flexibility, the ability to work collaboratively to contribute to the wider SEND Inclusion Team within the Service.
As an Area Lead you will lead and manage VIT staff allocated to the specified area of need, providing professional lead and supervision as well as day‑to‑day management, modelling restorative, reflective and child‑centred practice.
You will be part of the Senior Management Team within VIT and play a role in contributing to service development, policy implementation and ongoing performance improvement, ensuring that the children and young people meet their potential, have equitable access to the curriculum and develop skills and independence to prepare them for adulthood.
What We Offer You
* a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
* membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
* flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
* a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
* a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
Job Responsibilities
* Responsible for the provision of service to learners with VI in the designated area
* Ensure referrals are addressed, assessments conducted and provision is in place
* Lead, manage and deploy VIT staff allocated to the specified area, providing professional lead and supervision as well as day‑to‑day management
* Ensure the highest quality of provision from VIT professionals working in the specified area
* Monitor the outcomes for VI children in the area
* Advise the Area Lead for Complex Needs regarding individual children
* Liaise effectively with other professionals and agencies to ensure a joined‑up approach around individual children and families
* Contribute to the overall development of the Sensory Service and the area complex needs team
* Perform the role of Teacher of the VI in relation to pupils in the designated area of need
* Assess and provide advice on the individual needs of children, including statutory advice
* Provide training to mainstream staff and other professionals
* Devise educational plans and teaching as appropriate
* Set pupil targets in liaison with other professionals and be accountable for progress and outcomes
* Deliver teaching of the mainstream and/or specialist curriculum as appropriate
* Monitor, report on and respond to the progress of children in relation to the mainstream and/or specialist curriculum and adjust interventions as appropriate
* Promote and monitor the outcomes for children as laid out in the CYPP including the social and emotional welfare of children
* Enable and promote a cohesive multi‑disciplinary and multi‑agency approach to meeting children’s needs
* Promote the engagement and influence of children and families in their education and in service delivery
* Take appropriate steps to promote and ensure the safeguarding of children while following agreed policies and practice
* Maintain effective relationships with staff at all levels within Children’s Services, other council directorates, elected members, external agencies and the general public
Principal Responsibilities for the Designated Field
* Develop good practice, policies and protocols in the service in relation to the designated field
* Provide advice and updates to service staff and others regarding developments and good practice in the designated field, whether related to mainstream curriculum initiatives or specialist good practice
* Work with colleagues to ensure good transition processes are in place between phases
* Develop strategies for ensuring the influence of the voice of the child
* Comply with duties set out and any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the grade for this post
Qualifications
Qualified teacher status (Mandatory qualification for Teacher of the VI or MSI)
Essential Requirements
* Effective leadership and management skills
* Excellent teaching skills in planning, delivery, assessment and monitoring
* Excellent training, advisory, communication and influencing skills with children, families and professionals
* Good ICT skills
* Experience of providing advice and support to colleagues
* Experience as a Teacher of the VI or MSI, including a peripatetic/advisory role
* Experience of monitoring, analysing and evaluating service impact and outcomes for children
* Experience of seeking and listening to the voice of children and families in shaping service delivery
* Experience of working in partnership with, and influencing, families and professionals to improve outcomes for CYP with VI/MSI
* High expectations of children with VI/MSI
* Committed to partnership working with relevant agencies, children, young people and families
* Committed to the full inclusion of children with SEN in educational settings
* Understand and embrace Leeds City Council values, behaviours and codes of conduct
* Committed to continuous improvement and to delivering the Leeds ambitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities and a resilient sustainable city
* Able to understand and observe council policies and procedures
* Carry out duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under health, safety and wellbeing
* Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up‑to‑date knowledge and skills
* Support equality and oppose discrimination; recognise and challenge incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation and abuse
* Flexible and adaptable to change and able to work within the flexibility protocol expected for the role
Desirable Requirements
* Experience of managing others
EEO Statement
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
Safeguarding Statement
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
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