Job title: Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA), Adel Beck Secure Children’s Home – Grade SO1 (Term Time Only)
Salary: Actual Salary £27,816 - £28,816 plus Secure Unit Allowance of £2,583
Hours: 37 hours per week Mon-Fri
Contract: type Permanent
Are you resilient and empathetic, with the ability to inspire positive change in vulnerable young people who can be hard to engage? Do you have a good understanding of child and adolescent development, a restorative approach and relevant experience? If the answer’s yes, the role of HLTA at Adel Beck Secure Children’s Home could be right for you.
At Adel Beck we care for 24 young people aged 10 to 18. They are referred to us following court proceedings, placed on remand or sentenced to a period of detention, or because they need to be placed in secure accommodation for their own safety or the safety of others. You will lead a team of care practitioners who have a vital role in the daily lives and long-term outlook for the vulnerable young people at Adel Beck, who may have complex needs and display challenging behaviours.
Our goal is to inspire change in attitudes, behaviours, learning and emotions. We want to enable every young person to grow up and make a positive contribution as part of their family and wider community, safe from risk-taking behaviour, exploitation and offending.
We are committed to the ambition of Child Friendly Leeds. We want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence.
The role
As an HLTA, you will be expected to provide 1:1 support for our young people with additional learning needs in accessing all aspects of the curriculum. You will also be required to plan, deliver and assess learning activities in consultation with curriculum subject leads.
About you
We are looking for experienced, enthusiastic, adaptable candidates with the personal qualities to connect with and inspire vulnerable children and young people. You must have:
1. Good IT skills particularly in MS Office Word, Excel and database programmes, email and the Internet
2. Good interpersonal and communication skills, including face-to-face, telephone and written communication skills
3. Able to listen actively, ask questions, clarify points and check understanding
4. Ability to deal positively and objectively with challenging pupils
5. Ability to demonstrate an ability to work as part of a team
6. Ability to work using own initiative and adhere to strict timescales
7. Effective skills in the facilitation of mentoring, supervising and developing pupils with a wide spectrum learning styles and educational needs
8. Ability to manage self and work under pressure
9. Ability to lead learning activities and monitor progress of young people within their subject area.
We expect the following experience and qualifications:
10. 5 GCSEs at grade C or above including English and mathematics
Level 4 qualification in education delivery or commitment to achieving the qualification within a reasonable period (we pay the course fees)
11. understanding of child and adolescent development
12. understanding of restorative and trauma-informed practice
13. knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and child protection and safeguarding principles
14. experience working in a residential childcare/education environment and of supporting children or young people with complex and challenging behaviour
15. experience of delivering learning activities within a classroom environment and on a 1:1 basis with young people.
What we offer you
You’ll be part of a supportive team which has your wellbeing and professional development at heart. There’s no greater job satisfaction than seeing the difference you make every day to the lives of children and young people.
We offer:
16. a competitive salary plus allowances
17. funding for you to study for relevant qualifications
18. ongoing training opportunities for you to build the skills you need to do your best for the young people in your care
19. a clear career path for the right candidates through the team structure, with potential for progression
20. a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
21. membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund
How to apply
Before applying please read the job description and employee specification carefully. To apply you should submit:
22. a Leeds City Council application form
23. a supporting statement (maximum 1 page) explaining your suitability for the role
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Job Description
Job Purpose : All staff are required to support the Home’s main purpose of encouraging and enabling children and young people to develop attitudinally, behaviourally, educationally and emotionally in order that they may deliver positive contributions to their families, society and their local communities whilst reducing offending, resulting in the decrease in victims of youth crime. To create and maintain a customer focused attitude and approach at all times that promotes positive relationships and generates a culture of openness and trust. To deliver efficient, effective and quality services by way of flexible working. To work together with colleagues from all other service areas within the home to provide and maintain a safe and secure living and learning environment that promotes the safety and welfare of children and young people in which they can prosper, develop and achieve. To foster, maintain and support pro-social behaviour, a restorative and solution focussed approach with, children, young people and colleagues.
To contribute to a wide range of teaching and learning activities within the education facility that meets with Education Standards, National Curriculum, Children’s Homes Regulations, Children’s Homes National Minimum Standards, Youth Justice Standards, Stakeholders, Contractual requirements, Leeds City Council and the homes policies, procedures and guidance. To advance pupils’ learning in a range of classroom settings, including working with individuals and small groups. To take a lead role in, trauma informed practice, (Trauma Recovery Model), behaviour support, corridor management and class to class transition. To provide Special Educational Needs (SEN) support for pupils on the SEN register. To support young people to regulate and engage in education activities in line with Trauma Recovery Model.
Responsibilities:
Teaching and Learning:
24. Promote and support the inclusion of all pupils in a classroom setting, specifically young people whose SEMH needs present a barrier to learning within the Trauma Recovery Model and/or are identified as having specific need through their EHCP for additional support.
25. Work 1:1 with young people as directed by the SENDCO providing interventions with the Trauma Recovery Model.
26. Use behaviour management strategies, in line with the education facility’s policy and procedures, and the Trauma Recovery Model to contribute to a purposeful learning environment and encourage pupils to interact and work co-operatively with others
27. In accordance with arrangements made by the teaching staff, progress pupils’ learning in a range of classroom settings, working with individuals to regulate and stabilise their behaviours and responses, so that they can re-engage with education and learning.
28. Support teachers in organising and safely managing the appropriate learning environment and resources
29. Promote and reinforce pupils’ self-esteem, independence and employ strategies to recognise and reward achievement of self-reliance.
Monitoring and Assessment:
30. With teachers, evaluate pupils’ progress through a range of assessment activities as well as assessing their own lessons where they are the lead coach.
31. Assess pupils’ responses to learning tasks and where appropriate, modify methods to meet individual and/or group needs e.g. co-regulation and stabilising activities in line with the Trauma Recovery Model.
32. Monitor pupils’ participation and progress and provide constructive feedback to pupils in relation to their progress and achievement, particularly regarding SEMH and Trauma Recovery.
33. Assist in maintaining and analysing records of pupils’ progress in relation to behaviour and SEMH.
Mentoring, Supervision and Development:
34. Contribute to programmes of observation and assessment as planned by the teacher and contribute towards reports, evaluations and other information to assist in the provision of appropriate support for specific children, with particular reference to stabilising and Trauma Recovery progress
35. Create reports and assessments for young people where they are the lead coach.
36. Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the school by attending relevant meetings and contributing to the development of policies and procedures within the school. Also participate in staff meetings and training days/events as requested.
37. To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
38. To improve own practice, including through observation, evaluation and discussion with colleagues CPD programmes.
Behavioural and Pastoral:
39. Recognise and challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant school policies and procedures and making sure the individual/s involved understand it is unacceptable.
40. Understand and implement school child protection and safeguarding procedures and comply with legal responsibilities.
41. Foster and maintain constructive and supportive relationships with parents/carers, exchanging appropriate information, facilitating their support for their child’s attendance, access and learning, and supporting home to school and community links.
Special Educational Needs (SEN):
42. Work with professional or specialist support staff involved in the children’s education. These may include social workers, health visitors, language support staff, speech therapists, behaviour support teachers, minority group support teachers, educational psychologists, and physiotherapists.
43. Provide targeted 1:1 support to ensure young people have positive learning experiences and to reengage with education.
44. Support the teaching of Wave 2 and 3 intervention packages to support learning and lead on this with other staff when delivering specialist subject sessions.
45. Be familiar with SEN school action records, Individual Learning Plan (ILP) targets, and programmes of intervention.
46. Assist the class teacher in encouraging acceptance and integration of children with special needs, or from different cultures and/or with different first language, particularly those with SEMH needs in line with the Trauma Recovery Programme.
47. Where relevant, to guide the work of other adults supporting teaching and learning in the classroom for young people with SEMH needs.
Other:
48. Provide support for new learning support staff and contribute to their induction
49. To participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills
50. To undertake other duties appropriate to the post as required by the Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher or Class Teacher
51. Be familiar with risk assessments relating to both individual pupils and activities
52. To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council policies, procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures
53. To physically restrain and control in line with approved restraint techniques, guidelines and procedure (SI©) (training will be provided)
54. Develop self to enhance performance and practice through reflection and learning, share knowledge, best practice, promote ideas for innovation and improvement and use information to take effective decisions.
55. To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council policies, procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
56. To actively promote and support Leeds City Council's and Departmental Policies on Equal Opportunities and to work in an anti-oppressive manner
Qualifications:
5 GCSEs at grade C or above including English and mathematics are essential.
A Level 4 HTLA qualification and additional qualifications or experience in working with young people with additional learning needs are desirable before appointment, however, successful candidates without HLTA status will need to be to undertake and pass the qualification following their probation period.
Person specification
Essential requirements: The candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities. We will use one or more methods to assess whether candidates meet the essential requirements, including application form, interview, test and certificate.
We will only shortlist candidates for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.
Skills required
57. IT skills particularly in MS Office Word, Excel and database programmes, email and the Internet
58. Good interpersonal and communication skills, including face-to-face, telephone and written communication skills
59. Able to listen actively, ask questions, clarify points and check understanding
60. Able to deal positively and objectively with challenging pupils
61. Able to demonstrate an ability to work as part of a team
62. Able to work using own initiative and adhere to strict timescales
63. Able to develop and maintain manual and computerised administrative systems and databases
64. Effective facilitator of mentoring, supervising and developing pupils with a wide spectrum learning styles and educational needs
65. Able to manage self and work under pressure
66. Able to lead learning activities and monitor progress of young people within their subject area.
Knowledge required
67. Working knowledge of Youth Justice systems and methodology
68. Knowledge and experience of work with difficult and demanding young people.
69. Knowledge/Awareness of differentiated learning
70. Knowledge of National Minimum Standards for Children’s Homes (England and Wales)
71. Knowledge of the Ofsted Framework for Education
Experience required
72. Experience in the field of Special Education
73. Experience in providing learning support in formal and informal contexts on a one to one basis and provide supervision of young people
74. Experience of working in a team and on own initiative
75. Experience in working with young people in conflict and in crisis.
76. Experience in face-to-face service delivery with young people
77. Experience of working with and implementing restorative approaches
78. Experience of working with external agencies in relation to pupil support
79. Experience of maintaining electronic and computerised records
80. Experience of delivering and assessing bespoke learning activities to young people with additional learning needs
Behavioural and other characteristics required
81. Committed to continuous improvement.
82. Ability to understand, observe and deliver the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
83. To carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under the Council’s Health & Safety Policies.
84. Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development.
85. Awareness of and commitment to respect and observe the sensitive and confidential nature of the information relating to pupils
86. Commitment to own personal development and learning
87. Committed approach towards completing tasks accurately and to timescale to achieve the Home’s aims and objectives
Physical Conditions: The post holder will be based at Adel Beck a purpose-built Secure Children’s Home for males and females (ages 10 – 18). Leeds City Council has a no smoking policy.
Relationships: The post holder will be required to work as a member of a small teaching and learning team, maintaining positive working relationships with colleagues, children and young people, carers and external agencies. The post holder will maintain effective relationships with staff at all levels within Children’s Services, other Council Directorates, Elected Members, external agencies and the general public.
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