Specialist Teacher for Visual Impairment

REF: 50019951

Hours p/w: 0.6 FTE on Teachers pay and conditions

Milton Keynes is a rapidly expanding, vibrant and dynamic place to live, work and play. How better to contribute to that continued success than through a unique and rewarding career with Milton Keynes Council. So if you’re looking for an excellent benefits package and the chance to make a difference, make a move to Milton Keynes Council.

An experienced and enthusiastic teacher to join the Sensory-ICT Team on a 0.6 fte basis required for April 2018. The successful applicant will work as part of a Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) team to work in partnership with families, settings and schools in MK to meet the needs of children and young people (CYP) with a visual impairment.

We are seeking a teacher who:

• Can plan and deliver teaching interventions that will increase access to the curriculum and raise the attainment and achievement of CYP with a visual impairment.
• Has a further specialist qualification and/or experience in this field.
• Can advise, support and train others in a variety of settings in developing access to the curriculum, literacy, mobility, technology and social and emotional well being for a CYP with visual impairment.
• Can work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Can work with and support parents/carers with a child who has a visual impairment.
• The post is subject to safer recruitment practices.

Key Duties:

• Provide advice, support and information as a peripatetic teacher;
• Assist to plan, develop and successfully implement service plans, objectives, targets and policies;
• Plan, develop, deliver appropriate professional development for whole-school, teachers and other adults in the education of CYP with Visual Impairments;
• Maintain a caseload of CYP with Education Health Care (EHC) plan and those requiring SEND support who should have a need for advice from a Specialist Teacher for Visual Impairment from all Key Stages;
• Work with schools and settings to develop their policy and practice in improving the teaching and learning for CYP with Visual Impairments, including providing specialist advice and support to raise achievement and promote inclusion; advise classroom teachers, SENCOs, parents and the CYP with Visual Impairments on teaching and learning styles, differentiation, ICT/ technologies and practical strategies to enable access to the curriculum and social opportunities;
• Work with CYP with Visual Impairments and the their families to develop future provision;
• Support the management and maintenance of technologies used by CYP with a Visual Impairment;
• Develop teaching programmes e.g. literacy development, mobility and social and emotional well-being to meet individual needs;
• Undertake assessment of CYP with visual impairments as necessary, including the provision of advice for the school and LA as part of formal staged assessment process. This includes target setting and the development of individual provision grids relating to provision management;
• Increase the involvement of CYP with visual impairments in developing a pupil voice;
• Maintain and extend your own professional knowledge and skills, including new developments in the education of CYP with visual impairments;
• Support families/settings and schools in Milton Keynes to monitor and evaluate the progress of CYP with visual Impairments, including maintaining an information base;
• Liaise with professionals from other disciplines as appropriate;
• Work as part of a specialist team of teachers under the direction of the Manager of the Sensory-ICT Team.

Experience, Qualifications and any Mandatory Requirements

• Educated to degree level;
• Qualified teacher status;
• Evidence of up to date knowledge of relevant professional developments and ability and willingness to continue professional development in the field of Visual Impairment and SEND;
• Post-graduate Qualification Teacher for Visually Impaired (QTVI) or willing to undertake a two year Mandatory Qualification.

Skills Required

• Experience of working in a peripatetic role;
• Well organised and motivated;
• Ability to plan and prioritise work using initiative when required;
• Experience of promoting inclusion of CYP with Visual Impairments within a mainstream school/setting and with parents;
• Experience of delivering INSET;
• Establishing and maintaining good relationships with CYP, parents/carers and other adults so that a consistent and unified approach is adopted to meet the needs of CYP;
• Possess high level of interpersonal skills;
• Working collaboratively with colleagues within and across agencies promoting this as an effective style of working;
• An ability to respond flexibly, working with a range of environments and situations to meet the needs of CYP with Visual Impairments;
• Demonstrate understanding of the impact of Visual Impairment on CYP’s literacy, social skills, technology, learning and their engagement in school and community life;
• Ability to have a commitment to a safe and supportive environment that secures the well-being and best outcomes for CYP;
• Involvement in raising the attainment and progress of CYP with Visual Impairments and promoting their educational inclusion through whole school/setting and home development;
• Demonstrate ability to work independently and on own initiative within LA strategies and policies;
• Ability to assess the curriculum, literacy, technologies and social needs of CYP with Visual Impairments and work towards closing the gaps with Non SEND peers;
• Demonstrate ability to work with parents of CYP with Visual Impairment;
• Ensure that all work undertaken enables full access for all people regardless of ethnic background, gender, or any disability or impairment;
• Participate in the performance management process as laid out in teacher’s condition of service as agreed by the Milton Keynes Council;
• Ensure a safe and supportive environment to secure the well-being and best outcomes for all CYP;
• Ensure that safeguarding processes are adhered to, and promoted within all settings at all times.

Departmental Benefits of this role

• Statutory advice and support for children, young people with visual impairment;
• Children and young people with visual impairment - attainment and access supported and developed;
• Career development in a specialised field;
• Training and development in the field of SEND.

Milton Keynes Council Benefits

Use your skills to benefit the local community and experience a rewarding, interesting environment and attractive employment package such as:

• Local Government Pension Scheme, considered to be one of the best employer contribution rates;
• A generous minimum holiday entitlement of 27 days per year in addition to statutory and public holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years;
• Option to buy more annual leave;
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Paternity entitlements;
• Excellent in-house management development programmes endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management;
• Flexibility - with full time, part time and term time working options;
• Fair pay and a commitment to a minimum Living Wage;
• MK Advantage benefits package – a range of savings including retail, travel and leisure discounts as well as a suite of salary sacrifice benefits.

To apply, please fill in our digital application form on the Milton Keynes Council Careers website https://goo.gl/A8PqJs .

Closing date for receipt of applications: 02 February 2018
Interview Date: 08 February 2018 (date and time to be confirmed)

We at Milton Keynes Council take great pride in our city and we hope that it’s you that can help us grow and share our vision.