Job title: Teacher of the Visually Impaired with additional responsibility for Multiple Disability with Visual Impairment (MDVI)
Salary: MPS/UPS + SEN2 +TLR2a (£23,719- £39,406)
Hours: 32.5 per week, Teachers pay and Conditions
Contract: Permanent
Location: Tech North
Leeds City Council’s Sensory Service Visual Impairment Team is looking to appoint a qualified and experienced teacher of the visually impaired with additional responsibility for children with multiple disability and visual impairment (MDVI)
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 which 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 and additional/complex needs, advising professional colleagues and delivering training for staff in settings across the city. They will also manage a small caseload of pre-school children with visual impairment.
The successful candidate will hold the Mandatory Qualification for Teachers of the Visually Impaired and have experience of working with CYP with additional/complex needs..
This is a peripatetic role and the ability to travel to different settings around the authority is essential.
This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
For further information or an informal discussion, please contact Ellen Maher, City Lead Teacher of the Visually Impaired Tel. 07891 270446, email ellen.maher@leeds.gov.uk
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, 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, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job purpose To enable children in Leeds with MDVI (and MSI if appropriate) to achieve the best possible educational and other outcomes as identified in the Children and Young People’s Plan.
Responsibilities
- The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
- To work as a peripatetic specialist teacher to:
- 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
- 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, taking responsibility as appropriate
- Promote and monitor the social and emotional welfare of children
- Enable and promote a cohesive multi disciplinary and multi agency approach to meeting children’s needs.
- Promote and monitor the outcomes for children as laid out in the CYPP
- 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
- Participate in training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
- Undertake other duties appropriate to the post as required by the City Lead Teacher of the VI.
- Comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council policies, procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
- Actively promote and support Leeds City Council's Policies on Equal Opportunities and to work in an anti-oppressive manner.
The post holder will also take a city-wide lead in MDVI (and Multi-Sensory Impairment if appropriate).
This will involve:
- Developing good practice, policies and protocols in the service in relation to the designated fields
- Providing advice and updates to Service Staff and others regarding developments and good practice in their designated field (whether related to mainstream curriculum initiatives or specialist good practice).
- Taking a lead in the development of training to settings across the city in relation to the designated fields
- Developing strategies for ensuring the influence of the voice of the child
Qualifications Applicants must hold the Mandatory Qualification for Teachers of Children with Visual Impairment and should have experience of working with CYP with MDVI.
Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.
Skills required
- Qualified teacher status
- Mandatory qualification for Teacher of VI
- Excellent teaching skills in planning, delivery, assessment and monitoring of children with additional needs
- Ability to deliver training and advice effectively
- Ability to work effectively in partnership with parents/carers to improve outcomes for children and young people
Knowledge required
- Up to date knowledge of research and best practice in MDVI education, specifically in educational inclusion and raising achievement
- Up to date knowledge of procedures for assessing, advising, teaching and monitoring the progress and needs of children with MDVI
- Up to date knowledge of legislation, policy and practice relating to education and particularly special educational needs
- Up to date knowledge of pedagogy and practice in relation to teaching, learning and assessment strategies for children
Experience required
- Of working as a Teacher of children with MDVI
- Of working effectively with other agencies to ensure positive outcomes for children with multiple disabilities
- Of monitoring, analysing and evaluating outcomes for children and service impact
- Of providing advice and support to colleagues
- Of seeking and listening to the voice of children and families in shaping service delivery
Behavioural & Other Related Characteristics required
- To have high expectations of CYP with MDVI
- Committed to working in partnership with all relevant agencies, children and young people and their families
- Committed to the full inclusion of children with SEN in educational settings
- Committed to continuous improvement.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development.
Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
- Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
Role specific desirable requirements
Skills required
- Qualification as a teacher of Multi-Sensory Impairment (MSI)
Knowledge required
- Knowledge of appropriate strategies for use with children with MSI
Experience required
- Experience of working in a peripatetic advisory role
- Experience of working with children and young people with MSI
Behavioural & Other Related Characteristics required
- Willingness to undertake training and/or additional qualification in working with children with MSI
