Learning Resource Officer - REQ005866

Job title: Learning Resource Officer

Salary: C1 £28,598- £31,022 pro rata

Hours: 18.5 hours per week, term time

Contract: Permanent

Location: Tech North

There is an exciting opportunity to join the Visual Impairment team as our next Learning Resource Officer, who will have responsibility for sourcing, modifying and producing learning materials in a range of accessible formats for children with visual impairment. You will be joining a dedicated team of professionals delivering high quality support to Children and Young People in a range of settings across the city. The postholder will also provide technical support to staff and young people using specialist equipment and software. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with excellent ICT, organisational and team-working skills to further develop practice in this specialist area which involves the use of Braille, large print, audio, tactile diagrams and access technology.

NB: this is a job share post and the successful applicant will be required to work in close collaboration with the current job share partner.

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

As a Learning resource officer, you will bring to the role:

Good numeracy and literacy skills- GCSE Maths and English Language at grade C or equivalent.
Confident use of IT including competence in using Microsoft Word and it’s advanced features, Excel and PowerPoint and in using technology, such as Apple products to support accessibility.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Have high expectations of all CYP with a vision impairment, and a commitment to ensure they achieve their full potential.

About the role

You will need to be an enthusiastic, motivated professional with excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility, the ability to work independently and contribute to the wider team within the Service. Being well organised and as a peripatetic team being willing to travel is essential.

As our next Learning Resource Officer you’ll be building the team’s capacity in meeting the needs of learners with vision impairment. The Learning Resource Officer will also work in collaboration with the teaching team to deliver training and ongoing support in resource modification to school staff, so experience in training or presenting to adult audiences is desirable.

The role is integral to our team in supporting staff in settings to modify learning resources that support children and young people to access the curriculum and meet their potential.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

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

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role 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 will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. 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.

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 with sensory impairment in Leeds to achieve the best possible educational and other outcomes as identified in the Children and Young People’s Plan.

All staff are required to support the services main purpose of encouraging and enabling children to develop, behaviourally, educationally and emotionally. 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 other service areas and organisations to provide and maintain a safe secure and learning environment that promotes the safety and welfare of children in which they can prosper, develop and achieve. To foster, maintain and support pro-social behaviour, a restorative and solution focussed approach with, children, and colleagues.

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 collaborate with Teachers of the Visual Impairment to design and prepare specialist teaching materials.
To prepare, produce and develop curriculum materials and resources in a variety of formats e.g. Braille, tactile diagrams, large print, audio, as required by pupils in a range of settings- mainstream primary and secondary, post 16 and Specialist Inclusive Learning Centres.
To modify and re-format standard assessment materials e.g. SATS papers.
To maintain and administer the Visual Impairment Team’s resource library e.g. checking and ordering stock, organising equipment.
To develop training packages and deliver training in modification techniques to school staff, both within school and at city-wide training events.
To support school staff in the use of ICT to produce modified resources.
To provide advice in use of ICT to Sensory Service staff.
To provide information about accessible resources to schools.
To handle queries from schools, parents and outside agencies with regard to learning resources.
To source specialist resources from external suppliers and link with outside agencies in connection with this.
To produce accessible communication materials for a range of audiences, including schools, pupils and families e.g. newsletters, leaflets
To research and update own knowledge in developments in accessible resources and ICT, including participation in training and in regional groups.
To support others in using accessible resources and technology in a range of settings.
To attend relevant meetings as required.
To promote the influence of the voice of the child or young person
To take appropriate steps to promote and ensure the safeguarding of children while following agreed policies and practice
To participate in training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
To undertake other duties appropriate to the post as required by the City Lead Teacher of the VI
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.
To actively promote and support Leeds City Council's Policies on Equal Opportunities and to work in an anti-oppressive manner.

Qualifications

GCSE Maths and English Language at grade C or equivalent.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Skills required

Effective use of ICT including competence in using Microsoft Word
Good numeracy and literacy skills - GCSE Maths and English Language at grade C or equivalent
Excellent organisational skills
Accuracy and attention to detail
Ability to work to deadlines
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Experience required

Of liaison and collaboration with other professionals
Of working on own initiative.

Behavioural & Other Related Characteristics required

Have high expectations of all CYP with sensory impairment and a commitment to ensure they achieve their full potential
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 in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
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.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role. Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates. Progression through the grades will be linked to the appraisal process and subject to you performing your key tasks to a satisfactory level, and where appropriate successful completion of examinations.

Skills

Competence in using Microsoft packages such as Excel and PowerPoint.
Competence in using technology, such as Apple products to support accessibility.
Ability to self-evaluate learning needs and actively seek learning opportunities.
Competence in using more advanced features of Microsoft Word.

Knowledge

Working knowledge of uncontracted and contracted Braille.
General knowledge of national/foundation stage curriculum.
An awareness of how to reduce barriers to access in printed resources for learners with visual impairment.

Experience

Of presenting to, or training, adults
Of modifying or reformatting printed materials, including exam papers, for learners with visual impairment.
Of producing Braille materials including the use of ICT for this.

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