Behaviour Mentor (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) for students with ASC (Autism Spectrum Condition) in Brookways School
Reporting to: SLT
Objectives of post
• To be a lead Mentor/HLTA working with children and staff so that students make expected or better progress academically, socially and emotionally.
• To work with SLT on whole school activities and initiatives to improve student behaviour
• To promote the interests and ensure the safety and well-being of students in accordance with good practice and the policies and procedures of the school
• To manage delegated tasks at Brookways, as defined by senior staff.
• To represent Kedleston and the school positively at all times by reflecting its mission statement, core philosophy and ethos and by reflecting good educational practice.
Summary of Post
All Brookways School all staff have responsibility for the education provision as well as the provision of excellent pastoral care and positive behaviour management strategies, including the use of restorative approaches. The Behaviour Mentor will support in some lessons, focusing on the children who are finding self-regulation and/or empathy the most difficult. The Behaviour Mentor will also be available to support staff with particularly challenging situations. The Behaviour Mentor will play a leading role in training and developing the TA team.
The Behaviour Mentor will develop positive relationships and work with parents to increase their involvement with their child’s education
All staff are expected to look at students holistically and draw on a wide range of social care and teaching strategies to meet student needs. Brookways Safeguarding and Child Protection must be adhered to at all times
Professional duties/tasks in achieving objectives
• To support, encourage and motivate students working on learning tasks and activities, in accordance with the aims of the lesson and the Individual Education and Behaviour Plans.
• To play a lead role in the development of the TA team so that the most effective strategies are used to help children behave appropriately for lessons, learning, trips, social time and life.
• To play a lead role in the delivery of programmes and/or strategies as advised by the therapeutic team (eg Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy).
• To assist in the identification of short-term achievable goals and targets within the context of the Education and Health Care Plans (EHCPs) and Individual Education and Behaviour Plans (IEBPs) and to ensure these are reflected in lesson plans and learning activities for all students
• To work with the TAs and teachers on establishing and maintaining the rewards system in line with the school Behaviour Policy which promotes strategies to encourage achievement and the development of self-esteem.
• To ensure the Sleuth behaviour records on students have been completed at the end of each day.
• To contribute to keeping up to date records of students’ social and emotional progress using the school systems
• To contribute to the monitoring of the behavior and social skills records
• To support the formal review process by contributing to reports such as the Education and Health Care Plan conversion or review.
• To contribute to the tidiness and cleanliness of the school environment in general
• To provide cover as required
• To accompany students to external activities or on educational visits
• Finance - to be responsible, where required, for the management of expenditure on educational activities and to maintain accurate accounts, including receipts.
General Expectations
• To show reliability and commitment to work being punctual, attending well and meeting deadlines
• To be a positive role model at all times, including following the school dress code
• To ensure that every student is helped to understand the School Safeguarding Procedures and their right to remain free from harm.
• To maintain good personal and professional boundaries and conduct, appropriate to the student group and their families, to Kedleston and Brookways work colleagues and management and to all external agencies including referring authorities.
• To respect and maintain the confidentiality of students and others, both verbally and in written form and to work in line with the guidance and procedures of the Data Protection Act 1998.
• To promote the safety and well-being of the students at all times and to ensure that any Safeguarding/Child Protection/Family Protection concerns are communicated appropriately and swiftly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (or, in their absence, other senior staff) so that all necessary measures may be taken to safeguard and support those concerned.
• To maintain awareness of and commitment to the Health and Safety needs of all those with whom Teaching Assistants have contact in their work, including first and foremost the students in their care, and to read and sign all related Health and Safety information provided by the school
• To maintain a commitment to working with diversity and to undertake all work practice in an anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory way.
Person Spec:
Essential
• Knowledge and experience of working with children with ASC
• Qualifications associated with behavior that challenges
• Understanding of and commitment to restorative approaches
Desirable
• Experience of leading/managing others
• Experience of working in schools