DSS- Learning Support Assistant

Summary of Position

We are seeking staff to provide specialist disability support to young people who require assistance whilst participating on the Skills for Life and Work, and/or Apprenticeships NI Programme.

This role also requires staff to undertake administrative duties to ensure their records of support are accurate, completed and returned timeously. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Core Duties  

• Provide direct one to one and group-based disability support to an agreed schedule of activities.
• Support the tutor by delivering the appropriate disability specialist learning support for the participant. 
• Assist the DSS Co-ordinator with the monitoring and evidencing of progress against Performance Targets set.
• Stimulate and promote effective, learner-centred independent learning strategies for the young person to enable them to participate and heighten their motivation and self-esteem.
• Maintain accurate and timely records that support effective ongoing monitoring and review of own support provided and raise any immediate issues or concerns with line manager.

Person Specification

(E = Essential, D = Desirable) 

Skills and Competencies   

Competencies
• Knowledge of directly supporting people with disabilities within an employment, education, or employment & training setting (D)
• The ability to work with a wide cross-section of participants with varying levels of support needs (D)
• Highly competent in using ICT with excellent working knowledge of MS Office Suite to include SharePoint, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint (E)

Technical competencies (qualifications and training)
• Educated to NVQ Level 2 or equivalent to include Maths and English. (E)
• Good IT skills – to present data using Microsoft packages or suitable alternative (E)

Experience
• Proven experience of working with young people across a wide cross-section of varying levels of needs, enabling them to identify their own goals and the ability to progress them (E)

Skills and Attributes
• Highly organised professional with evidence of developing relationships with participants (E)
• Ability to work flexibly to cope with the varying demands of the role and achieve desired results (E)
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team (E)
• Excellent time management and the ability to prioritise a workload (E)
• Ability to effectively report progress on KPI’s and progress participants through their qualifications within the timeframes set (E)
• Ability to manage a busy workload and prioritise to ensure all requirements are met (E)
• Ability to complete all paperwork, and reports timeously (E)
Personal qualities, communicating and relating to others
• Flexible, adaptable and innovative (D)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (E)
• Youth work Teaching / pastoral care approach to assisting young people to progress through their qualifications while maintaining professional boundaries (D)

Safeguarding
• Be able to display an awareness, understanding and commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children, young people and adults (E)
• This post requires an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (E)
Other
• Access to transport to carry out the duties of the post (D)

Employee Benefits

The successful post holder will avail of the following benefits:

• Holiday Arrangements: 20 working days per year plus 12 (pro rata).
• Pension: Employees are able to join the pension scheme under the new Auto Enrolment Government Scheme. 
• Enhanced Family Friendly Rights:  Maternity and paternity leave in accordance with current statutory requirements.
• CPD:  Opportunity to develop and enhance knowledge and skills through Continuous Professional Development.
• Sick Pay Arrangements: One week full pay and a further one week half pay.
• Birthday: Paid leave on day of birthday or on the following Monday if it falls at the weekend.