Information and Job Description for Applicants
for the posts of
&
Assistant Co-ordinators (Two Posts)
for
Special Education Support Service.
The In-Career Development Unit of the Department of Education and Science is establishing a Special Education
Support Service to cater for the continuing professional development of personnel
working in the area of special education,
up to and including second level.
The Service will have the objectives of co-ordinating
Ř appropriate basic/induction training for personnel in special education
Ř delivery of additional training and support, as appropriate, to personnel in special education.
The current programme operates in two strands.
The first strand addresses, in particular, the in-depth professional development of personnel in the special educational needs area and involves the current major expansion of longer-term professional training programmes for teachers and special needs assistants and the introduction of a range of other training programmes to provide a mix of intensive induction training and more advanced training. These programmes are offered by a number of third level Institutions and, in some cases, in partnership with Education Centres.
The second strand comprises a range of locally based programmes and supports for personnel working in the area of special needs.
In this context, therefore, the role of the Special Education Support Service will include co-ordinating, planning, developing and delivery of significant support in relation to the teaching and management of children/students with special educational needs.
It is envisaged that the Support Service will also:
- manage and co-ordinate the delivery, nationwide, of continuing professional development courses in the areas of special education
- undertake a detailed examination and evaluation of current and emerging continuing professional development requirements
- develop and deliver a range of supports in response to the needs identified
- provide ongoing school-based support
- liaise, as appropriate, with relevant bodies
The development of the Service will be further informed by the initial work of the team and other developments. In-career programmes may be piloted on a phased basis and will be subject to available resources.
Laois Education Centre, in partnership with the In-Career Development Unit of the Department of Education & Science and in consultation with the other interested parties, will engage in the development of the Support Service. To this end Laois Education Centre seeks to recruit a National Co-ordinator and two Assistant Co-ordinators. These staff will be employed by the Laois Education Centre on a secondment basis.
The staff of the Support Service will be responsible for:
· consolidating, co-ordinating and managing as appropriate, current in-career development provision
· researching, evaluating and prioritising a range of continuing personal and professional development programmes for school personnel working with children with special educational needs in a variety of educational settings including mainstream primary and postprimary schools, special schools and special classes
· putting support teams in place, as appropriate and as deemed necessary in the light of on-going training needs and circumstances and subject to available resources
· planning, developing, managing, co-ordinating and monitoring the work of such support teams in the main areas of special education
· the preparation of resource materials as part of the support programme as required
· arranging for and co-ordinating, in co-operation with Education Centres, the provision of local and school-based support for personnel working with children with special educational needs, subject to available resources
· liaising, as appropriate, with relevant bodies
· carrying out such tasks as may arise from time to time.
The Assistant Co-ordinators will report to the National Co-ordinator who will report to a Management Committee which will be established.
All applicants must currently hold permanent teaching posts in a primary, postprimary or special school or be on secondment from such posts to be eligible for appointment.
The ideal candidates for the above positions likely to be called for interview should have most or all of the following:
· experience of teaching pupils with special educational needs
· appropriate academic qualifications in Special Education/Learning Support/Psychology/Management
· knowledge of resources/assistive technologies for special needs teaching
· an enterprising approach to tasks and the capability to undertake substantial, innovative and challenging projects
· good organisation, management and ICT skills
· excellent communication, presentation, interpersonal and leadership skills
· involvement in curriculum development and experience of designing and delivering inservice, e.g. working in a similar support service, managing projects and/or management in schools
· experience of working in a partnership environment
· awareness of the role of on-line training in Special Education
In addition to the above, applicants for the position of National Co-ordinator should demonstrate exceptional leadership skills, the abilities to promote a team approach and develop team capacity. The duties of National Co-ordinator will be wide ranging and will entail overall responsibility for the programme including:
Ř the preparation for submission to the Management Committee, in conjunction with the Director and administrative staff of the Education Centre, budgetary plans and the monitoring of the implementation of these plans
Ř the provision of such data as required by the Department of Education and Science, the Management Committee and Laois Education Centre.
Location.
Laois Education Centre will be the headquarters of the team members. The nature of the work will necessitate some travel. Successful candidates will need to provide their own transport for this purpose. Travel and subsistence will be paid in accordance with Civil Service regulations.
Selection Procedure.
Applications should be made on the attached application form.
Short-listing may apply and panels will be formed from which current and possible future vacancies may be filled. Successful applicants will be seconded from their posts on a contract basis.
Completed applications should be forwarded to The Director, Laois Education Centre, Block Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
Teachers must ensure before applying that in the event of their application being successful, their Principal/Board of Management /Employer will be in a position to release them. In this regard the relevant section of the application form must be completed.