Specialist Teaching Assistant (or Communication Support Worker)

Job Introduction

Shaping the future of Education

Together, we’re the moment makers. 

About the role

Together, we’re shaping children’s education for the future. Every day, our colleagues are helping to transform the lives of the residents of Oxfordshire by providing children and young people with the best possible education.

We are seeking Teaching Assistants or Communication Support Workers with a calm, encouraging and positive manner to work with deaf children in the primary and secondary Deaf and Hearing Resource Bases, and with deaf and vision impaired young people in the SENSS Post-16 Sensory Support team based at City of Oxford College. All roles are in Oxford city. No previous knowledge of working with deaf or vision impairment children or young people is required. 

The role is varied and there are opportunities to support students with a variety of learning needs. 

There are good public transport links to City of Oxford College and parking may also be available.

The roles are permanent and term time only (39 weeks per year). 

About us

Together, we’re the moment makers and we’re focussed on making every day the best it can be for our residents. Whatever you do here, you’ll look around and say, “I make a difference”. Because we’re all creating lasting change to people’s lives in Oxfordshire.

Teaching Assistants and Communication Support Workers (TA/CSWs) are an essential part of the educational teams in the SEN Support Services (SENSS) in Oxfordshire working with children and young people who are deaf and have vision impairment in Oxfordshire educational settings. TA/CSWs work in the Deaf and Hearing Support Resource Bases at New Marston Primary School and The Cherwell School (secondary), and with post-16 students who have a sensory impairment (deafness, vision impairment or multi-sensory impairment) in the Colleges of Further Education in Oxfordshire with a Sensory Support Resource Base at City of Oxford College. Teams help give children and young people access to mainstream education in these settings; it is an important role!

*the terms deaf/deafness refer to all levels and types of hearing loss

Everyday you’ll be challenged in a new way, supported by your team, in an organisation that is free thinking, flexible, and helps people achieve their ambitions. We’re not afraid to do things differently and our dynamic culture means this is a place where new ideas are embraced, and innovation thrives.

We believe that together, our differences make us stronger, and that diversity is the foundation for innovation. Here, you can create a unique career for yourself – while raising the bar for the future of Education.

Are you in?

About you

You’re free-thinking and brave, and that sets you apart. You’ll be supportive and energised; you don’t accept the norm if it can be done better - finding answers through exploration and courage. Just as importantly, you will embody our values in everything you do:

• Always learning: You have a good level of basic education (e.g. Grade 4 or above in GCSE Maths and English or equivalent) or equivalent professional experience. Ideally, you will have experience of working with children and young people with SEN or disability, but training will be given. We are particularly interested if you have a qualification in communicating with deaf people (preferably Level 2 CACDP or above, or a level of fluency in BSL at a comparable stage) or if you have skills and experience of supporting blind or vision impaired learners. If you have an interest in learning sign language or braille skills, we have roles that offer opportunities to develop these skills.
• Be Kind and Care: You will have the ability to communicate sensitively and appropriately with children, young people, families, and colleagues. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be resilient, creative, adaptable, empathetic and compassionate.
• Equality and integrity in all you do: Working closely with specialist Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People (ToDs), Teachers of Vision Impairment (TVIs) in the Post-16 role, mainstream staff and other professionals to improve outcomes, your aim will be to enable access to the curriculum and to facilitate full inclusion for the children and young people you work with.
• Taking responsibility: You work positively as part of a team but also feel confident to work independently and take initiative when needed. 
• Daring to do it differently: You bring experience and creative ideas that will contribute to the work of our teams and make a difference for children and young people.

Fundamentally, you’ll be passionate about delivering stand-out public services, because we’re here to make every moment the best it can be for the residents of Oxfordshire.

No previous knowledge of working with deaf or vision impaired learners is required but would be an advantage. 

A passion for working with children and young people to make a difference and improve their access to learning is essential.

Rewards and benefits

 Culture of flexible working

• Term time only contract
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.

Does this sound like you? Curious to learn more? Contact our friendly team for a confidential and informative chat!

For an informal discussion about the roles, please contact Tonia Harris, Specialist Manager for SENSS on tonia.harris@oxfordshire.gov.uk or on 07584 909522

By arrangement, you are also most welcome visit the bases, meet our friendly and caring teams, and find out more about what we do.

Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk