Senior Adviser - 2 posts (EA Employees Only)

Antrim-Ballymena-Ballee Centre, Antrim-Belfast-Belfast Office, Armagh-Armagh-Armagh Officesenior

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JOB DESCRIPTION

REPORTS TO: Head of Special Education - Statutory Assessment & Review Service

RESPONSIBLE FOR: The overall management responsibility for staffing teams linked to service delivery on statutory responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

The Statutory Assessment & Review Service (SARS) Senior Adviser will:

have overall responsibility for the leadership and management of strategic planning and quality assurance for SARS across the EA;
have overall management responsibility for a cohort of staff have responsibility for making statutory provision within a budget
be compliant with all aspects of statutory guidance as it applies to this area;
be required to ensure that all functions are exercised working in the best interests of children and their improved outcomes and report on same;
ensure the effective engagement of children and their parents/legal guardians in statutory processes;
ensure the effective engagement with strategic partners and all stakeholders;
develop a customer-facing approach to service delivery and effective quality assurance systems.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The post-holder will be expected to:

Strategic Planning and Policy Influence

lead the development and implementation of SEN Legislation, Regulations and statutory guidance including that yet to be commenced under the SEND Act 2016
contribute to the planning and development of regional provision based on the analysis of special educational needs across the region;• ensure that priorities are set for teams to meet projected and assessed need;
devise and implement effective systems to monitor, measure and report on the work of SARS based on agreed frameworks;
provide reports that can inform strategic direction using formative and summative information which will guide future models of SARS functions across the EA;
develop in line with DE policy, research and evidence regarding best practice;

Corporate Leadership and Management

advise the Head of SARS on all matters relating to the strategic planning, implementation, and on-going monitoring of statutory functions;
oversee and support the development of comprehensive and challenging service development plans, translating corporate and strategic objectives into realistic, achievable and time-bound targets;
establish, maintain, manage and review effective regional data systems to enable the robust analysis of performance and compliance with statutory timeframes;
establish appropriate monitoring and evaluation systems within the agreed outcomes framework for service delivery;
facilitate the induction of new staff and on-going professional development of all staff in relation to the core objectives, expected outputs and outcomes in relation to statutory functions;
prepare and deliver reports on behalf of the Authority as required;
ensure that officers within the service have an awareness of the corporate culture, values and processes which underpin organisational development;
delegate responsibilities and deploy staff in accordance with their skills and abilities, the needs of the Authority and specific priorities.
Business Planning, in line with CYPS and EA’s Corporate Plc;

Service Development and Quality Assurance

assist the EA in the development of policies and plans in line with overall strategic policy and objectives;
establish a clear regional framework for the delivery of SARS functions;;
ensure effective and rigorous quality assurance systems are in place to maintain high standards;
ensure effective engagement, capacity building and monitoring arrangements with schools;
participate in review processes to enable the development, review and compliance of all quality assurance policies and procedures;
ensure the structures and processes within SARS are optimal for effective planning and delivery of regional provision in line with assessed need;
foster and facilitate the development of staff skills in relation to collaborating with key stakeholders and other professionals;
liaise and work co-operatively with colleagues in other sections of the EA to ensure consistent and coherent approaches to statutory functions;
lead on planning and delivery of work to evidence improved outcomes at annual review;
manage staff to perform to their potential, promote their professional development and give support when required including appropriate support and supervision;
lead, guide and support the work of officers in contributing to the regional provision of statutory functions;;
provide advice, guidance, training and support to EA officers and other stakeholders to ensure awareness of statutory functions and outcomes.

Managing Financial Resources

to work in collaboration with the Head of SARS to ensure that robust corporate governance procedures and financial control frameworks are put in place for effective management of the budget for primary provision and monitor expenditure ensuring propriety, regularity and value for money within the allocated budget;
facilitate reporting protocols that are required by the EA;
consider the financial implications relating to effective models of service delivery and ensure systems and procedures are in place to evaluate the outcomes of resource allocation.

Partnership Working

co-ordinate the development of statutory functions by building on effective partnerships, in particular with the Health and Social Care Trusts;
develop links across the EA’s Directorates as necessary in relation to the co-ordination of work related to the delivery of Special Education;
ensure effective systems are in place for communication, advice and guidance and consultation with service users, both internally and externally;
liaise and work co-operatively with a wide range of bodies including the Department of Education, schools, Health and Social Care Trusts, other statutory and voluntary agencies on matters relating to Special Education;
contribute to attendance at meetings relating to Special Education, both internally and with other stakeholders, in accordance with corporate goals, service targets, multi-agency action plans and in line with the EA and DE requirements;

Other Duties

comply with the EA policies and procedures in relation to the duties and responsibilities of the post;
any such other duties that the EA may from time to time require.

This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.

To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post click here.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS

1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.

2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.

3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.

4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.

5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.

6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria.

Section 1 - Essential Criteria

The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor	Essential Criteria	Method of Assessment
Qualifications/ Experience	Hold a bachelor’s degree (UK Qualification and Credit Framework Level 6) or an equivalent or higher qualification and have a minimum of two years’ demonstrable experience of: (a) management* of staff (b) working in collaboration with a wide range of key stakeholders (c) delivering special education provision to meet assessed needs; OR Have a minimum of five years’ demonstrable experience of: (a) management* of staff (b) working in collaboration with a wide range of key stakeholders (c) delivering special education provision to meet assessed needs. *Management experience is defined as at Assistant Principal Officer level in an Education Authority with a salary within the range of £46,731- £49,764. Have demonstrable experience of using Management Information Systems.	Shortlisting by Application Form
Skills/ Abilities	Lead and develop collaborative processes in liaison with colleagues in Health & Social Care Trusts in line with the duty to cooperate.	Shortlisting by Application Form
Knowledge	Knowledge of the requirements of legislation and statutory guidance as it relates to pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN).	Shortlisting by Application Form
Other

Requirements

~2 min read

Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.

DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.

In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.

Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.

APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES

To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here.

To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.