ISL Specialist Classroom Support

at  NCSE

JOB DESCRIPTION

The primary education provider in a recognised classroom is the class teacher, who is qualified and registered with the Teaching Council and the NCSE provide a range of teaching and specialist supports to help ensure that students can access the curriculum and participate in school life and achieve good outcomes. In relation to students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (D/HH), additional teaching and care supports are provided depending on the level of need of each child. The Council is now seeking suitably qualified candidates to apply for the role of ISL - Specialist Classroom Support (SCS) in:

• Cork, on a permanent basis, and
• Mayo, on a temporary fixed term basis,

To consistently convey the spirit and content of the communication occurring in the classroom and enhance active engagement with learning and participation in school life for those students whose primary means of communication is ISL.

The role of Irish Sign Language Specialist Classroom Support (ISL-SCS) is to provide intensive in-class communication support for individual students who meet specific criteria, that is students who were born without an auditory nerve or due to infection, disease, trauma or failed technology intervention (Cochlear Implants), their auditory nerve has ceased to function completely and require this level of additional specialist support.

• The ISL - SCS will take the time to understand and process, the content, the context and the messages being delivered by the teacher thereby mediating the curriculum for the student whose communication is primarily through ISL.
• The ISL - SCS provides assistance to the NCSE in the delivery of relevant and effective support to school communities in the area of special education.
• The ISL - SCS will meet the communication needs of students attending a recognised mainstream school whose primary means of communication is ISL and who meet the required criteria.
• The ISL - SCS will work under the direction of the class teacher and collaborate with the class teacher and the special education Teacher (SET) in the development, delivery and review of student support plans, as necessary.
• The ISL - SCS will take the time to understand and process the content, the context and the messages being delivered by the teacher thereby mediating the curriculum for the student whose communication is primarily through ISL.
• The ISL - SCS acts for the NCSE and is obliged to perform their duties as per the NCSE and Department of Education regulations, procedures, policies and circulars.
• The ISL - SCS reports to a Team Manager.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must have, on or before July 19th 2024

• A relevant NFQ level 8 qualification or higher.
• Hold a qualification in ISL based on the Common European Language Framework or equivalent
• Achieved a high level of proficiency in Irish Sign Language and an appropriate level of proficiency in English/ Irish

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, facilitation and presentation skills in both online and in-person formats.
• Be able to communicate effortlessly with the student and be able to express the class content fluently and at the same time ensuring maintenance of a consistently high degree of accuracy in terms of the class content translation.
• Knowledge of the curriculum at primary/post-primary level and of new curricular developments.
• Experience of working with children who are Deaf/ Hard of Hearing and their families in a service or education environment
• Have familiarity, knowledge and understanding of the needs and culture of the Deaf/ Hard of Hearing community
• Capacity to adapt to dynamic and evolving situations.
• A strong work ethic.
• Excellent organisation and management skills.
• The ability to motivate and innovate.
• Proven capacity to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
• Excellent ICT skills and the capacity to manage and promote the effective adoption of ICT as a teaching, learning and assessment resource.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The ISL – Specialist Classroom Support will be required to:

• Consistently convey the spirit and content of the communication occurring in the classroom to the student, will mediate the curriculum for the student using ISL and enhance their active engagement and participation with learning and school life
• Become familiar with school curriculum and activities
• Collaborate with the class teacher in relation to sharing lesson content to enable the preparation of subject specific ISL
• Collaborate with members of the school community including other teachers and Special Needs Assistants to support individual student participation and involvement in school
• Support the individual student in the translation of the class proceedings and school activities into ISL
• Support the individual student with their access to and participation in all school and class activities
• Support the student in the acquisition of their own ISL proficiency
• Collaborate with the Special Education Teacher (SET) and class teacher in contributing to the review of student support plans
• Participate in NCSE meetings and team events
• Maintain up to date records.
• Collaborate with ISL Advisors and Sensory Leads on the promotion of ISL and the development of ISL resources
• Provide such data and reports as are required by the NCSE.
• Complete any other work as directed by the NCSE.

The responsibilities of the ISL – Specialist Classroom Support will vary in accordance with emerging needs and priorities so flexibility will be required from successful candidates.

The primary education provider in a recognised classroom is the class teacher, who is qualified and registered with the Teaching Council and the NCSE provide a range of teaching and specialist supports to help ensure that students can access the curriculum and participate in school life and achieve good outcomes. In relation to students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (D/HH), additional teaching and care supports are provided depending on the level of need of each child. The Council is now seeking suitably qualified candidates to apply for the role of ISL - Specialist Classroom Support (SCS) in:

• Cork, on a permanent basis, and
• Mayo, on a temporary fixed term basis

The role of Irish Sign Language Specialist Classroom Support (ISL-SCS) is to provide intensive in-class communication support for individual students who meet specific criteria, that is students who were born without an auditory nerve or due to infection, disease, trauma or failed technology intervention (Cochlear Implants), their auditory nerve has ceased to function completely and require this level of additional specialist support.

• The ISL - SCS will take the time to understand and process, the content, the context and the messages being delivered by the teacher thereby mediating the curriculum for the student whose communication is primarily through ISL.
• The ISL - SCS provides assistance to the NCSE in the delivery of relevant and effective support to school communities in the area of special education.
• The ISL - SCS will meet the communication needs of students attending a recognised mainstream school whose primary means of communication is ISL and who meet the required criteria.
• The ISL - SCS will work under the direction of the class teacher and collaborate with the class teacher and the special education Teacher (SET) in the development, delivery and review of student support plans, as necessary.
• The ISL - SCS will take the time to understand and process the content, the context and the messages being delivered by the teacher thereby mediating the curriculum for the student whose communication is primarily through ISL.
• The ISL - SCS acts for the NCSE and is obliged to perform their duties as per the NCSE and Department of Education regulations, procedures, policies and circulars.
• The ISL - SCS reports to a Team Manager