Teacher of the Visually Impaired (2 posts)

Vacancies have arisen for two full-time Teachers of the Visually Impaired within the Sensory Team, which is part of Schools and Families Specialist Services (SFSS). The Sensory Team comprises of Qualified Teachers of the Visually Impaired, Qualified Teachers of the Deaf, Specialist Teaching Assistants, an Habilitation Officer and a Sensory Technician.

The posts are open to qualified teachers, including those without the statutory qualification in teaching children and young people with a visual impairment. Successful candidates who do not hold the mandatory qualification for specialist teachers of children and young people with vision impairments, will however be required to attain it through the successful completion of an appropriately recognised course. Funding and release time to undertake the qualification will be provided by SFSS. Staff in training will be expected to carry a caseload (albeit reduced) during their training. Further details about the accredited courses and the providers of this training can be found at:

https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/distance/edu/vision-impairments.aspx

https://www.stvin.com/mqtvi

There is also an expectation that through the course teachers will obtain a knowledge of Braille at a level 2 standard.

Whilst a Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) at point 2(a) would be payable to successful candidates who already hold the mandatory qualification, this allowance would not be payable to staff until they have successfully completed the accredited training, which is scheduled to take 2 years.

Copies of the job description and person specification for these permanent posts are attached. A consultation is currently being undertaken about the future structure and ways of working within SFSS. These proposals do not significantly change the roles and responsibilities of the Sensory Team, therefore whilst some minor adjustments may be made to the Teacher of the Visual Impaired job description, no substantive changes are envisaged.  If you intend applying for one of these posts and you are already an employee of Nottinghamshire County Council, please ensure you have discussed your intention to apply with your line manager in advance.

The successful candidates may be required to work across the county and will work with families, individuals and schools to effectively support the inclusion of pupils with a visual impairment.

You will be expected to be very flexible and will need to be highly motivated and have a good understanding of the school curriculum at all phases. You should have a positive approach to inclusion and have a clear understanding of the strategies used to develop inclusive practice in schools and settings for pupils with a visual impairment.

Shortlisting will take place on the 2nd May 2019, with interviews for shortlisted applicants taking place on 9th May 2019 at the Home Brewery Building in Arnold.