Assistant Advisory Officer, Pupil Emotional Health & Wellbeing

Primary Location : Antrim-Belfast-Belfast Office

Other Locations : Down-Dundonald-Dundonald Office, Antrim-Antrim-Antrim Board Centre, Armagh-Armagh-Armagh Office, Antrim-Ballymena-Ballee Centre, Tyrone-Omagh-Omagh Office

Contract Type : Fixed-Term (May be subject to extension or reduced for any valid reason)

Duration of Contract/Contract End Date : 31 March 2027

Status : Full-Time

Hours per Week : 36 hours per week

Working Pattern : Monday to Friday

Grade/Scale : Assistant Advisory Officer | EIP Scale Pts 7 - 10/*13 | £51,357 - £55,857/*£60,269 per annum *Includes three points which may be awarded under the agreement relating to Structured Professional Assessments.

Additional Allowance(s) : Not Applicable

Anticipated Interview Date(s) : TBC

Additional Information : Base location to be agreed on appointment. Suitable applicants who are not appointed to an immediate vacancy will be placed on a reserve list which will remain valid for one year and may be offered appointments at the discretion of EA within any region of EA during that period.

REPORTS TO: Head of Service for Pupil Emotional Health and Wellbeing

RESPONSIBLE FOR

• Implementation of the Emotional Health and Wellbeing programme - ‘Being Well, Doing Well’ in schools
• EA Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) coordinator

JOB PURPOSE

The Education Authority’s (EA) aim is ‘to inspire, support and challenge all our young people to be the best that they can be’. Underpinning this aim, is a strategic objective to meet the learning needs of our children and young people. The EA recognises that children learn best when all their needs are met and we aim to achieve this through the breadth of services that are offered to children, young people, their families and schools. The EA also has a role to play in the promotion of emotional health and wellbeing and resilience programmes in schools. This is also linked to the draft Children and Young People’s Strategy 2017-2027).

Working as part of this team the Assistant Advisory Officer (AAO) will develop and implement relevant programmes including Being Well Doing Well- Whole School Approach to Emotional Health & Wellbeing, and strategies to support schools in the promotion of positive emotional health and wellbeing for children and young people.

The AAO will be required to work within a team to implement existing services and develop new programmes for schools which foster and support the emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Critical Incident and Emotional Health and Wellbeing

• Responsibility for the co-ordination and contribute to the delivery of Critical Incident responses for schools and youth settings mainly in a specific locality and in some instances in other localities as required;

• Contribute to the deployment of the multidisciplinary EA CIRT members when a critical incident occurs to ensure high quality support is provided to schools and youth settings;

• Provide immediate critical incident management advice, guidance and support for schools and youth services following a critical incident;

• Work with other services within the EA to ensure an appropriate and robust multi-disciplinary response is provided when a critical incident occurs;

• Co-ordinate and support staff to perform to their potential, promote their development, and ensure a framework of support through structured de-briefing;

• Actively participate in the monitoring and response to calls into the EA CIRT Helpline during office hours as required;

• Actively participate in the monitoring and response to calls into the EA CIRT Helpline out of hours on a rota basis. A financial allowance will be provided for out of hours work;

• Provide support and advice to schools in relation to developing Critical Incident management plans and positive emotional health and wellbeing programmes in line with DE guidance;

• Provide advice to schools in relation to bereavement and loss including the appropriate strategies for supporting pupils;

• Facilitate regional capacity building training in relation to bereavement/loss and critical incident management planning;

• Develop and facilitate presentations as appropriate to the areas of responsibility;

• Develop and deliver capacity building training for schools to promote positive emotional health and wellbeing programmes and strategies;

• Contribute to the EA CIRT staff development, training and continuous professional development opportunities;

• Promote the sharing and dissemination of models of good practice within the Pupil EHW team;

• Develop and deliver professional development training programmes for schools and youth service staff in partnership with other EA services;

• Contribute to the implementation of effective systems for communication and consultation with service users across the EA;

• Contribute to the multi-agency planning and community responses following a critical incident as appropriate.

Service Development and Quality Assurance

• Provide statistical data and reports to permit the completion of statistical returns to DE, Education Directorate, EA Corporate Leadership Team;
• Write reports and keep up to date records;
• Assist in the review and formulation of policies and procedures and make recommendations as to how the service may be improved or made more effective;
• Facilitate reporting protocols that are required by the Head of Service in compliance with EA and DE requirements;
• Ensure effective development and administration of data management systems to improve performance;
• Attend meetings as requested by the Head of Service;
• Contribute to the arrangements for monitoring, evaluating and reporting for the purpose of planning and data management;

• Produce and store all documents required in an electronic format;

• Design, create and update spreadsheets, databases and word documents to a high standard of presentation and accuracy

• Carry out the duties of any other staff member when they are absent or as directed by the Head of Service.

Leadership

• Assist the Head of Service with design, implementation and periodic evaluation of structures within the service to ensure that management structures and practices support a culture of effective team working, continuous improvement and innovation.
• As a member of the EA Critical Incident Response Team (EA CIRT) provide immediate critical incident management advice, guidance and support for schools and youth services following a critical incident;
• Actively participate in the monitoring/response to calls to the EA CIRT Helpline during as required;
• Apply resources effectively and proportionately across the service.
• Attend working groups and team meetings as required.

Policy and Procedure Development

• Contribute to the review, revision and development of existing and new policies and procedures as the need arises for the service.
• Contribute to human resources and the Authority’s corporate strategy and plans on matters relating to employee relations.

Other Responsibilities

• Ensure that the EA’s policy on Data Protection (in particular processing sensitive personal information) is properly complied with.
• Ensure that the EA’s Equal Opportunities Policy, relevant Codes of Employment and Practice and other relevant legislation are adhered to. 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.
• Undertake such other relevant duties as may be reasonably expected of the post-holder.
• Write reports and keep up to date records;
• Facilitate reporting protocols that are required by the Head of Service in compliance with EA and DE requirements;
• Attend meetings as requested by the Head of Service;
• Ensure effective administration of data management systems to improve performance.

Building Relationships and Working with Others

• Build and maintain effective, professional, and respectful stakeholder relationships.
• Develop and maintain clear lines of communication and effective working partnerships with relevant internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to the EA staff development, training and continuous professional development opportunities.
• Carry out the duties of any other staff member when they are absent or as directed by the Head of Service.

Professional Development and Learning

• Provide relevant professional development and learning to school staff when required e.g., introduction of new processes, new policies or the revision of existing policies;
• Contribute to the development and delivery of Emotional Health & Wellbeing initiatives and programmes;

• Promote the sharing and dissemination of models of good practice within the Pupil Emotional Health & Wellbeing Service.

Supervision of Staff

• Responsible for the supervision of staff

• Plan and allocate duties to staff and ensure that the tasks delegated are carried out efficiently

• Provide any training or induction required and contribute to the development of a positive team ethos.

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.

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 teaching qualification which meets the requirements for recognition to teach in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland;

OR

hold a Bachelor's Degree (UK Qualification and Credit Framework Level 6) or an equivalent or higher qualification in Youth Work, Social Work or Educational Psychology.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Experience

Have five years’ demonstrable experience working with children and young people in education related services.

Demonstrable experience of advising and supporting principals and/or senior managers in schools.

Demonstrable experience of developing and facilitating professional development and learning for principals and senior managers in schools.

Demonstrable experience of using Microsoft Office programmes (experience must include the creation of spreadsheets, databases and formulae use).

Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge

Knowledge of responding to critical incidents in an education related service.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion;

OR

be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Section 2 - Essential Criteria

The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model.

Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment

Knowledge

Knowledge of critical incident management in an education related service.

Knowledge of programmes and strategies to meet the emotional needs of children and young people according to their age and stage of development.

Interview

Skills/

Abilities

In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of:

Ability to organise a busy workload to deliver effective results on time

Ability to work calmly under pressure with flexibility to meet changing demands as required

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to give direction to and inspire confidence in teachers/schools and other stakeholders

Ability to use own initiative to make decisions and solve problems

Ability to take a responsible and customer focused approach to work

Ability to lead and work effectively with others as part of a team and motivate others.

Interview

Values Orientation

Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values.

Interview

Section 3 - Desirable Criteria

Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor Desirable Criteria Method of Assessment

Experience

Experience of managing people.

Experience of responding to a Critical Incident in a school or youth setting.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Our Values

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.