Penderels Trust Hiring for Education Facilitator Job at Hartlepool, England , UK Full Time

About the Employer

Interested in working in social care? Please read on to see how you can make a difference

Young male 19 Years old. He has Autism, Sensory processing challenges and has recently developed Epilepsy. He is Non-Verbal which means he uses alternative forms of communication (more info on this, keep reading). He is a lot of fun to be around and he has the most beautiful smile. It’s easy to connect with him and develop a friendship. Despite his challenges, one of his long term goals is to be a children’s author and have his stories published. He has already written a few short stories and expressed his thoughts with poetry. His interests are being outdoors, walking, riding his bike, horse riding, listening to music and podcast, along with watching shows on Netflix. He enjoys listening to stories and participating in his educational lessons, but at times can find any of these activities overwhelming.

He has been homeschooled since he was five years old and his program has changed and evolved to suit his changing needs. It was originally set up to be a Son-Rise program (autismtreatmentcentre.org) and during this time we built a deeper connection with him. The program was based on connecting with him using his motivations which helped us to build a foundation for future interactions. The fundamentals of Son-Rise are based on a loving & non-judgemental attitude and it’s those attitudinal methods that we still use today. His home based program runs throughout the year and is not term time only. We use a variety of methods to support him such as Occupational therapy and sensory based activities, provided by an Occupational Therapist. Although he is non-verbal, his level of intelligence is good and he enjoys G.C.S.E lessons from a variety of subjects. By using a program called, ‘Rapid Prompting Method’ (www.halo-soma.org) we are able to offer him educational lessons which he is able to participate in and offer answers and insights into our questions. This technique involves him pointing to letters on a laminated letter board, spelling out his answers. It is extremely effective, although not quite as easy as it looks, but training will be provided! We also have weekly sessions with a Speech and Language Therapist (or we did until lock down). She has introduced a method of communication via an iPad Pro called GRID which is a communication device in which he is learning to point to the phrases he wishes to use to communicate in addition to spelling on a keyboard.

Throughout his daily sessions we use a combination of therapies and techniques to help him achieve his goals. Some are short term goals and others are long term goals.

Please note full training will be given to support you with this role.

Summary of Duties

• Building a connection with him and establishing a friendship, leading to sharing activities you enjoy together.
• Learning how to support him with his communication and be open to further training and feedback.
• Following Program Goals and supporting him to reach his full potential.

• Prior lesson planning and session preparation.

• Being able to be present during your time with him and make observations. To write up your evaluations of your session.
• To be able to stay calm and relaxed if things do not go as planned (sometimes they don’t and that’s ok).
• To accompany him with community activities such as Jump 360, trips to the beach, Saltholme, Summerhill, etc. These activities will usually be done with another staff member and will be at his pace.
• Encouraging him to take part in ‘Life Skills’, doing his share of the household chores. Not only does this help with encouraging independence, it also helps with Sensory Integration.

• Attend all training sessions, especially those provided by external providers.

• Complete a Progress Report each month on your evaluation of his progress and bring this with you to the monthly Group Meeting.

• Be willing to cover other team member’s annual holidays.

The Person They Are Looking For

This role will provide the opportunity to experience Autism and strategies you won’t find used in everyday settings, or in schools. It also offers chance to learn more about adapting to a positive way to live (if you are open to that). In addition to the qualities we are looking for in our next team member, that person MUST be honest, reliable, have some flexibility and unfailingly consistent.

First aid training will be provided by the Employer.

Due to the nature of the work for which you are applying, this post is subject to a satisfactory DBS disclosure (costs will be covered).

This advert may close before the stated date if sufficient applications are received.

Did you know? As frontline social care workers, all PAs aged 18 and above are eligible for the Covid-19 vaccination. Further discussions to be held with the employer upon appointment to the role.

The Times Required

Needs to be flexible.