Senior School Improvement Officer for Special Needs (SSIO SEND)

Invites applicants for the following post:

Senior School Improvement Officer for Special Needs (SSIO SEND)

Salary: CI$93,192 – $122,268 per annum

The post holder will provide strategic advice, challenge and support school improvement to raise standards of progress and attainment across all government schools, including:

• Provide with the Deputy Director strategic leadership to Lighthouse School (LHS), Early Intervention Programme, School Inclusion and Support Services to deliver the priorities in the Ministry of Education Strategic Plan.
• Provide LHS and Student Support Services with the required support and challenge to support achievement and attainment of students across all age groups and narrow the achievement gap of SEND and vulnerable students.
• Take part in and lead school supportive reviews annually. Provide advice and guidance to LHS and other schools in relation to OES Inspections.
• Working collaboratively with principals, teachers, and other education professionals to contribute to the identification and development of national priorities and strategies for the provision of support services and school improvement.
• Strategically partner with the Senior Policy Advisor for Inclusion, SSIOs and the Principals to ensure that their School Based Support Teams are able to provide effective services and interventions to all students who have Additional Learnings Needs & Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in line with the National Code of Practice for Additional Learning Needs & SEND.
• Manage the team leads for Behaviour Services, Allied Health, Counselors, Educational Psychologists, and Specialist teachers and support the deployment of Student Services across the education system.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills:

• Relevant Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university required
• Professional teaching qualification from a recognized institution/authority required
• Master’s Degree in Public Policy, or MA or MSc in Education Management with a focus on SEND or equivalent qualification required
• A National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL) or equivalent required
• ILM 3 Leadership and Management preferred or undertaken within 18 months of being appointed
• At least ten (10) years successful teaching experience, to include seven (7) in education leadership positions including three (3) to five (5) years as a Principal with specific experience in SEND in primary or secondary education. However, the post holder must have a strong understanding of issues and practice at both levels
• A minimum of three (3) to five (5) years’ experience at senior levels within a Ministry, Education Department or District, performing relevant functions, such as supporting school improvement, driving education reform, education planning and policy development in SEND, and programme management
• Strong and successful experience working within a multi-cultural environment and in contexts with students with a wide range of abilities is required
• Excellent analytical and research skills, with the ability to collect and analyze complex material and data, and present it in accessible forms
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to produce clear, focused and comprehensible documents for various audiences and purposes with the ability to persuade, influence and motivate others
• Excellent strategic planning and project management skills, including the ability to manage and deliver on schedule several projects at once
• Effective mentoring and coaching skills and the ability to foster cooperative working and learning relationships with various stakeholders to meet shared objectives
• The ability to work cooperatively in teams, with different kinds of people, contributing to team decisions and maintaining team relationships by supporting others.

The remuneration package for the successful candidate is offered without deductions. The Cayman Islands Government provides an additional 12% pension contribution and 100% health insurance coverage for the employee and their dependents.

To apply and view the detailed Job Description, please visit us at www.careers.gov.ky.

Application Deadline: 11:59pm Friday 26th April 2024