About this role
Job summary Specialist Advisory Teacher - Cognition, Learning and Down Syndrome Team
Join Oxfordshire's SEND and Inclusion Support Services (SENDISS) and play a key role in supporting children and young people with cognition and learning needs and/or Down Syndrome across Oxfordshire.
As a Specialist Advisory Teacher, you will work directly with children, families, schools and professional partners to identify strengths, understand barriers to learning and develop effective strategies that promote inclusion, participation and achievement. You will hold a specialist caseload, carrying out assessments, providing advice and guidance, and supporting schools to create environments where children and young people can flourish.
A key part of the role involves empowering others through coaching, training and modelling effective practice. You will work closely with school staff and SENDCOs, helping to build confidence and capability within mainstream settings while translating specialist knowledge into practical solutions that improve outcomes for children and young people.
You will contribute to statutory processes, prepare high-quality reports and work collaboratively with a range of multi-agency partners to ensure families receive coordinated and effective support. This is a varied and rewarding role offering opportunities to influence inclusive practice across schools while making a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people with SEND.
We are seeking a qualified teacher with QTS and experience supporting children and young people with cognition and learning needs and/or Down Syndrome. Strong communication, assessment and relationship-building skills are essential.
Main duties of the job As a Specialist Advisory Teacher within the Cognition, Learning and Down Syndrome Team, you will provide specialist assessment, advice, teaching and training to support children and young people with SEND. Working closely with schools, families and professionals, you will help develop inclusive practice, remove barriers to learning and enable children and young people to participate, achieve and thrive.
About us Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and Oxfordshire County Council are working together to improve support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) through the innovative Experts at Hand programme. By bringing together education, health and care professionals, the programme aims to provide earlier intervention, strengthen inclusion within schools and ensure children receive the right support at the right time.
The Cognition, Learning and Down Syndrome Team, part of SEND and Inclusion Support Services (SENDISS), works across Oxfordshire to help remove barriers to learning and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Through specialist advice, assessment, teaching and collaborative working, the team supports schools, families and professionals to create inclusive environments where children can thrive, participate and achieve their potential.
Job description Job responsibilities
About Us
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and Oxfordshire County Council are transforming support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We are building a team of health and education professionals (Experts at Hand) to provide earlier intervention and stronger inclusion in schools settings, providing practical support where it is needed, and helping children and young people receive the right support, at the right time. By sharing your expertise and working collaboratively with colleagues across organisations, you'll play a key role in improving outcomes for children, families, and schools across Oxfordshire.
As part of our Experts at Hand programme, you'll join a growing community of specialists dedicated to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Working across education, health and care, we are creating more connected, responsive services that help children and young people access support earlier, whilst building confidence, skills and inclusive practice within schools and settings.
The Cognition, Learning and Down Syndrome team is part of the SEND and Inclusion Support Services (SENDISS) and works alongside mainstream schools and settings to help remove barriers to learning, strengthen inclusion and support children and young people to participate, achieve and develop confidence and independence.
About the Role
As a Specialist Advisory Teacher in the Cognition, Learning and Down Syndrome team in SENDISS, you will be a valued member of a specialist team supporting children and young people with cognition and learning needs and/or Down Syndrome across mainstream schools, educational settings and the wider community. Through specialist assessment, advice, teaching and training, you will help children and young people access learning, develop independence and achieve their potential.
This is a varied and highly rewarding role where you'll work directly with children and young people, families, schools and professional partners to identify strengths, understand barriers and develop effective approaches that support learning and inclusion. You will hold a caseload of children and young people, providing specialist advice and guidance that helps schools and settings create environments where children can participate fully and succeed.
A key part of the role involves empowering others. You will work closely with school staff, SENDCOs and families, helping to build confidence and capability through coaching, modelling and training. By translating specialist knowledge into practical strategies, you will help schools develop inclusive approaches that support children and young people both academically and socially.
You will contribute to statutory processes, produce high-quality written reports and work collaboratively with a range of multi-agency partners to ensure children and families receive joined-up support. Through your expertise, you will help children and young people develop independence, decision-making skills and self-advocacy, enabling them to become active participants in their own learning and development.
No two days will be the same. One day you may be carrying out specialist assessments and working directly with a child, while the next could involve delivering training, supporting school staff, contributing to multi-agency planning or helping families navigate support pathways. Throughout everything you do, you will be helping children and young people overcome barriers and access the opportunities they deserve.
This permanent role will include regular travel to schools, settings and community locations across Oxfordshire. An enhanced DBS check, including a check of the Children's Barred List, is required.
About you
You are passionate about inclusion and believe every child and young person deserves the opportunity to thrive. You understand that the right advice, support and intervention can have a lasting impact on a child's confidence, wellbeing and educational outcomes.
You will be a qualified teacher with QTS and have relevant experience of supporting children and young people with cognition and learning needs and/or Down Syndrome. You will have strong assessment and teaching skills, alongside a sound understanding of effective inclusive practice and strategies that improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
Strong relationships are central to this role, so you'll be an excellent communicator who can build trust with children, young people, families, school staff and professional partners. You'll be confident working collaboratively, listening carefully to different perspectives and ensuring that the views of children, young people and their families remain at the heart of decision-making.
You will be organised, adaptable and able to manage a varied caseload across multiple settings. You'll feel comfortable working independently, prioritising competing demands and travelling across Oxfordshire to provide support where it is needed. Most importantly, you'll bring creativity, resilience and professional curiosity, using your expertise to help schools and settings find practical solutions that remove barriers and promote inclusion.
You will share our commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND and be motivated by making a tangible difference to their lives, their opportunities and their futures. Through effective teaching, specialist advice and collaborative working, you'll help ensure children and young people are understood, supported and able to flourish.
If you're ready to join our community of Experts at Hand and help shape brighter futures for children and young people across Oxfordshire, we'd love to hear from you.
To request an informal conversation about this role, please contact Vicki Davison, Lead Teacher for the SENDISS Cognition, Learning and Down Syndrome team, at [email protected]
Rewards and benefits
The role is offered on School Teachers Pay and Conditions.
Ourcommitment to:Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Our commitment to:Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Our commitment to:Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Our commitment to:Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
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Person Specification
General Requirements Essential
Please refer to job description above
Desirable
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Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Oxfordshire County Council
Address
Ron Groves House, Kidlington, OX5 2BP
OX5 2BP
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)