Special Education Needs Coordinator

This initiative enables multi-disciplinary interventions for children from birth to 18 years and adults 18 to 25 years who present with developmental and learning difficulties. The incumbent must provide children with difficulties in development and learning with timeous, appropriate and continuous support, providing structured and appropriate interventions to children experiencing the aforementioned difficulties

**Critical performance areas**
- COORDINATION OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS INITIATIVE
- ONSITE AND MONTHLY TRAINING
- MONITORING AND EVALUATION
- ADMINISTRATION

**COORDINATION OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS INITIATIVE**
- Coordinate the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Initiatives for all the children in the Early Care and Education Programme, the School Enrichment Programme, and the Youth Development Programme.
- Coordinate the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Initiatives to facilitate multi-disciplinary interventions for learners with learning difficulties.
- Conduct parent or primary caregiver induction interviews at induction.
- Examine and prioritise referrals related to development and learning.
- Conduct assessments and develop treatment plans for children, monitor treatment and adapt accordingly.
- Provide intervention to address children experiencing difficulty in development and learning.
- Plan and execute developmental support in various regions.
- Plan with the Mobile Resource Centre Coordinator regarding special educational needs cases and the use of resources to provide intervention in the classroom or at home.
- Participate in multi-disciplinary case conferences when required.
- Train parents or primary caregivers on therapeutic strategies to be implemented at home to support the development or learning of their child.
- Train and guide internal and external staff on appropriate inclusive educational methods.
- Identify and employ external support services (when required) and follow up on placements (school-related)
- Ensure all Programme Managers know the SEN learners and ensure the successful handover between programmes.
- Hand over cases to the YDP (where applicable) for work placements and ensure a care path is in place.
- Assist learners with disabilities find suitable work placements
- Discharge cases that no longer require support.
- Arrange specific interventions for SEN cases with the Mobile Resource and Early Learning Centre.
- Employ external support services to provide specialised intervention treatments as needed.

**ONSITE AND MONTHLY TRAINING**
- Present a range of SEN topics at the monthly training when requested by the ECEP and SEP managers.
- Develop training material and train the internal/external staff on special educational needs.
- Develop intervention strategies and provide one-on-one training with the educators and facilitators when required.

**MONITORING AND EVALUATION**
- Assist with the development and implementation of effective monitoring and evaluation.
- Report any problems with the ECEP and SEP facilitators to the ECEP and SEP Educators.
- Report any programme-related challenges to the ECEP, SEP and YDP Programme managers.
- Maintain case records and ensure data is timeously captured on the management systems.

**ADMINISTRATION**
- Provide input for the Pebbles Project newsletters relating to activities as required.
- Complete all other reports as requested by the SEN Manager.
- Contribute to monthly farm reports.
- Assist with any additional duties, as requested by the SEN Manager or Senior Management.
- Assist volunteers placed in the facilities to support children with learning barriers by providing training for these volunteers.
- Complete report writing regarding special needs children and their achievements and progress, to be submitted to the SEN Manager and Area Manager every month.
- Contribute to trustees' and donor reports as requested.
- Complete and report on the agreed targets for the SEN initiative regarding time, quantity and quality of services.
- Ensure that all responsibilities and instructions are understood and clear up misunderstandings before the task commences.
- Co-operate and assist colleagues in their duties where necessary and possible.
- Always be willing to follow a reasonable instruction as a contribution to the productivity of Pebbles Project.

**REQUIREMENTS**:

- Speech-Language Therapy / Remedial Teaching qualification
- Computer literate
- Experience in a similar role
- Minimum of 3 years experience
- Valid driver’s license and own a reliable vehicle
- Good written and spoken English and Afrikaans
- Willing to travel to Hermanus, Grabouw and Citrusdal

Applications close the 25th November 2024