Swyddi ar lein
Senior Communication and Interaction Specialist Teacher - Pencadlys
See Job Advertisement | Temporary (secondment)
- Reference:
- 26-33202
- Job title:
- Senior Communication and Interaction Specialist Teacher - Pencadlys
- Directorate:
- Education
- Service:
- Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion
- Closing date:
- 15/10/2026 12:00
- Job type/Hours:
- Temporary (secondment) two years | 32.5 Hour
- Salary:
- See Job Advertisement
- Term time job:
- 39 Weeks
- Location(s):
- See Job Advertisement
Details
Job Advertisement
*PLEASE NOTE*
Cyngor Gwynedd is committed to being an inclusive employer, and to enhancing the diversity of the workforce.
Your application form will be assessed anonymously. Your title, name and email address will not be shared with the appointing panel for the purpose of shortlisting. You should carefully consider this when completing the further information section of the application form.
EDUCATION
ALN&I SERVICE
Communication and Interaction Team Leader (Two-Year Secondment)
Position Type/Hours: Temporary (Two-Year Secondment)
Salary: Paid in accordance with the Teachers’ Pay Scale (£33,731 - £51,942), depending on experience and qualifications, plus ALN2 and SEN2
An opportunity is available for a suitably qualified and experienced individual to undertake the leadership role of Communication and Interaction Team Leader within the Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion (ALN&I) Service.
The post-holder will be responsible for providing operational and professional leadership to the Communication and Interaction Team, ensuring effective, consistent, and high-quality provision for children and young people with Communication and Interaction needs across primary and secondary schools, as well as specialist centres.
The role includes coordinating the provision of the Communication and Interaction Centres and acting as line manager to the Specialist Teachers and Specialist Assistants within the team by monitoring and quality-assuring provision. The successful candidate will work closely with the ALN Team Manager, the Senior Educational Psychologist, ALN&I Quality Officers, and other key stakeholders to ensure a coordinated service that meets the needs of learners.
Applicants are expected to hold further qualifications in ALN&I-related fields, have significant experience of working within the field of Additional Learning Needs, and possess a strong understanding of communication, interaction, and neurodiversity needs. An understanding of the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 is essential for the role. Experience of leading staff, managing change, and multi-agency collaboration is also essential.
The post requires an individual with excellent leadership, communication, and organisational skills, together with a strong commitment to promoting inclusion and improving outcomes for children and young people.
Anyone interested and/or requiring further information is invited to discuss the post informally with Delyth Gibbard, ALN Team Manager via email: delythgibbard@gwynedd.cymru.llyw. Any applicant wishing to apply for the post should discuss the secondment arrangement with their Headteacher before submitting an application.
Applications should be submitted online.
We encourage all applicants for posts with the Council to submit applications in Welsh or bilingually. (Applications submitted solely in Welsh or solely in English will be treated equally; however, applicants are asked to consider carefully the language requirements of both the role and the organisation, and whether submitting an application in Welsh only would be more appropriate.)
The Council will require a disclosure check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and confirmation of registration with the Education Workforce Council (EWC) for the successful applicant before they can commence work at the school.
Interviews for the post are expected to take place on Friday, 23 October 2026. For the interview, candidates will be asked to prepare a 10-minute presentation on the title: “Priorities for supporting neurodiverse pupils in mainstream schools.”
Candidates are asked to send their presentation to Delyth Gibbard at delythgibbard@gwynedd.llyw.cymru by the end of the day on 22 October 2026.
CLOSING DATE: 12 noon, Friday, 15 October 2026.
Person Specification
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
ESSENTIAL
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Ability to resolve conflict
Negotiation skills
Sensitivity when dealing with complex cases
Ability to analyse data
Ability to work collaboratively
Team leadership skills
Ability to set targets and monitor progress
Enthusiasm
Ability to think creatively and generate new ideas
Full driving licence and access to transport
DESIRABLE
Advanced IT/computer skills
QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT TRAINING
ESSENTIAL
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
Postgraduate qualification and/or professional qualification relevant to the field
DESIRABLE
Any training related to Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and/or Person-Centred Approaches
Training and/or qualifications related to change management
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL
Experience of:
Monitoring the quality of teaching and learning for neurodivergent pupils and/or pupils with Additional Learning Needs (ALN)
A broad understanding of ALN systems and the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018
Producing effective Development Plans
Delivering training
Awareness of educational and behavioural assessment approaches
Reporting on pupil progress and the effectiveness of the provision offered
Leading others, including holding strategic responsibilities
Organising staff and creating provision maps
Collating data and responding effectively to findings
Working collaboratively within a multi-agency environment
DESIRABLE
Experience of:
Being an effective Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNCo)
Implementing Person-Centred Approaches
Producing Individual Development Plans (IDPs)
Presenting information to others
Managing budgets
SKILLS AND SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE
ESSENTIAL
Awareness of ALN provision across Gwynedd and Anglesey
Understanding of ALN legislation and the ALN Code
Understanding of Person-Centred Approaches
Understanding of Individual Development Plans (IDPs)
Understanding of learners' needs, particularly those of neurodivergent learners
Ability to produce reports
Ability to report to ALN Monitoring Boards
Ability to plan and model appropriate strategies and interventions to support children with ALN
Knowledge and understanding of the various pathways a child may follow throughout their educational journey
Thorough knowledge and understanding of what constitutes excellent provision for neurodivergent learners
Understanding of child protection procedures
DESIRABLE
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LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
ESSENTIAL
Listening and Speaking
Ability to confidently undertake all aspects of the role orally through the medium of both Welsh and English to an equally high standard.
Reading and Comprehension
Ability to accurately use and interpret information from a variety of sources through the medium of both Welsh and English in order to fulfil all aspects of the role.
Writing
Ability to present information in writing through the medium of both Welsh and English with complete confidence, using the most appropriate method and language for the subject matter and audience.
Job Description
Purpose of the Post.
• Ensure that the people of Gwynedd are at the heart of everything we do.
• Act as a Senior Teacher for the designated team.
• Ensure that the children and young people of Gwynedd are at the centre of everything we do.
• Ensure a high-quality specialist service for schools to support pupils with Communication and Interaction difficulties.
• Work collaboratively with the ALN Teams Manager to ensure robust management of specialist centres supporting pupils with Communication and Interaction difficulties.
• Ensure effective delivery within the field of Communication and Interaction through the use of evidence-based procedures and processes.
• Work collaboratively with the other Team Leaders within the Service to ensure a seamless service.
• This will be achieved through:
o Coordinating the work of the Centres.
o Monitoring the quality of provision within the Communication and Interaction Team.
o Line managing the team of Specialist Teachers and Specialist Assistants within the Team.
o Working closely with Area ALN&I Quality Officers.
o Working with the Senior Educational Psychologist to develop the team's training strategy.
o Ensuring the professional development of staff within the provision at all levels.
o Supporting schools through training and ready-made resources.
• Operating in accordance with robust safeguarding guidance.
Responsibility for functions. e.g. staff, budgets, equipment
• Coordinate the resources and day-to-day operation of the Communication and Interaction Centres.
• Line manage the team of Specialist Teachers and Specialist Assistants within the Team.
• Deliver training and develop resources for schools, centres and parents.
• Take responsibility for ensuring the availability of training and support resources for schools, Centres and parents through the Resource Library.
• Ensure the availability of resources for use by children and staff within the specialist centres.
• Laptop computer and mobile phone.
Main Duties
This job description is to be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document and within the range of teachers’ duties as specified in that document, insofar as they are relevant to the job title and salary scale of the post holder. The post is also subject to the Conditions of Service for School Teachers in Wales and England (the Burgundy Book) and to any relevant conditions agreed locally.
• Be responsible for the performance management and professional development of staff within the Communication and Interaction Team.
• Spend time in classrooms observing, modelling and monitoring practice.
• Work jointly with the ALN Teams Manager to coordinate the work of the Centres.
• Coordinate information from Specialist Communication and Interaction Teachers in preparation for the Area ALN&I Forum.
• Ensure a support and advisory service for schools and other educational establishments through the provision of high-quality guidance and support.
• Contribute to the strategic plans of individual schools in the field of Communication and Interaction, and ALN more generally.
• Deliver professional support through the implementation of learning strategies and activities for pupils with Additional Learning Needs, particularly those with communication and interaction difficulties, at school level and within specialist Centres.
• Contribute to monitoring pupil progress through assessment, recording and reporting on achievements.
• Work strategically with schools to develop communication-friendly environments within schools.
• Contribute to discussions and decision-making within the Area ALN&I Forum.
• Take responsibility for managing workload and prioritising cases.
• Implement and adapt specific work packages to ensure the availability of specialist resources for schools, Centres and parents in the area of Communication and Interaction needs.
• Jointly develop specialist training programmes to help schools, Centres and parents gain a better understanding of language, communication, interaction and neurodiversity needs.
• Monitor and quality assure the work of the Team, working collaboratively with the Senior Educational Psychologist to report on the quality and effectiveness of the Team.
• Consult regularly with the ALN&I Quality Officer to ensure that up-to-date information regarding pupil progress and the Area's needs in relation to the quality of provision is communicated.
• Work closely with the Senior Educational Psychologist for Communication and Interaction to implement agreed strategies at school and specialist centre level. This will include delivering training programmes and strategies for individuals within schools and specialist centres.
• Ensure clear operational guidance for school staff and for the day-to-day work of teachers and assistants within the Centres.
• Work collaboratively with other specialist teachers within the ALN Service.
• Contribute to INSET and staff development within the Service and within schools.
• Prepare reports on progress against agreed criteria.
• Ensure that the criteria are well known and implemented consistently across schools.
• Update the database of pupils receiving support from the Service.
• Ensure implementation in accordance with the recommendations of the Area ALN&I Forum.
• Participate, as required, in processes that review, monitor and develop the Communication and Interaction Service.
General
• Responsibility for self-development.
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety rules in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
• Operate within the Council’s policies in relation to equal opportunities and equality.
• Responsible for managing information in accordance with the Council’s information management guidelines. Ensure that personal information is treated in accordance with Data Protection legislation.
• Commitment to reducing the Council’s carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council’s Carbon Footprint.
• Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds to the salary level and responsibility level of the job.
• Responsibility to report any concern or suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused.
Special Circumstances . e.g. the need to work unsociable hours, special working arrangements etc.
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