OPUS Practitioner

This is an exciting opportunity for someone seeking a new challenge. The role is based in our alternative social and emotional provision, which provides support for the most vulnerable and challenging young people from across the city. Applicants will have extremely high expectations of children's behaviour and potential, providing them with exciting and stimulating activities both in and out of the classroom, therefore ensuring that all children make excellent progress. They will work effectively with the Local Authority, other schools, staff, families and carers to overcome obstacles to accessing mainstream education and developing their potential both inside and outside the classroom., 1. Support with child behaviour, social, emotional and mental wellbeing; 2. Support on the development and implementation of a program of work specifically tailored to meet the needs of the child/ren with a view to successfully reintegrating children back into mainstream schools; 3. Support in the assessment of the needs of individual pupils; 4. Manage a caseload of pupils in improving their social and emotional development, behaviour and learning; 5. Maintain case files for the children, recording contact with the pupil and their families/carers; 6. Monitor and evaluate progress, including production of assessment reports; 7. Liaise with external agencies to improve outcomes for the children; 8. Provide advice and support to parents / carers of children; 9. Support the re-integration of children back to school; 10. Work with feeder schools to ensure a smooth transition of children between phases; 11. Any other duties appropriate to the post.

Working at national occupational standards [NVQ Level 3+] in supporting teaching and learning; Specialist knowledge of behaviour management or equivalent national vocational qualifications; Although not essential, a 'Nurture Award' qualification would be desireable; An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English.

OPUS at Ball Green Primary Academy is a for children 'at risk' of exclusion, or those who have been permanently excluded, from Key Stage 1 and/or Key Stage 2 mainstream schools. OPUS is a place where children are supported socially, emotionally and academically to prepare them for reintegration back into mainstream settings. The OPUS team are passionate about ALL children fulfilling their potential and providing a fresh start for them within a caring and supportive environment. OPUS and Ball Green Primary Academy are part of Societas Trust. As a valued member of staff or governor at The Societas Trust, not only will you be part of an organisation that is dedicated to ensuring 'Great Learning Opportunities for All', which is embedded in our core values of Moral Leadership, Collaboration, Uniqueness and Innovation, you will also have access to a wide range of employee and governor benefits enabling you to thrive., Stoke-on-Trent City Council is a unitary authority employing approximately 4,600 staff who deliver 700 services to more than 260,000 residents. Our city comprises of six towns: Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, Longton, Stoke and Tunstall. We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. We have undergone significant changes over the last few years. New ways of working have already transformed many service areas and we are determined to continue to develop more innovative approaches to ensure that we can maximise the benefits of transformation. Our city Although the 13th largest city in the UK, Stoke-on-Trent is rapidly outstripping a number of parts of the country with our economic growth and recovery. Stoke-on-Trent is a city with a strong sense of civic pride - we've been voted the kindest city in the UK - and a place where you'll receive a hugely warm welcome. We have a rich and diverse culture, steeped in our prestigious industrial heritage as the celebrated 'world capital of ceramics'. But we don't just want to celebrate our proud past - we firmly believe that Stoke-on-Trent's best years are ahead of it. We are determined to raise aspirations and match them with high-quality education and health provision, as well as improved opportunities to secure fulfilling and well-paid work. Through uniting social and economic opportunities, we are maximising the full power of the city council as a secure and steadfast institution within the city.

• Automatic enrolment into guilt edged pension schemes: Teachers' Pensions Scheme for teachers; Staffordshire Local Government Pension Scheme for all other staff
• Cancer and Chronic Illness Support
• Child Care Vouchers
• Counselling
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Discounted Gym Memberships
• Food Sensitivity Testing
• Financial Wellbeing Support
• Integrated GP Services
• Long Service Award after 25 years' continuous service
• Menopause Support
• Mindfulness Support and 'Mastering Mindfulness' courses
• Nurse Support
• Physiotherapy
• Private Medical Operations
• Recognition of relevant continuous service on appointment
• Staff Workshops, including Health Screening and Stress/Mindfulness Workshops
• Virtual Gym
• Weight Management Wellbeing Day - an additional day off work for your wellbeing
• Wide Range of Continuing Professional Development and Career Progression Opportunities, When you work for Stoke-on-Trent City Council you'll be helping to improve the lives and wellbeing of our residents. We'll provide you with support, learning opportunities and flexible working options and some amazing benefits including; a competitive salary, generous holidays, an excellent defined local authority benefit pension scheme, annual leave purchase scheme, cycle to work schemes just to name a few. We also have access to lifestyle benefits which offer a wide range of discounts such as family days out, travel, retail and many more.
Our commitment to you Vibrancy and diversity are two of Stoke-on-Trent's greatest assets. A city founded on creative endeavour should value and celebrate the multitude of voices, ideas and identities that shape its culture. We are committed to creating a culture which is truly inclusive, where all staff feel valued, listened to, supported and able to do their work to the best of their abilities at all times. And we must ensure that our decisions and policies nurture and empower communities across our city and do not inadvertently disadvantage groups and individuals that we want to help to thrive. Our approach to Equality and Diversity is an invitation to all our communities to work with and for us so we can continue to improve how we deliver services residents need. Our employee networks are inclusive, open forums for colleagues with similar lived experiences. They allow staff to meet, support and mentor each other, alongside being a voice for under-represented groups to advise and support the organisation when developing policies and services.