need help advice, applying for job..

[Suze]

Hi guys, I could really do with some and advice and help , after 13 yrs and 3 kids I,m attempting to get out into work/employment again. Going back to the occupation I did before the kids is a no no, as it was,nt the type of 9-5 job you can slot the kids and school holidays around.So for a while I,ve been thinking about working in a school environment as a classroom asst.I,ve helped regularly at my kids school over the years and enjoyed it.So I,ve seen an AD for a teaching asst at a special school for autistic kids.Its 2 days a week which would be brill for me .Now I,ve got the application form and I,m having serious doubts about my chances of even getting an interview.Essentially you would have GCSE,S..........I,ve got 8 o-levels and 3 Alevels.....(not good grades).....but........It would be desirable if you had NVQ3/NNEB........Which I don,t have .Essentially you would have experience of working/caring for children....I just have my experience of helping at school and caring/raising my own kids, one who is autistic.

 

 

.........theres other stuff too.....but I guess what I,m wanting to know is , from those who work in schools or at specific autistic schools is.....will my appilcation just be dismissed.......I,d really love the oppurtunity to work with autistic kids..........its all I,ve known for the last 8 yrs since my son was dx .I feel I,ve got alot of experience and understanding to offer, but will just being a parent with an autistic child count in my favour at all

 

,........I have to make a personal statement about why I,m applying for the job, and its sounding a bit....pathetic......I mention my son obviously just wondering if thats too fluffy..........I guess I,m scared these professional people at the school might laugh at me.

 

 

.........can anyone help. ..............if there are any teachers/headmasters out there or parents who work at schools could you offer any advice.

[zaman]

I know nothing about schools, but I've done a lot of recruitment, and I would say that you've got nothing to lose by filing in the form. It is always important when filling in forms to demonstrate why you meet the criteria listed on the person spec. You must put as much as you possibly can here, even if it makes you feel like spelling out the obvious, as it is how employers decide whether or not to interview. If you can list personal experience against them, there is no reason why they shouldn't consider you. If the NVQ qualification is 'desirable' then say that you would be happy to work towards gaining a qualification. The O level vs GCSEs bit just shows that the likes of you and me sat exams in the olden days . . .

 

Remember to keep a copy of the form when you've completed it as well.

 

Good luck!

[lorryw]

Suze, they should welcome you with open arms. I know that my school would put you straight to the top of the pile.

Good luck and go for it girlie!

love Loraine x

[baddad]

Hi hen <'>

 

I've no direct experience in this, but indirectly have come into contact with many, many teaching assistants and LSA's. I've met a few good ones, but by and large have been quite unimpressed and on some occasions have been dumbstruck to see people who seem to have all the empathy skills of Hannibal Lecter getting employed on the strength of little else than that they have an adequate number of GCSE's and are the only people who've applied for the job after three adverts in the local rag.

You have absolutely oodles of empathy (In fact, if anything, that's something you are going to have to play down otherwise your gonna find yourself being walked all over by the little darlings and/or bursting into tears of sympathy every time one of them skins a knee ), and oodles of the spontaneity and lateral thinking which solves the kind of learning problems these kids will be looking for support with. As far as 'experience with kids' goes, the fact that you have kids with special needs of your own coupled with the above are worth more than any NVQ3 (not deriding NVQ 3, but they are qualifications based on 'vocation' and you don't get much more vocational than 24/7) and that should be apparent to a good interviewer, especially as you have the qualifications to show that you would get an NVQ3 with the in house training the school undoubtedly offers... In simple terms, you aint got an NVQ3 'cos you've never needed one, but if that's what they want and their willing to give you the opportunity you'll get it as quickly as their assessor can push it at you!

One other thing to think about though... you are going to also come into contact with some absolutely atrocious parents and probably with some atrocious attitudes toward disabled children from a small minority of teaching staff. Personally, that's the reason why I'd be absolutely useless as a TA, but if you think you can handle that side of it the kids would benefit hugely from having someone like you steering them in the right direction, so GO FOR IT!

 

[mossgrove]

A friend of ours started work as a TA in a special school specialising children with Autism and EBD last year. She had not worked since having children and had no specific qualifications other than GCSEs etc..

 

It has worked out really well for all concerned and she is very happy.

 

Simon

[Suze]

Thanks for the replies guys, the encouragement means alot.hugs suzex

[Kathryn]

Good luck Suze - I think you'd be great at this!

 

K x

 

 

[charliesmomuk]

Hi:)

I'm a TA in very similar circumstances.. had good As and O levels (even a completely useless degree lol) but stayed home and raised kids... then got an ASD kid of my own.

Eventually I applied for a TA job on the strength of my experience with children..mine (all 4) and especially my ASD child..and I got the job. Do NOT discount your actual life experience.. it will be far more important than you think! You have hands on practical experience and that beats all the NVQs in the world!

 

Go for it! I've been working in a class for children with severe ASD and challenging behaviour for 5 years now!

Julesx

 

 

[Suze]

Hi guys a big thankyou to everyone who replied , it helped........sent off the application today

[Jadensmum]

No advice - just wanted to say Good Luck <'>

[lynne]

 

 

Having a TA/LSA with ASD experience with her own children would be a wonderful contribution to the school.

 

I wish you well in your application

[Suze]

Hi guys, just a quick update.....................

 

..............I got a letter today and I,ve been shortlisted for an interview in the new year

 

...........can,t believe it as I really thought I,d been dismissed as my application went in 2 wks ago.

 

...........so now I,ve got about 3 wks of nerves to cope with

[Kathryn]

Brilliant!

 

K x

[bid]

Woop woop!!

 

Bid

[baddad]

<'>

[Tally]

Congratulations! I hope the interview goes well.

[pookie170]

Awesome! I just got my disclosure through today (6 weeks it took!!!!) so I think I'll be starting my SLA post after the New Year-it's such a fab feeling, getting an interview, isn't it? Scary as well, but you wouldn't have been offered an interview if they didn't consider you suitable. Be prepared for a few questions along the lines of 'What would you do if....' kinda thing. They seem to be big on scenarios! But I spose a big part of the job involves thinking on your feet, hey?

I hope you get the position, experience is invaluable- you have a good idea of what to expect and they'd be daft not to snap you up.

Good luck, Suze!!

[lorryw]

Well done!! You will be absolutely fine in the interview.

Loraine xx

[purplehaze]

Hi just picked up on this and wanted to say congratulations. I have a son with ASD and also work with children with various needs including ASD. When I have interviewed people I look for understanding/pasion and knowledge-which i'm sure you have.

 

You should mention all the strategies/knowledge you know and have used in the past

 

visual prompts/schedules/PECS/calming techniques/sensory etc

 

Goodluck

[Suze]

aahh ...thankyou guys , youve really made me feel chuffed.I,ll update when I get the interview through in the new year , then you can all advise me on a suitable interview outfit ......................