Speech & Drama Teacher – Contractor

Contractor Role

Speech & Drama Teacher

Down Syndrome Ireland Louth Meath Branch Details

Down Syndrome Ireland Louth Meath Branch provides support and information to over 350 families with a family member with Down syndrome in the counties of Louth & Meath. The Branch is run on a voluntary basis by member families with the support of a part-time administrator and is one of 25 Branches linked to the national office of Down Syndrome Ireland. The Louth Meath Branch believes in supporting families to ensure the best quality of life possible for its members with Down syndrome. It works with families, united in the aim to achieve respect, acceptance and equality within society for its members with Down syndrome.

Branch activities are funded mainly through charitable donations with small support through public grants.

About the Role

The Louth Meath Branch is seeking to hear from enthusiastic and suitably qualified speech and drama teachers.

Classes are held on Saturday mornings in Drogheda for 1 to 2 hours. There are 10 members in the present group and they are very enthusiastic and love drama and music.

Responsibilities

The Speech and Drama teacher will

provide a fun-based environment for adults with Down Syndrome

assess the abilities and interests of the group
develop the communication skills of the group

identify their interests and devise programmes in collaboration with the group

develop oral skills and social interaction through drama, music and performance

Who you are? Characteristics

The ideal person will

possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
be professional and focused with an enthusiasm for working with people with Down Syndrome.
Be self-motivated and creative

Skills, background & Qualification

The teacher will have

a certificate in drama teaching
experience in working with people with an intellectual disability
garda vetting and a tax clearance certificate are essential

Remuneration and Benefits

The contract rate of pay is per class

Rate of pay will be negotiated with the successful applicant

Application

Please forward expressions of interest, including experience to date, and contract details for review to: audrey.jackson1@gmail.com

Contact will be made to discuss contracts and experience. We may also ask to speak to previous clients for feedback.

Please respond by Friday 18th November 2022

Early Intervention Home Teaching – Contractor

Contractor Role

Early Intervention Home Teaching

Down Syndrome Ireland Louth Meath Branch Details

Early intervention (EI) specialists are contracted to deliver an Early Intervention Home Teaching Programme for pre-school children (aged from 1 year to 6 years) with Down syndrome in the counties of Louth and Meath. This programme was established by the Louth Meath Branch in 1982 to provide essential early intervention support to young children within their local communities. The programme is managed on a completely voluntary basis by members of the Branch who are themselves the parents of children with Down syndrome.

The scheme is funded mainly through charitable donations with small support through public grants.

About the Role

The Louth Meath Branch is seeking to hear from enthusiastic and suitably qualified service providers who can offer early intervention support to its youngest members.

This contract would suit an early childhood professional who is committed to supporting infants and preschool children with Down syndrome to reach their full potential. The service provider will join a small team of other EI home teaching contractors dedicated to supporting young children within the Louth Meath Branch. The service provider will liaise directly with member families and visit infants and preschool children with Down syndrome in their homes across the counties of Louth and Meath.

Responsibilities

The Early Intervention Home Teaching Contractor will

provide a structured but fun-based learning environment for infants and young children with intellectual disabilities;
assess the abilities, interests and needs of the child and discuss progress or concerns with parents / guardians;
devise specific learning plans to meet the individual needs of the child;
work with the child to help develop skills in communication, speech and language, motor skills, learning, social interaction.

Who you are? Characteristics

The ideal service provider will

possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
be professional and focused with an enthusiasm for working with young children with Down syndrome.

Skills, background & Qualification

The ideal service provider will

hold, at minimum, a qualification in early years education placed in the NFQ: Level 6;
have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working with children with intellectual disability;
have their own motor vehicle and guarantee that it is adequately insured for such business use.

Desirable Skills

The service provider will

have an NFQ: Level 7 or 8 qualification in early years education;
hold a specific qualification in special needs education.
have good knowledge in child development, intellectual disability, ASD, LÁMH, PECS, early intervention and education programmes;
knowledge of Down syndrome specific issues;
Experience with Aistear teaching programmes;
be a member of the Teaching Council.

Remuneration and Benefits

The contract rate is €81 per home visit.

The service provider should be able to start immediately and the contract will extend until the end of June 2023 initially.

Application

Please forward expressions of interest, including experience to date, and contract details for review to: earlyinterventionprogrammedslm@gmail.com

Contact will be made to discuss contracts and experience. We may also ask to speak to previous clients for feedback.

Please respond by Friday 21^st October 2022