ChildVision: Director of Reading and Learning
Director of Reading and Learning
ChildVision is Ireland’s only dedicated service for children with sight loss, some of whom also have profound sensory impairments and additional disabilities. We are a national resource for families and professionals, needing expert help in the area of visual impairment or visual impairment and/or additional disabilities. We aim to provide a supportive and inclusive learning community where disability does not create a barrier to the fulfilment of aspiration or ambition.
Just because our children can’t see the stars doesn’t mean they can’t reach for them… This is YOUR opportunity to play a key leadership role in ensuring they can!
TITLE: Director of Reading and Learning
LOCATION: ChildVision, Drumcondra, or at any other location associated with the service.
RESPONSIBLE TO: CEO
WORKING HOURS: 39 hour working week. Hours of attendance will be determined by the CEO or designated nominee. From time to time you may be required to work outside of the normal hours.
HOLIDAYS: ChildVision’s holiday year runs from 1st January through to 31st December. Entitlement is 30 days.
ChildVision is seeking an experienced and dynamic senior professional to join our leadership team as Director of Reading and Learning. Reporting to the CEO, this role will play a pivotal role in advancing our vision of providing a supportive and inclusive learning community where disability does not create a barrier to the fulfilment of aspiration or ambition. From babies to young adults of 23 years of age, ChildVision opens up all the doors to the world of learning for blind, visually impaired and multi-disabled young people all over Ireland.
Responsibilities
The Director will be responsible for leading a highly capable team of professionals, driving strategy and improvements and ensuring the highest level of service is delivered for the children and young people, their families, guardians and other relevant stakeholders. While each of the following areas have their own management and teams, the Director will have overall responsibility for these areas;
- Early Years - Early intervention classes are followed by our Preschool, with full nursing care to hand.
- Outreach Services – Expanding our national remit and reach through outreach services.
- Reading Services – A national service established to meet the educational needs of children with a visual impairment attending either mainstream or special education at both primary and secondary level.
- Responsible for overseeing programs that support children with disabilities in their reading and learning journey.
- Provide support to the relevant Managers of the individual areas and collaborate with the relevant stakeholders, driving supports for children with diverse learning needs.
- Provide guidance to educators and staff members to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills and resources to effectively support children with disabilities in their reading and learning endeavors.
- Lead and support the individual management to ensure a high quality of work, excellent levels of motivation and the achievement of ChildVision’s strategic objectives.
- Provide leadership, support, guidance and supervision to management in terms of impact and day-to-day performance.
- Facilitate effective internal communications with staff across all departments in ChildVision
- Collaborate with educators, therapists, and other professionals to create a holistic approach to support children's reading and learning.
- Conduct assessments and evaluations to measure the effectiveness of reading and learning interventions and make necessary adjustments based on data-driven insights.
- Stay up-to-date on best practices, research, and advancements in the field of special education and incorporate relevant findings and share this information with management for use in program development.
- Liaise with parents/guardians as needed to support management teams.
- Monitor budgetary considerations related to program development and resource allocation.
- Foster a supportive and inclusive environment that promotes the academic and social-emotional growth of children with disabilities.
- Serve as an advocate for children with disabilities, promoting awareness and understanding within the community.
Personal Qualities
- Strong leadership skills - an ability to lead by example and inspire and motivate teams.
- An ability to work effectively with cross-disciplinary teams and functions.
- Experience of managing and leading high performing teams.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills.
- Familiarity with evidence-based interventions and strategies for supporting children with disabilities in reading and learning.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development and staying informed about developments in the field of special education.
- Passion for advocating for the rights and needs of children with disabilities.
- Previous experience working with children with disabilities, preferably in a teaching or educational leadership role.
Qualifications/requirements
- Minimum Degree level 8 qualification in Care/Disability/Special Education/Psychology, or a related field.
- 5+ years operating in a senior management role in the Disability or related Sector.
- Additional qualification in management an advantage
Benefits
- Salary Range – HSE grade 8 pay scale, based on experience
- Company Pension contribution 7%
- Bike to work scheme
- Childcare
- Employee assistance program
- Discounted Gym membership
- On-site parking
- Sick pay scheme
- Annual Leave 30 days