Dionne Pior

At Longcause School i have supported students with Autism and other needs in different classes throughout the school setting. I have been very flexible in my approach to supporting all ages from 4 to 16. I have built upon my knowledge of Special needs, with a big focus on understanding Autism.

I have been able to make positive working relationships with pupils, offering encouragement and support through total communication, PACE, consistency and trust .

As part of my job as a teaching assistant i supported the teacher with the following:

• Prepared classroom materials to support effective lesson delivery.
• Assisted in evaluating student comprehension through assessments.
• Provided individual support to students in small groups to enhance understanding, knowledge retainment and confidence.
• Supervised students across various school settings ensuring a safe atmosphere and environment.
• Supported the classroom teacher with behaviour management maintaining a positive learning environment whilst being sensitive to the needs of the student.
• Facilitated inclusivity for students with special educational needs.
• Cultivated strong relationships with students and staff to promote positive learning experiences.
• Maintained awareness of students' additional needs to boost confidence and development.
• Tutored students individually and in groups to reinforce understanding of core subjects.
• Oversaw students in wider school environments offering consistent support in dining, library, and playground settings.
• Delivered learning to students both remotely and in a school setting.
• Delivered rebound therapy to support regulation and physical activity sessions.

In addition to this, i have worked closely with other professionals such as speech and language therapists and occupational therapists,

• At Dame Hannah Rogers Trust, I work within the education department supporting pupils during the school day. I am a Learning Support Assistant within a class of 6 pupils. I have worked in classes of all ages ranging from 4 to 19 years. My role within the class is to support the Teacher in delivering learning situations to the pupils, all of which have severe physical and/or learning difficulties.
• I am experienced in supporting PMLD pupils for the most part, but have an understanding of the Autistic Spectrum also. I have experience working with challenging behaviour, acquired brain injury, cerebral Palsy, visual impairment, agenesis of the corpus callosum and other conditions under the PMLD sector.
• Within my job role, I have had experience supporting health needs and undertaking tasks such as oxygen therapy, oral suctioning, chest physio, gastrostomy/peg feeding, and clinical observations. I have supported pupils with their Physical needs following guidance from physiotherapists. Within this I have been able to deliver and support Rebound Therapy sessions and hydrotherapy sessions with the pupil I am supporting. I have experience in using postural equipment such as standing frames and walking aids.
• I have also had the opportunity to support the young people with their communication following guidance from the speech and language team. Within this, I have been able to promote total communication using symbols, communication books, communication boards, talking mats, makaton signing, picture exchange communication system, big mack switches and some augmentative and alternative communication devices.
• I have been able to give input into producing behaviour management plans for the young person I work closely with.
• I work on a 2:1 and 1:1 basis supporting the Students with their Personal, health, physical and educational needs.

• At Stepping Stones I worked as an enabler within a residential home for adults with physical and/or learning difficulties. The usual ratio was 2/3 enablers per 6 adults. There I would assist the service users with their personal and physical needs, offering them support with day to day activities. Within my role I was key worker to one resident in particular.
• During my time at Stepping Stones, I had the privilege of working with adults of varying ages and disabilities. I was able to gain knowledge and experience of enabling adults who has suffered a stroke, spina bifida, cerebral palsy and dementia.

• At Next, I worked as a sales advisor as part of a large team in the ladies wear department within the store. I worked hard to assist the customers with their enquiries and ensured that they were happy with the customer service they received. I worked at Next on a part time basis during the time I spent at college completing a National Diploma qualification.
• I also had experience of working in the stock room, sourcing items for customers and assisting customers in the fitting rooms ensuring privacy and continued customer service.

• To assist customers with their enquiries and completing their purchase at the checkout.
• During my time at CDS, The Range, I was able to demonstrate my customer service skills both working at the check out and at the customer services desk where I assisted with further queries from customers both in person and over the telephone. I also had the opportunity to restock and create displays of goods.