Behaviour Practitioner – BCBA
ABACAS Special School in Kilnamanagh invites applications for the maternity substitute position of Behaviour Practitioner starting in September 2025. At present this is a full-time, 6-month substitute position funded by a grant from the Department of Education and Skills. The successful applicant will be employed by the Board of Management of ABACAS Special School.
ABACAS Special School Kilnamanagh currently has 30 pupils ranging in age from 4 to 18 years old. All pupils of ABACAS have a diagnosis of autism and complex needs. Their initial enrolment is based upon a psychological report. Each pupil requires individualised supports.
The Behaviour Practitioner at ABACAS will have responsibility in accordance with the Education Act 1988 to support instruction provided to students by teachers in the school and shall contribute generally to the education and personal development of students in the school. It is the Behaviour Practitioner’s responsibility to ensure that the education of students is structured in such a way that all of their needs in terms of academics, communication, social skills, life skills, self-care and general well-being are met. The Behaviour Practitioner acts as a data-driven source of research-based preventative and remedial services. The Behaviour Practitioner reports directly to the Board of Management, and to the Principal on a day-to-day basis.
Requirements
The ideal applicant will meet the following criteria:
- Hold a Masters level qualification in Behaviour Analysis or a related field
- Have at least 5 years’ experience providing behavior support to individuals aged 4-18 years of age with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
- Have excellent organizational and leadership skills
- BCBA qualification is desirable, but not mandatory.
Responsibilities
1. Design behaviour support plans in conjunction with the teacher and parents, contributing to the IEP process.
2. Monitor and evaluate ongoing behaviour support plans in collaboration with all staff.
3. Support and advise assessment and evaluation of student progress across key skill areas, with emphasis on supporting independence in verbal ability, self-regulation of emotions and behavior, and self-care/ independent living skills.
4. Support, advise and plan with teachers in the following areas:
- verbal behaviour, self-care, social skills and other areas of behavior as they arise.
- the communication system/s that are most appropriate to the student.
- assessment of behaviours of concern and development of behaviour plans.
- identifying pupil’s learning support challenegs.
- selecting, tailoring and individualising goals for pupils and providing behavioral support to assist teaching strategies.
- choosing the methodology that best supports the whole curriculum.
- Implementing a school-wide positive behavior support model
5. Liaise with other therapeutic service providers (e.g. SLT, OT, CDNT, NCSE, Middletown etc.) in the selection, inclusion and or modification of learning goals for pupils, in conjunction with the Principal.
School Management
6. Design classroom and school-wide systems in conjunction with the teachers and Principal that support pupil success, classroom efficiency, school plans and the ethos of the patron body.
8. Submit regular reports to the BoM as required throughout the substitution period.
9. Provide supports to parents in the implementation of positive behavior support strategies.
Training
10. Assess staff training needs by both observation of the classroom and the opinions and needs of the teacher in the classroom.
11. Design and implement the training programme in conjunction with the teachers and other professionals who work in the school such as the OT or SLT to promote a regulation first approach. Monitor the effect of the training programme and if necessary, adjust the programme to meet the needs of the school.
12. Provide weekly staff training and ongoing mentorship in positive behaviour support strategies, classroom practice and evidence-based learning and teaching
Please note applicants will have to supply the following to be considered for the position;
- Cover Letter
- C.V.
- 2 Professional References
- An example of their own work in the form of a completed Behaviour Support Plan
Closing date: 25.06.2025
Job Types: Full-time, Specified-purpose
Contract length: 6 months
Benefits:
- On-site parking
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Kilnamanagh, Dublin 24 D24A2XF: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- You will need to be Garda Vetted for this position, are you ok with this?
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 31/03/2023
Reference ID: Temporary BCBA Position
Expected start date: 15/09/2025
