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Eagle House Group Questions - Practice Interview Questions

Terms in this set (80)

I strongly align myself with the school's values of promoting independence, self-esteem, a specific environment for pupils with autism, using positive behaviour support to enhance learning

I have experience in an ABA setting and would love experience working in a school that values multi-level approaches to support its learners - I like the way it uses a variety of methods such as TEACCH, Makaton, PODD, ABA, psychology to promote positive behaviour and academic skills
Why do you want to work for the school?
In terms of a definition; a neuro-developmental disorder characterised by difficulties with social interaction and communication , repetitive or restrictive patterns

However as autism is a spectrum disorder, each individual is unique and so characteristics present differently

Individuals might have excellent attention to detail, they may have a different way of receiving and making sense of sensory information
What is autism?
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Tell me about yourself...
A supportive environment that values and understands autism

A positive, holistic approach that is applied to help pupils develop in not only their academic skills, but in important living and independent skills, communication

Using a range of approaches to support learners, including TEACCH, Makaton, PODD, PECS, ABA, little group approach and a range of individuals in a multi disciplinary team
Describe Eagle House Group in your own words...
Remain calm and intervene quickly to prevent escalation
Assess the wellbeing and welfare of other pupils/members of staff - do they need to be removed from the area
Get additional support if required
Follow strategies as listed in the pupil's behaviour support plan
Identify the function of the behaviour
Use Team Teach interventions to respond to BTC if required
How would you deal with challenging behaviour?
A wealth of skills and knowledge learnt through my psychology degree - communication skills, organisational and prioritisation skills, statistics skills, psychological knowledge

Experience working in an ABA setting, working with a range of pupils to support needs and implement individualised interventions

Teamwork skills - I have experience working in a MDT and liaising with a range of individuals, which I can apply to this role

Commitment to improving and developing the lives of pupils with autism and additional needs
What can you bring to this role?
An approach that aims to enhance the quality of life, promote inclusion and participation, teach skills while removing aversive practices
What is Positive Behaviour Support?
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What are the main concerns regarding safeguarding?
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What would you do if a pupil disclosed to you?
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What would you do if you saw another member of staff acting negatively to a student?
Towards the end of term, we had several teacher swaps and a new lead teacher and other teachers in my class

Last week we had a pupil emitting high levels of BTC in class and as the only teacher who had direct experience working with the pupils, I acted as a leader in the situation and made decisions such as calling for additional support using our tannoy system, having other pupils removed from class, and leading the de-escalation of the BTC
Give an example of a time you demonstrated leadership
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Give an example of a time you were a good team player
Every child has the right to education and to be included

Children with autism might need additional help and it is therefore important that the school adapts and creates an individualised curriculum/support for them

Curriculum should be modified to ensure a pupil's access and inclusion is not limited by the additional support they need
Why is inclusion important?
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What would you say your biggest strength is?
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What would you say your biggest weakness is?
Committed - to helping pupils I work with

Positive - always focus on positives, even small achievements

Persevering - understand that things won't always go right but will always persevere to reach a solution
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Creative

Excellent attention to detail and visual learners

Specific interests and often highly knowledgeable about these things
What are the positives of autism?
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How can you enhance communication in individuals with autism?
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How can you accelerate a child with autism's learning?
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How can you use technology to enhance learning?
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Why is keeping records and informing parents important?
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How would you lay out a classroom for pupils with autism?
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What steps would you take if you suspected or knew about abuse in a child?
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What are some potential signs of abuse?
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Do you know what Team Teach is?
Work within the curriculum access team to provide a range of support to staff, pupils and families

Develop behaviour support plans - carrying out functional behaviour assessments to identify functions of behaviour and then implement interventions based on this

To provide individualised interventions with pupils
What are the main duties and responsibilities of the role?
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Give an example of a time where you have been given constructive criticism?
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Discuss what you know about mental health disorders that often co-occur with autism...
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Give an example of how you solved a problem in the past
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What type of working environment do you prefer?
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Give an example of a time where you had to be adaptable?
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What can you bring to the role and team at Eagle House Group?
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Give an example of a time where you showed initiative?
Communication barriers may mean pupils are unable to disclose to an adult

There is a risk that associated traits can be misinterpreted as indicators of abuse (e.g. self injurious behaviour)

Pupils may lack social understanding and communication; behaviours may appear as peer on peer abuse however intention and awareness has to be looked at
What are additional safeguarding barriers for pupils with autism?
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What skills is it essential for our pupils to learn?
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How would you ensure that pupils feel included in all activities?
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Discuss a recent academic paper you have researched...
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Explain the Ziggurat model in your own words...
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How would you build resilience within your team?
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What do you think would be the most challenging about the job?
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What strategies can you implement to help deal with emotion regulation?
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Do you have interests outside of education/your career that you could bring into the classroom?
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Discuss a time where an intervention did not work...
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Discuss a time you conducted a Functional Behaviour Assessment
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Discuss a time you used Functional Communication Training
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Discuss a time you have used a sensory diet
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Discuss a time you have used alternative behaviours to reduce BTC
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Discuss proactive strategies you have used
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Discuss active strategies you have used
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Discuss reactive strategies you have used
6 week baseline assessment using the Autism Education Framework to determine functioning, strengths and needs
e.g. social communication, emotion recognition, sensory processing

Conduct preference assessments to identify key interests for motivation and to act as reinforcers

Assessments from SALTs and OTs

Communication with parents and carers to identify all needs
What steps would you take when a new pupil joined the school?
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Describe a time you had conflict or a disagreement with parents
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What would you say your biggest achievement is?
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Discuss a time where you were involved in data collection
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Why is it important to collect data and write reports?
If possible, complete an independent body check on the pupil and record any noticeable marks or anything unusual

Monitoring the pupil's breathing and general health and wellbeing

Contact parents, explaining exactly what happened
You have been involved in an incident that required the use of restrictive practices or restraints as a last resort. The pupil is now calm. What are your next steps?
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Tell me about a time you had to work closely with someone whose personality or work style clashed with yours
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Talk about a time when you made a mistake. How did you handle it and what was the outcome?
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Tell me about your ability to work under pressure
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Why do you think you'd be a good fit for this role?
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Why are you leaving your job?
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What do you see yourself doing in the future?
Everybody

Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children

Everyone must be up to date in the policies and procedures e.g. keeping children safe in education
Who is responsible for safeguarding pupils?
Teach topics and create discussion through PSHE

e.g. what to do if they are worried about something, online safety
How can the school help pupils to keep themselves safe?
Anxiety: worry, fear, restlessness (LB difficulty sleeping, new members of staff, repetitive questions)

ADHD: difficulty concentrating, hyperactivity, difficulty switching from one task to another

Depression: changes in appetite, low mood, sleep disturbance, fatigue

OCD: obsessive behaviours (AN furniture in place, pen lids, sleeves; AA light switch on and off)
Discuss symptoms or your experiences of comorbid conditions/disorders
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Have you completed Registered Behaviour Technician Training and what was the key thing you learnt from this training?
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What experience do you have working with children and young people with autism/learning disabilities?
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Discuss your experience in working with a multi disciplinary team
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Discuss your understanding of the assessment and intervention procedures involved in working with children with autism
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Do you have experience training other staff members?
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What are the implications of autism in terms of learning and development?
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Discuss your ability to work to deadlines and utilising effective time management techniques?
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Discuss your ability to communicate with a wide variety of audiences
Parametric - uses normal population and makes assumptions about the population

Non-paramaretric - population is arbitrary and does not make assumptions about the populations
Discuss your competence with SPSS and statistics (both parametric and non-parametric)
An approach to enhance communication

Often using a playful approach

Increasing understanding and use of the fundamentals of nonverbal communication (e.g. attention and listening, eyecontact, turntaking
What is intensive interaction?
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Tell me about a time that you were flexible in your work
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Tell me about your ability to cope in stressful situations
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How involved should parents/carers be in their child's education
The BPS has 4 codes of practice:

Respect - of people; promote equality and morality

Competence - all professionals must ensure that they are not providing services outside of their area, training and skillset

Responsibility - professionals must ensure that their responsibility is not abused

Integrity - being open, fair, honest, consistent and truthful
Discuss how you would work in accordance with codes of ethical practice (e.g. BPS)
Boyle et al - Is the use of labels in special education helpful?

what are the benefits and limitations

Led me to a discussion with my brother because at the time he was in the process of getting diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 18

We discussed the subject and he believed that he would've been benefited by the label as teachers had called him lazy

I wanted to be in a role to ensure that children don't go through that, so this triggered my interest in SEN and then my previous role came up just as I was graduating and from there I've become so passionate about SEN and specifically autism
What is one of the most meaningful pieces of literature you have read and why?
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