Job Overview
The Early Years SEND and Portage Practitioner will join a highly skilled, enthusiastic team, working with children from birth to school entry who have identified additional needs. Responsibilities include working in children’s homes and early years provision, supporting training for providers and parents, organising and running sensory play sessions and Portage groups, and delivering training and support as a Portage Practitioner.
Key Responsibilities
* Model effective strategies for parents and carers to support very young children within the home environment and provide advice and guidance to parents and professionals in meeting the special educational needs of Early Years children.
* Model inclusive and developmentally appropriate strategies for Early Years providers to support very young children with SEND within their settings.
* Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in line with requirements set by the Senior SEND Advisors.
* Prepare, or support Early Years settings to prepare, requests for Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNA).
* Support positive transitions into Early Years provision, promoting the education and development of children under three with special educational needs.
Qualifications and Experience
* Hold a Level 3 qualification in Childcare (or equivalent), with GCSEs at Grade C or above (or equivalent) in both Mathematics and English.
* Demonstrable, substantial experience of working with children under five and their families where children have SEND, including experience of collaborative partnership working with external agencies to enhance outcomes for children with SEND.
* Strong knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and the Early Years Foundation Stage, with the ability to implement effective strategies to support children with additional needs.
* Well-developed personal organisational skills, with the flexibility and willingness to travel to appointments and a range of venues as required.
* Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, alongside strong listening skills, with the ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with parents and professionals.
* Ability to support inclusion of children in Early Years settings by modelling good practice, sharing relevant information and offering guidance and advice to staff.
* Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability.
Additional Requirements
* An enhanced DBS check with a barred list is required for this post.
Equal Opportunity Employment
Leicestershire County Council is an equal opportunity employer. We consider reasonable adjustments for applicants with disabilities.
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