Description
Job Description & Person Specification >
A Portage Home Visitor is required to support pre-school children with SEND and their families. The post holder will work in partnership with parents to model an educational programme of learning and development in the home, and offer support through a key working role using a family centred approach.
This is a great opportunity to work as a member of the Torbay Portage Service (and the wider SEND Services) delivering the ‘Portage model’ of support to pre-school children with complex disabilities/additional needs, and their families/carers. The Portage Team are part of the Home Learning Environment and Early Years Team years team and therefore part of the role includes working collaboratively with the wider team and ensuring that you remain up to date with Early Years Legislation to be able to support and advise early years settings.
The Home Visitor is expected to complete the National Portage Association Portage Workshop and hold relevant child development qualifications. Experience working with children with disabilities/additional needs in a home-based setting would be advantageous.
You will have an individual caseload of pre-school children, providing regular home visits using a teaching programme which follows ‘structured teaching’, ‘child led play’ and ‘family focus’ elements of the Portage Model. You will be responsible for keeping up to date computerised records of all support provided and managing your own diary. The Portage team also provides groups for families to attend and present workshops on various topics based on the needs of families.
Experience working within a multi-agency framework would be beneficial. Portage Home Visitors have close links with a variety of agencies and services including Health Services, Early Years Settings, the SEND department and the Educational Psychology Service.
Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
This position is Term Time working and the salary will be pro rated to reflect this.
This post meets the requirements for an Enhanced Criminal Record Check. This will show spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions which have not been filtered in line with legislation, plus any information held by local Police that is considered relevant to the role.
If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by placing the below URL into your browser:
https://www.torbay.gov.uk/portage-home-visitor/
For an informal chat please contact Annette Smith on 01803 201201 or annette.smith@torbay.gov.uk.
Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 24th November 2025.
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.
Skills
Essential:
* Effective communication skills.
* A high level of interpersonal skills.
* Ability to create good working relationships with children, parents/carers, colleagues and other professionals.
* Ability to advocate on behalf of children and families across all agencies.
* Ability to prepare enjoyable, practical and individual programmes of activities for children under 5yrs with Special Educational Needs and/or a disability to meet agreed learning priorities.
This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
Knowledge
Essential:
* Knowledge of Special Educational Needs experienced by young children.
* Understanding of child development and the needs of children and young people, including physical, emotional, cultural and social needs.
* A comprehensive understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and EYFS statutory requirements.
* Experience of working with a range of IT software, including Microsoft Office applications.
* Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
Experience & Qualifications
Essential:
* Broad experience of working with young children with Special Educational Needs.
* Experience of working in partnership with families, carers and multiagency professionals.
* Experience of working within a team.
* Experience of working with other professionals and agencies.
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