Job Introduction
Hampshire County Council’s Services for Young Children (SfYC) Inclusion Team is dedicated to improving outcomes for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We work in partnership with educational settings, families, and other agencies to ensure that children with SEND receive the support they need to thrive.
We are looking for a committed and knowledgeable Early Years (EY) SEN Practitioner to join our team. In this role, you will provide expert guidance and tailored support to staff in EY childcare settings, helping them create inclusive environments in mainstream settings where children with a wide SEND range can thrive. Your work will focus on promoting positive approaches, developing inclusive strategies, and ensuring access to appropriate resources.
What you’ll do:
You'll provide specialist advice to staff in pre-school settings on a range of special needs and disabilities, inclusive strategies and the provision of resources to enable children with a range of SEND to succeed in the setting. You'll work directly with settings to develop activities matched to individual children’s SEND and liaise with external agencies to enable children to gain access to services.
You'll problem solve with parents/carers to develop and undertake activities matched to the needs of the child, as well as helping them to promote their child’s development in liaison with the setting.
What we’re looking for:
You'll need a relevant qualification in Health, Education, or Social Care to NVQ level 4 standard, or have evidence of working at this level, with a willingness to work toward a qualification; as well as having completed a recognised Portage course or will complete within an agreed induction plan.
You'll have various SEND training, including complex needs and behaviours, and experience of working with families and young children in the early years; as well as demonstrable knowledge/experience of child development in the early years.
Safer Recruitment
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.