SEND Specialist Outreach Worker: Early Years SEND & Portage Team

SEND Specialist Outreach Worker:
Early Years SEND & Portage Team

Job location

Please note: Internal, at risk or redeployee applicants will be seen in the first instance.

Hybrid worker, with a team base at the Shay Stadium, Halifax.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a part-time SEND Specialist Outreach Worker, within our highly respected EYSEND & Portage Team, which is a part of Calderdale’s Specialist Inclusion Team (SIT).

SEND Specialist Outreach workers work directly with children (0 – 5years) with a wide range of special educational needs / disabilities (SEND). Our work is delivered across the Borough in family homes, educational and community settings.

The aim is to support children and their families in their early stages of learning & development so that they have inclusive access to their early education entitlements, childcare and when starting their statutory school journey. Working with the EYSEND Specialist Officers, our Outreach Team deliver the Portage (National Portage Association) model of specialist Early Education and key-working for families to ensure a holistic approach to each child’s needs, so that these are appropriately identified & supported.

The aim of our work is to empower families, practitioners and other professionals with knowledge, skills and practical strategies that enable the child and their family to live and learn confidently, access early years learning opportunities and access their local community life.

The EYSEND & Portage Team provide specialist support and training across the Early Years the Sector and to our multi-agency partners to embed the principles of Dingley’s Promise Improving Inclusion across Calderdale

This post will have a strong focus on the delivery of Portage Specialist Early Education in the home and as such we are looking someone with:

• Solid understanding of early child development, Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and appropriate assessment tools.
• Recent experience working in the Early Years sector with children with a range of complex Special Educational Needs / Disability (SEND)
• Thorough understanding of small steps approaches and task analysis for building individualised learning and development plans as part of the Graduated Approach.
• An understanding of teaching and learning approaches that underpin early years pedagogy
• The skills to work with families and a range of other agencies, building the skills and resilience for future independence.
• Experience of collaborative multi-agency work, action planning and progress reviews.
• Excellent oral and written communication / organisational skills to be able to effectively carry a caseload of Portage families.
• Clear commitment to Improving Inclusion in Calderdale utilising the Dingleys Promise approaches
• Exemplary inclusive practice and knowledge of SEND processes within education
• A sound knowledge of the, SEND Code of Practice and other relevant legislation.
• Ability to contribute to the development and delivery of training

You must have a full UK driving licence with a car available for work.

Active participation in a comprehensive induction, reflective supervision, mentoring and Continuing Professional Development as an ongoing requirement of the role.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. Applicants to posts that are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act will require a DBS from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed.

Interview Date: TBC

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to…