Do you have a passion for working with Early Years children with Special Needs?

Would you like to make a difference to children’s early learning through working with parents?

Would you like to work independently as well as being part of a dedicated specialist team?

If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

We are looking to recruit a part time (18 hours per week) Portage worker to join our innovative THRIVE team and help play a central role in exciting developments within the Early Help division!

What does the Portage Team do?

Portage is a home visiting service for preschool children with Special Needs. We support parents and carers in their homes to help their children learn by breaking learning into small steps, through individually tailored fun play activities. We work with children aged 0-3½ providing practical, relevant and holistic support for families through what can be both a challenging and rewarding journey from the early days until the child starts nursery.

You will be part of a skilled, friendly and supportive team who meet regularly for supervision and work closely with a wide range of Therapists, Educational Psychologists, Specialist Family Support workers both in the home and in the community within the Wandsworth Early Help division. This effective joined up working has maximum impact for the children and their families.

What will your role be?

You will have your own case load of children that you manage independently in collaboration with families and team commitments. Working with children over a long period of time allows you to build supportive relationships with children and parents and see the impact of your work with families, making this a really rewarding role. We also offer a range of fun specialist groups such as waterfun, baby massage and regular social events for families which you will be a part of.

To be shortlisted your CV and personal statement will clearly demonstrate:

• Excellent knowledge of child development 0-3½ years
• Experience of working with children with Special Needs.
• Appropriate qualification in a related field such as a degree in Early Childhood Studies or a minimum of two years’ experience of working directly with children 0-3½ and their families.
• A valid UK driving licence and use of a car.

Ideally you will a knowledge of the Portage approach to learning or be willing to travel to complete the Portage training.

For more information, please see the job profile attached at the bottom of the advert

Benefits

In return, we can offer you working arrangements that will enhance your work-life balance.  These include Compressed hours, home working (dependent on service need), part-time working, annualised hours, term time only, essential car users allowance is payable and a generous holiday allowance of 31 days plus bank holidays. 

In addition, we offer a range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts at many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments. A wide range of developmental opportunities is also offered.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

• Closing Date: 11:59pm on 24th November 2019
• Shortlisting Date: Week commencing 25th November 2019
• Interview Date: To be Confirmed

For an informal discussion please contact Jackie Clement on 020 8871 7130 or email Jackie.Clements@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

Useful Information:

Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information:

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It replaces the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

•  Portage Worker - Job Profile