Early Years SEND Practitioner

Early Years SEND Practitioner

A rewarding opportunity has arisen for a passionate and proactive practitioner to provide early, accessible support for young children and families through a Family Hub and wider community network.

This job is officially known within the organisation as a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner

If you’ve also worked in the following roles, we’d also like to hear from you: Early Years Practitioner, SEND Practitioner, Early Years SEN Practitioner, Inclusion Practitioner, Portage Practitioner, Child Development Practitioner, Family Support Practitioner, Early Years Support Worker, SEND Support Worker

SALARY: £32,347 to £34,317 pro rata per annum + Benefits

LOCATION: Cotmanhay, Derbyshire, East Midlands

JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Contract until 31 March 2029

WORKING HOURS: 37 Hours per Week

JOB OVERVIEW

This is a rewarding opportunity to help children and families access the right support at the right time, while promoting early intervention, inclusion and positive long-term outcomes.

Working as an Early Years SEND Practitioner, you will support families with children aged 0–5 who have emerging or identified needs, including children with complex needs and disabilities.

As an Early Years SEND Practitioner, you will use observation, evidence‑based assessment tools and family engagement to identify needs early, plan support and help families connect with appropriate services.

The Early Years SEND Practitioner will work across Family Hubs, community settings and partner services, collaborating with health professionals, early years providers, local SEND teams and community partners.

DUTIES

Your duties as the Early Years SEND Practitioner include:

• Identify Emerging Needs: Observe children and use evidence‑based assessment tools to identify emerging special educational needs, including complex needs

• Provide Early Support: Deliver universal and targeted interventions for children and assess progress in response to support

• Support Families: Work with parents and families to agree strategies that help them support their child’s needs with confidence

• Navigate Local Services: Help families understand and access inclusion pathways, financial support and community resources

• Work with Partners: Collaborate with health services, early years providers, SEND teams and community partners to provide joined‑up support

• Deliver Sessions: Provide drop‑ins, short‑term early support workshops and family sessions within Family Hubs and community settings

• Maintain Records: Keep accurate records and provide reports in line with service protocols

• Attend Reviews: Contribute to multi‑agency meetings and reviews, sharing relevant information to support children and families

• Champion Inclusion: Contribute to service development and promote inclusion across the Family Hub and wider network

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

ESSENTIAL

• Experience of working with children aged 0–5 with complex needs and disabilities

• Experience of working with parents on joint assessment, review and teaching strategies

• Good oral and written communication skills with a range of audiences

• Ability to select and use a range of assessment techniques

• Ability to plan, set targets and review progress for individual children

• Competency in core IT skills

• Knowledge of early child development

• Effective working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework

• Knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice

• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills

• Ability to manage your own time effectively and plan your diary

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and individually

• Ability to drive and work anywhere in the county

• Ability to use active listening skills

• NVQ3, NNEB or equivalent qualification in education or childcare

• Ability to speak fluent English to communicate fully with clients and the public

• Must already have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship

DESIRABLE

• Experience of working as part of a multi‑agency team

• Experience of a range of early years provision and practice

• Experience of working using the Portage model

• Ability to prepare and deliver training to a range of audiences

• Ability to use appropriate teaching techniques and strategies for the individual child

• Knowledge of complex needs affecting children in this age group

• Knowledge of current early years issues

• Ability to recognise and identify your own training needs

• Additional Special Educational Needs qualification

• Other relevant qualification, such as counselling

BENEFITS

• Generous annual leave scheme

• Excellent local government pension

• Employee discounts

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check

JOB REF: AWDO-C15126