Flexible Learning and Disabilities Practitioner in Heighington

We are currently recruiting to increase our team of Flexible Children with Disabilities Practitioners. Flexible practitioners are vital to the success of the Children with Disabilities Support Services and ensure flexibility of the Early Support Learning Provision for 0 to 5 years old and Targeted Positive Activities for children and young people aged 5 to 18 years. Both services provide short breaks and learning opportunities for children with disabilities or complex health needs across Lincolnshire.

Do you have the passion and commitment to make a difference to a child and young person’s life? This is an exciting opportunity to join an experienced and dedicated team providing the Children with Disabilities Support Services projects. This role will support all children and young people with a disability or complex health need, working together for all children, young people and families to be happy, healthy, safe and the best they can be.

This role provides sessional support to Senior Practitioners and requires an understanding of the needs and complexities for children and young people with disabilities or complex health needs in providing a safe and stimulating environment while parents and carers can access a short break. The successful candidate will have experience of working in the same or similar position and can work across both or one of the services.

The Early Support Learning Provision operates in Lincolnshire Children Centres across 46 weeks of the year in the daytime. Targeted Positive Activities operates in evenings, weekends and for longer in the school holiday periods.

Benefits:

• 28 pro-rata days annual leave
• A comprehensive induction and training support package will be provided to the successful candidate.
• Mileage at 35p per mile from an agreed base
• Employer and employee contribution pension scheme
• Regular access to internal and external learning and development opportunities.

Main duties of the role:

• To support as directed high-quality sessions for children with disabilities or complex health needs in their early years up until they transition into full-time education (Reception Year) while providing parents and caregivers a suitable break from their caring responsibilities.
• Contribute to and understand the planning of sessions that align to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum, focusing on closing the attainment gap between children with disabilities and their peers while ensuring children’s personal care, and where appropriate health needs are met.
• Support the planning and provision of Stay and Play sessions that will support children, parents and caregivers to fully access mainstream provision, provide information and guidance while sharing key messages alongside ways to support play and learning in the home environment.
• Support high-quality community, youth groups and holiday sessions for children with disabilities or complex health needs from 5 to 18 years in local community venues while providing parents and caregivers a suitable break from their caring responsibilities.
• Contribute and support planning of these groups and sessions providing a range of appropriate and suitable activities in a safe and welcoming environment, led by the preference and capability of the attending comparable with their peers that promote self-confidence and independence whilst remaining suitable and safe for their abilities.
• Support attendees to live safely in their family home, access their local community, maximise their independence, develop peer group relationships, and help them to reach their full potential; encourage self-care, to do things for themselves, as much as they can and enhance their independence.

Essential Criteria:

• NVQ Level 3 in Early Years/Childcare, NVQ 3 Youth/Play work or equivalent and/or have relevant experience of working with children with disabilities or complex needs in their early years or 5-18 years.
• Understanding and knowledge of meeting the individual needs of disabled or complex health needs children and young people.
• Proven effective communication skills – able to communicate effectively in person and in writing, with professionals, staff, early help and social care teams and other professionals and organisations.
• Experience of working as an integrated team with other professionals such as social care, early help teams, educational providers, local voluntary organisations and other partners.

Hours per week: Flexible

Interview date: TBC

All successful applicants will be required to register and subscribe with the DBS Update Service (if you have not already done so) and undertake a new enhanced disclosure and barring check (even if you have an existing DBS Certificate).

The Alliance is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. It is a requirement of all staff that they share this commitment and follow the prescribed policy and procedures to continuously promote a culture of safeguarding across the whole organisation.