At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with special needs and their families through tailored assessments and interventions.
- Company: Join a supportive team dedicated to making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, excellent pension, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to staff development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives while developing your skills in a rewarding environment.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in education or childcare and experience with SEND.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Are you passionate and enthusiastic about supporting children with special needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and their families? An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Specialist Early Years Practitioner to join a successful and supportive team. We are looking for a qualified early years practitioner with proven knowledge of supporting young children with special needs to join the Early Intervention Support Service, part of Enfield's Service for Disabled Children.
You will be delivering individually tailored packages of assessment and intervention for pre‑school children aged 0-3 with significant SEND and providing practical guidance and emotional support for their parents/carers. You will hold your own caseload, working alone in family homes. Independent travel between family homes is required. You will need to hold a full UK driving licence and have the use of a ULEZ compliant car during working hours.
The successful applicant will be expected to:
- Hold a minimum of a Level 3 qualification in education, childcare or related field.
- Demonstrate exceptional knowledge of working with young children with SEND.
- Have excellent literacy and ICT skills to maintain records and write fluent detailed reports including statutory advice contributing to EHC needs assessments.
- Be an effective communicator, capable of forging supportive relationships with parents and confident to work independently in family homes across Enfield.
- Have excellent early developmental knowledge.
- Capably assess the learning and development of children aged 0-3 with SEND and devise developmentally appropriate learning activities.
- Plan and deliver a range of stay and play sessions to meet the needs of children referred to the service.
- Adopt the role of keyworker/lead professional to address wider family support needs.
- Work collaboratively with team members/professionals/other agencies involved with the families.
- Support the transition into a child's first educational placement i.e. pre‑school or nursery.
- Have a good working knowledge of the EHCP process and be confident to actively promote inclusive practice in all Early Years settings.
Enfield's Social Care Centre of Excellence confirms our commitment to creating and maintaining an environment for new and existing staff to be the best and deliver high quality social work to our most vulnerable children and young people. It brings our recruitment, professional development and support into the one portal for social care staff to see what we have to offer and how we are supporting them to continue to learn and develop on a professional basis. This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.
Benefits:
- An excellent pension through the (LGPS).
- Up to 32 days annual leave depending on grade and length of service.
- You will also get eight public holidays per year and an extra day off at Christmas.
- A blend of remote and office based working for most roles.
- Interest free season ticket loan repayable over three or ten months.
- Career development and learning experiences from a range of training courses and learning methods.
- Employee Assistance Programme to provide advice and counselling services. This is a free and confidential service available to staff and members of their family.
- Health and leisure discounts and tax-free bikes for work.
- 1 month paid sabbatical for Children's Social Workers.
Specialist Early Years Practitioner employer: Enfield Council
Contact Detail:
Enfield Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Early Years Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the early years sector, especially those who work with SEND. They might know about opportunities that aren't advertised yet or can give you a heads-up on what to expect in interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your experience with children with special needs. Include examples of tailored interventions you've implemented and any positive outcomes. This will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family, focusing on common questions related to SEND and early years practice. This will boost your confidence and help you articulate your passion for supporting children and families.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of exciting roles waiting for you, and applying directly gives you a better chance of being noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our supportive team!
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Early Years Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for supporting children with special needs shine through in your application. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in their lives and the lives of their families.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant qualifications and experience, especially your knowledge of working with young children with SEND. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your skills and how they relate to the role.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read and understand.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Enfield Council
✨Know Your SEND Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've used in the past to support children with SEND, as well as how you can tailor your approach to meet individual needs.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Specialist Early Years Practitioner, you'll need to communicate effectively with both children and their families. Prepare examples of how you've built supportive relationships in previous roles, and be ready to demonstrate your ability to listen and respond to parents' concerns.
✨Demonstrate Your Planning Skills
Think about how you would plan and deliver engaging activities for children aged 0-3 with SEND. Bring along ideas for developmentally appropriate learning activities and be prepared to discuss how you would assess their effectiveness and adapt them as needed.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving skills. Think about potential challenges you might face when working independently in family homes and how you would address them. This will show your ability to think on your feet and handle real-life situations.