At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children under 5 with potential barriers to learning through home visits.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on children's development in Herefordshire.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team committed to improving outcomes for families.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career in education.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Childcare qualification and experience with early years children with additional needs.
The predicted salary is between 28142 - 32061 € per year.
About The Role
Contract: 2 Years Fixed Term
Hours: 37
Salary: HC06 £28,142 - £32,061 per annum
Location: Widemarsh Children’s Centre, Hereford
Closing date: 02/06/2026
Interview date: 16/06/2026
The Role
As part of the Best Start In Life Initiative, we are looking for a Universal Portage Worker to work as part of our Portage Team in the Early Years SEND Inclusion Service. The role will be focussed on supporting children who may have potential barriers to their academic achievement. This is a full-time fixed term position. The Portage Worker will work closely with the Early SEND Lead to deliver Portage-based home visiting early intervention service to children under 5. Come and join us on our Restorative Journey of Improvement to gain the best for children and families in Herefordshire.
About You
- Up-to-date formal Childcare and Education qualification to Level 3
- Full UK Driving licence and ability to travel across Herefordshire
- Recent experience of supporting early years children with additional needs
- Practical knowledge of using graded resources to support early development
- Understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, the Equality Act (2010) and the SEND Code of Practice (2015)
- Ability to build strong relationships with early years settings
- Team player with good communication and interpersonal skills
We Offer
- A service where children’s learning and development is at the heart of everything we do
- A highly supportive and committed team
- Competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme.
- Salary range of HC06 £28,142 - £32,061 per annum
- Annual leave: 31 days' annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays.
- Additional 10 days per annum purchasable during request period
- Flexible working: potential for job-sharing, part-time hours and agile working
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
- Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements)
- Perks: access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits including savings, cash back and discounts
Reasonable Adjustments
Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team by email: enquiries@hoopleresourcing.co.uk.
Portage Worker – Eearly Years SEND Team employer: Hoople Ltd
Join our dedicated team at Widemarsh Children’s Centre, where we prioritise children's learning and development in a supportive and collaborative environment. We offer competitive salaries, generous annual leave, and flexible working options to ensure a healthy work-life balance, alongside opportunities for professional growth and access to a range of employee benefits. Be part of our Restorative Journey of Improvement and make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in Herefordshire.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Portage Worker – Eearly Years SEND Team
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the early years sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Portage Worker role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the Best Start In Life Initiative and the Early Years SEND Inclusion Service. Show us that you’re not just passionate about supporting children with additional needs, but that you also understand the specific goals and values of the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to your experience with early years children and how you’ve used graded resources in the past. We want to see your practical knowledge shine through!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us that you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Widemarsh Children’s Centre.
We think you need these skills to ace Portage Worker – Eearly Years SEND Team
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of a Portage Worker. We want to see how you can support children with additional needs, so don’t hold back on sharing relevant examples!
Showcase Your Qualifications:Don’t forget to mention your Level 3 Childcare and Education qualification! We’re looking for someone with the right credentials, so make it clear how your background fits the bill.
Demonstrate Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for working with early years children shine through in your application. We love candidates who are genuinely excited about making a difference in children's lives, so share your motivation and commitment!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hoople Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the Early Years Foundation Stage and the SEND Code of Practice. Being able to discuss these frameworks confidently will show that you're well-prepared and knowledgeable about the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work where you've supported children with additional needs. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your impact.
✨Build Rapport
Since this role involves working closely with families and children, practice building rapport during the interview. Be warm, approachable, and demonstrate your interpersonal skills by engaging with the interviewers as if they were parents or colleagues.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare a few insightful questions about the Portage Team and their approach to early intervention. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to their mission.
