At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young children with SEND and their families to achieve positive outcomes.
- Company: Join Haringey Council, a vibrant community-focused organisation.
- Benefits: 31 days leave, hybrid working, health support, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience with SEND, strong communication skills, and a passion for child development.
The predicted salary is between 38256 - 39276 £ per year.
Contract Terms
- Starting salary: S01 (£38,256 – £39,276)
- Contract type: Permanent
- Hours per week: 36 per week, Hybrid
- Closing date: 30th August 2026
- Interviews: Week Commencing 21st September 2026
About Haringey
Haringey is a fantastic place to live and work – the world in one borough. A place brimming with creativity, personality, radicalism, and community. It is a place where we stand up for each other. A place that is proudly distinctive. We’ll be celebrating all this and more as the “rebel borough” when we are the 2027 London Borough of Culture. Our history champions change-makers and everyday rebels; revelling in our differences, battling discrimination, championing equality, and doing things our own way. Haringey’s people are a huge asset, with knowledge, expertise, and passion. Our staff members embody our organisational values: Caring, Creative, Courageous, Collaborative and Community-focused. These values keep us looking forward, ambitious for the future, and continuously striving to do our very best for all of our residents.
About the Role
As a Portage Visitor, you will play a vital role in supporting young children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families to achieve positive outcomes in the early years. You will work directly with families in their homes, delivering high-quality Portage support to children under five who meet Haringey’s criteria, helping them to learn, play and thrive together. You will build strong relationships with parents and carers, empowering them with the skills, confidence and knowledge to support their child’s development. The role involves assessing children’s needs, planning tailored interventions and maintaining accurate records of progress. Working collaboratively with a range of professionals, including health and education partners, you will contribute to a coordinated multi-agency approach and support smooth transitions into early years settings and schools. You will also help families connect with their local communities, promoting inclusion and participation.
About the Team
You will be part of Haringey’s Early Years Inclusion Team within Early Help, Prevention & SEND, a service dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families at the earliest stage. The team works closely with a wide network of partners including health professionals, early years providers, schools and voluntary organisations, ensuring families receive coordinated and holistic support. This is a collaborative and supportive environment where practitioners share expertise, contribute to service development and are committed to inclusive practice and safeguarding. You will have opportunities for ongoing professional development and training, enabling you to grow your skills and knowledge in SEND and early years practice.
About You
You will bring strong experience of working with young children with SEND and their families, alongside a solid understanding of child development and inclusive practice. You are a compassionate and flexible practitioner who can build meaningful relationships with families, supporting them both practically and emotionally. You are confident in assessing children’s needs, planning engaging developmental activities and working in partnership with parents to achieve positive outcomes. You will be an effective communicator, able to work collaboratively with a range of professionals and services, while also managing your own caseload independently. Strong organisational skills, the ability to maintain clear records and a commitment to safeguarding and equality are essential. Above all, you will be passionate about making a difference in the lives of young children and their families, supporting them to feel included, confident and connected within their communities.
Working for Haringey
At Haringey Council we are committed to creating a workplace culture where all our people feel valued, included, and able to be their best at work, and we recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce so welcome applications from all ethnicities and communities so that we continue to make a difference to our residents and community. Our benefits package includes a leave entitlement of 31 days + bank holidays, potential hybrid working opportunities, health and wellbeing support, a generous local government pension scheme and a range of discount schemes across leisure and culture that provide both financial and money-saving discounts.
Portage Visitor employer: London Borough of Haringey
The London Borough of Haringey is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values employee contributions and fosters professional growth. With a commitment to continuous improvement in housing services, employees benefit from meaningful work that directly impacts the community, alongside flexible hybrid working arrangements that promote a healthy work-life balance.
Contact Details:
London Borough of Haringey Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Portage Visitor
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at London Borough of Haringey.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from London Borough of Haringey!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like London Borough of Haringey, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at London Borough of Haringey or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Portage Visitor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to London Borough of Haringey:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough of Haringey! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Haringey
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
