At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a team supporting children with SEND and complex needs.
- Company: Established local charity dedicated to helping children and young people.
- Benefits: Opportunity for career progression, supportive environment, and training.
- Other info: Join a passionate team and grow your career in children's services.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with children, Level 3 qualification in relevant field, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
We're recruiting for a well-established local charity supporting children and young people with SEND, disabilities and complex needs. They are looking for someone with the right experience, values and potential to take the next step into a role leading their children's service. You might be an experienced SEN Teaching Assistant, Support Worker, SEND Practitioner, Senior Support Worker or someone working within education or children's services who knows you're ready for more responsibility - if you’re working with children or young people with SEND and ready for your next career step, this could be an exciting opportunity to progress your career to the next level.
You'll work alongside an established Deputy Manager and the senior management team, taking responsibility for the day-to-day running and continued development of the children's service. The service is supported by a team of bank staff and volunteers, and you'll gradually develop your leadership experience while ensuring children and young people continue to receive safe, positive and person-centred support.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Helping to lead, support and develop a team of staff and volunteers
- Coordinating the day-to-day running of the children's service
- Ensuring appropriate staffing levels are maintained and supporting the management of staff rotas
- Helping staff and volunteers to access and complete appropriate training
- Supporting staff through regular communication, supervision and development
- Acting as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and ensuring safeguarding procedures are followed
- Ensuring children's individual needs, care plans, home circumstances and medication requirements are understood by the team
- Building positive relationships and maintaining regular communication with parents, families and carers
- Working with external professionals involved in supporting children and young people
- Helping children to participate in planning their activities wherever possible
- Supporting effective communication with children, including methods such as Makaton, PECS and assistive technology where appropriate
- Helping to maintain accurate records, including accident and incident reporting
- Supporting the review of policies, procedures and risk assessments
- Helping to ensure medication is administered and stored safely in accordance with procedures
- Contributing to the ongoing quality, compliance and development of the service
You'll also have the opportunity to develop your understanding of Ofsted requirements and regulatory standards, with the longer-term aim of taking greater responsibility in this area as your knowledge and experience develops.
Required Skills & Experience:
We're more interested in your potential and relevant experience than whether you've already held a management title. Ideally, you'll bring:
- Practical experience working with children or young people, preferably including SEND, disabilities or additional needs
- A relevant Level 3 or higher qualification in childcare, health & social care or a related field
- A good understanding of safeguarding and child protection
- Some experience of taking responsibility, supporting colleagues or demonstrating leadership potential
- An understanding of child development and individual needs
- Confidence communicating with children, parents, families and professionals
- Good organisation and the ability to prioritise effectively
- A calm, empathetic and practical approach
- The confidence to make decisions and solve problems
- A genuine interest in developing your career within children's services
- A driving licence and access to a vehicle for business use
Experience within an Ofsted-regulated environment would be useful, as would knowledge of complex behaviours, medication, epilepsy, PEG/pump feeding, Makaton or PECS, but you are not expected to arrive knowing everything. Previous management experience is not essential, but candidates will need to demonstrate the capability and aptitude to develop as a leader.
What matters most is that you understand the world of supporting children with additional needs, have a good grounding in safeguarding, can build strong relationships with children and families, and have the confidence and potential to lead and support a team. You'll be joining an established charity providing an important service to local children, young people and their families, with experienced colleagues around you as you develop.
Children's Services Lead – SEND in Newbury employer: Oakley Hill Careers
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children's Services Lead – SEND in Newbury
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Oakley Hill Careers.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Oakley Hill Careers.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Oakley Hill Careers.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Oakley Hill Careers. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Children's Services Lead – SEND in Newbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Oakley Hill Careers. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Children's Services Lead – SEND, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Oakley Hill Careers
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Oakley Hill Careers. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
