At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with SEND and empower families to access vital services.
- Company: Join Polaris, a leading children's services provider dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, a pension scheme, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while working in a supportive community.
- Qualifications: Experience with SEND and a relevant qualification in early years or social care.
The predicted salary is between 23400 - 23400 £ per year.
Salary: £23,400 pro-rata (£26,000 FTE)
Contract: Part Time, 2-Year Fixed-Term Contract
Hours: 30 hours per week - working pattern to be agreed with your line manager
Location: Hybrid, with travel to various services across the Isle of Wight
Benefits - all pro-rata:
- 30 days' annual leave, increasing to 35 days with length of service, plus bank holidays
- Company pension
- Life Assurance - 2x annual salary
- Employee Discount Scheme
- Medical Cash Plan
About Us
We are Polaris, one of the UK's leading communities of children's services providers. Within the community, we have independent fostering and adoption agencies that have been passionately improving the lives of young people for over 30 years, alongside leaving care services, education and bespoke children's services contracts. Our nurturing community works collectively to support the very best outcomes for every child in our care. We're ambitious for our children and young people, families and staff, and we believe in their futures.
PCS SENDIASS
Polaris Children's Services (PCS) SENDIASS forms part of the Children's Services branch of Polaris. PCS SENDIASS provides timely, confidential and impartial information, advice and support relating to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The aim of SENDIASS is to ensure that children and young people with SEND and their families are empowered to play an active and informed role in their education.
We are extending our service to embed a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner with SEND expertise into the Family Hub network on the Isle of Wight. This nationally recognised role sits at the heart of the government's Family Hubs vision, offering a unique opportunity to help shape and strengthen the SEND family hub offer across the Isle of Wight. If you are passionate about inclusion, early intervention and making a meaningful difference to the lives of children and families, we would love to hear from you.
Requirements
We are looking for a motivated and compassionate practitioner who is committed to improving outcomes for children and families. You will have:
- Experience working with children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families
- A strong understanding of child development, early years practice and inclusive approaches
- Excellent partnership-working skills and experience of working effectively within multi-agency environments
- A commitment to empowering families and ensuring they receive support as early as possible
- An NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification in early years, health, social care, family support or a related field, or relevant equivalent experience
- Experience supporting children with SEND, disabilities and/or additional needs
- Knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and its application within early years services
- A SEND law qualification is desirable, or you must be willing to work towards relevant IPSEA SEN Law qualifications within your first year of employment
- A proactive and organised approach, with a passion for improving outcomes for children
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including public speaking
- Confidence using Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, as well as databases
- A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
- The ability to work independently, manage a varied caseload and use professional judgement within a multi-agency environment
Responsibilities
The Best Start Inclusion Practitioner (SEND) plays a vital role in ensuring children with developmental needs, SEND or additional needs receive the right support at the earliest opportunity. Early identification and intervention can have a significant impact on children's development, wellbeing and long-term outcomes. In this role, you will provide flexible, responsive and family-centred support, helping children thrive and empowering families to access services, navigate SEND processes and advocate effectively for their child's needs.
Based within Family Hubs across the Isle of Wight, with regular travel throughout the area, you will work in close partnership with Barnardo's and professionals across education, health, social care and SEND services to:
- Promote early identification and intervention for children with developmental needs, SEND or additional needs
- Work directly with children and families to help them understand their child's development and navigate available services with confidence
- Facilitate group activities such as drop-in sessions and workshops
- Work collaboratively with professionals across health, education, SEND, social care and community sectors
- Promote inclusive practice across Family Hubs and all related services and settings
Polaris Children's Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check, the cost of which will be met by Polaris Children's Services. Polaris Children's Services is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.
Best Start Inclusion Practitioner (SEND) in Ryde employer: Polaris Children
Polaris is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and nurturing work environment for SENDIASS Support Workers. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will benefit from extensive training opportunities, including the chance to achieve qualifications in SEND law. Our home-based role allows for flexibility while being part of a dedicated team that strives to empower children and families in Richmond and Kingston, making a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Best Start Inclusion Practitioner (SEND) in Ryde
✨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 Polaris Children.
✨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 Polaris Children!
✨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 Polaris Children, 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 Polaris Children 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 Best Start Inclusion Practitioner (SEND) in Ryde
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 Polaris Children:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Polaris Children! 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 Polaris Children
✨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.
