At a Glance
- Tasks: Support pre-school children with SEND through tailored learning programmes and family engagement.
- Company: Join Tameside Council's dedicated Early Years Team making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive team environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on collaboration and innovation in children's services.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to empower children and families in your community.
- Qualifications: Passion for early years education and experience working with children with additional needs.
The predicted salary is between 26550 - 32450 £ per year.
Tameside Council is looking for a passionate and dedicated Portage Worker to join our Early Years Team and support the delivery of our Best Start in Life vision through our Family Hub offer. This specialist role works with pre-school children with SEND and developmental delays, providing early intervention and tailored support to help children develop, thrive and achieve their full potential. This is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive team and make a real difference to the lives of children and families. Your work will help strengthen family resilience, improve developmental outcomes and ensure children with additional needs receive the right support at the right time.
As a Portage Worker, you will work directly with families in their homes and communities, delivering personalised learning programmes, supporting parents to develop their children's skills through play, and helping children become ready for school. You will work closely with health, education and early help partners to provide coordinated support and promote inclusive opportunities for children and families.
At Tameside, we believe in:
- Compassion - understanding the lived experiences of children and families.
- Curiosity - asking questions that lead to deeper insight and better outcomes for children.
- Collaboration - working together across services to deliver joined-up support.
- Conversation - listening and engaging meaningfully with children, families and professionals.
- Courage - leading with courage, making bold and compassionate decisions that put children first.
We are committed to ensuring all our Citizens lead long, fulfilling and healthy lives. We are committed to supporting economic growth, providing high quality health and care services, protecting our most vulnerable and creating strong and supportive, self-sufficient communities. We recognise that our people drive our success and enable the organisation to deliver on its vision, purpose and priorities, and that our people are our most important resource and asset. Our values underpin our practice and behaviours, and are at the heart of everything that we do; and we understand that how we do things is just as important as what we do. We pride ourselves on living by our STRIVE values of Support, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Value Diversity and Engage.
Secondment Opportunity: Permanent employees are encouraged to apply and will be supported as part of our workforce development commitment.
Salary: Grade G. Scale 23 - £34,434 to Scale 28 - £39,152
Hours Per Week: 36
Base Location: South Family Hub, Old Road, Hyde, SK14 SQ4
Assessment Date: To be arranged.
Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and families? Do you bring compassion, curiosity, collaboration, conversation, and courage to your practice? If so, Tameside is looking for you.
Early Years Support Portage Worker in Ashton-under-Lyne employer: Tameside Council
Tameside Council is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where finance professionals can thrive and make a significant impact on the community. With a strong focus on employee development and a commitment to sustainable financial strategies, staff are encouraged to grow their skills while contributing to ambitious regeneration plans. The collaborative culture fosters innovation and provides exceptional visibility in decision-making, making it a rewarding place to work for those looking to lead in the public sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Years Support Portage Worker in Ashton-under-Lyne
✨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 Tameside Council.
✨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 Tameside Council!
✨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 Tameside Council, 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 Tameside Council 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 Early Years Support Portage Worker in Ashton-under-Lyne
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 Tameside Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Tameside Council! 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 Tameside Council
✨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.
