At a Glance
- Tasks: Support pre-school children with SEND through tailored learning programmes and family engagement.
- Company: Join Tameside Council, a passionate team dedicated to improving children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and help families thrive.
- Qualifications: Experience working with children and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 29356 - 35880 £ per year.
Contract Type: Fixed term contract (until 31st March 2029)
Contract Reason: Subject to funding
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.
The Role: 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.
About You: 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.
About Us: Our Heart of Support Practice Approach 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.
At Tameside, 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. Our employees’ skills, experience and knowledge are essential to our success along with their happiness, wellbeing, commitment, enthusiasm and motivation to be the best they can be. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. This position is subject to Enhanced with Barred List Disclosure Procedures. Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship. We are committed to developing a culture which respects individuals, appreciates difference and allows everyone regardless of background to reach their full potential. We are proud to be an accredited disability confident employer. Reasonable Adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the Job Role Criteria.
Early Years Support Portage Worker 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
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Tameside Council, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Early Years Support Portage Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Tameside Council. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Tameside Council. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tameside Council
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Tameside Council.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Early Years Support Portage Worker role at Tameside Council, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Tameside Council that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
