Early Years SEND Support Worker

The Methodist Church in Britain; London Borough of Southwark; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local government pension

Flexible working arrangements

Career development opportunities

Excellent annual leave

PD and training

Job summary

The Methodist Church in Britain is seeking an Early Years SEND Support Worker as part of the Experts at Hand team to provide hands-on support for young children with special educational needs. Travel to family homes, nurseries, schools and community settings supports a flexible, child-centred approach.

Experience with young children in early years, education, care or SEND settings is essential. The role emphasizes collaboration with teachers and other professionals to foster development and

Qualifications

• Experience working with young children in early years, education, care or SEND settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical, hands-on support to young children with SEND and their families so they can access support, opportunities and interventions
• Deliver targeted interventions with Early Years SEND Teachers and other professionals
• Model effective strategies and help children develop communication, social interaction, emotional regulation and independence
• Support parents to carry out strategies at home
• Work alongside nursery practitioners to adapt their approach to meet children's needs
• Identify children's strengths and the barriers to their participation
• Help ensure children receive support as early as possible
• Monitor children's welfare and wellbeing and follow safeguarding policies and procedures

Skills

Child development

Family-centred approach

Positive relationships

Communication

Adaptability

Independent yet collaborative

Job description

This Early Years SEND Support Worker post sits within Experts at Hand, a team in Oxfordshire's SEND Reform Programme that brings specialist staff together to offer joined-up help earlier. The role gives hands-on support to young children with special educational needs, building their communication, social interaction, emotional regulation and independence, and works alongside Early Years SEND Teachers. Visits span family homes, nurseries, schools and community settings, with the day varying by setting. Candidates need experience with young children in early years, education, care or SEND settings.

What the job involves

• Provide practical, hands-on support to young children with SEND and their families so they can access support, opportunities and interventions
• Deliver targeted interventions with Early Years SEND Teachers and other professionals
• Model effective strategies and help children develop communication, social interaction, emotional regulation and independence
• Support parents to carry out strategies at home
• Work alongside nursery practitioners to adapt their approach to meet children's needs
• Identify children's strengths and the barriers to their participation
• Help ensure children receive support as early as possible
• Monitor children's welfare and wellbeing and follow safeguarding policies and procedures

Experience

• Experience working with children in an early years, education, care or SEND environment

Skills & knowledge

• Understanding of child-centred and family-centred approaches
• Ability to build positive relationships quickly
• Effective communication with a wide range of people
• Ability to adapt approach to meet individual needs
• Patient, empathetic and organised
• Ability to work independently and contribute to a collaborative team

Nice to have

• Experience supporting children with SEND in early years, school or community settings
• Understanding of child development and early intervention
• Strong relationships with children, families and professionals
• Commitment to inclusion and helping children overcome barriers to learning and participation
• Motivation to make a meaningful difference every day

What’s offered

• Competitive salary
• Local government pension scheme
• Flexible working arrangements
• Open to flexi-time, part-time, job sharing and other flexible patterns
• Excellent annual leave entitlement
• Ongoing professional development opportunities