Portage, Quality and Inclusion Practitioner

Cheshire East Council; Middlewich; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

34 days annual leave

Flexi-time

Hybrid/remote working where possible

Salary sacrifice green car scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Employee assistance programme

Discounted gym membership

Job summary

Cheshire East Council is recruiting an experienced Early Years professional to join the Portage, Quality and Inclusion Practitioners (PQUIPs) in the Best Start in Life Portage, Quality and Inclusion team. You will support Early Years providers across Cheshire East to raise the quality of inclusive education and extend coverage to Reception classes.

You will hold a Level 3 childcare qualification, bring knowledge of EYFS and safeguarding, and contribute to universal and targeted support.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Level 3 full and relevant childcare qualification with evidence of continued professional development.
• Experience of teaching in Reception is desirable but not essential.
• Current and relevant knowledge of statutory EYFS frameworks and inclusion.
• Exceptional knowledge of safeguarding requirements within Early Years.

Responsibilities

• Work with Early Years providers across Cheshire East to enhance quality of education.
• Extend reach to Reception classes within schools from September.
• Provide universal and targeted support, including safeguarding and compliance.
• Offer training, networks and support planning for EYSENCOs, Leaders and EY Practitioners.

Education

Level 3 childcare qualification (full and relevant)

Job description

An exciting opportunity has become available to work within Best Start in Life Portage, Quality and Inclusion (PQuIP) Team within the Family Hubs. As a Portage, Quality and Inclusion Practitioner, you will work closely with Early Years providers across Cheshire East to ensure all children have access to high quality, inclusive early education. As we extend our reach to Reception classes within schools, we are seeking experienced Early Years professionals with a passion for improving outcomes for our youngest children, enabling them to achieve a good level of development at the end of their Early Years education.

This is a full-time position (37 hours) per week working Monday to Friday, working within one of the South localities.

About the role

The Cheshire East Portage, Quality and Inclusion Practitioners (PQUIPs) are a group of highly skilled Early Years professionals with SEND and Early Years expertise.

We provide support at a universal and targeted level for Early Years providers across Cheshire East to enhance the quality of early years education and improve outcomes for all children across the 0-5 age range, from September we are extending our reach to include schools with Reception classes.

Providers may be supported at a universal level through:

• Training and networks for EYSENCOs, Leaders and EY Practitioners

• Termly support planning meetings

• Early Years Area SENCO support

• Safeguarding and Compliance support

• Year-round contact

Providers may also be supported at a targeted level through:

• Pre and post OFSTED support

• Curriculum development and implementation

• SEND assessments and advice for individual children with high level / complex needs

• Bespoke advice and transition support

• Needs-led support tailored to improvement plans

About you

• You will be an experienced Early Years professional with a passion for inclusive practice
• You will hold a minimum of a level 3 full and relevant childcare qualification with evidence of continued professional development; experience of teaching in Reception is desirable but not essential
• You will be experienced and confident in identifying quality practice and next steps and have current and relevant knowledge of statutory frameworks relating to the EYFS and inclusion
• You will have exceptional knowledge of safeguarding requirements within Early Years and demonstrate a commitment to keeping children safe

To find out more about the essential and desirable criteria for the role please view the attached job description specification document.

In return we are able to offer:

• Enhanced annual leave- Start with an impressive34 days of annual leave(including bank holidays) from day one, and watch it grow to 39 days after just five years of service
• Purchase of annual leave –Want more time off? You can purchaseup to 10 extra daysof annual leave each year, giving you the flexibility to balance work and life just the way you want (Pro-rata for part-time staff)
• Flexible working pattern- Enjoy a37-hour standard full-time work weekwith the added perks of flexi-time and hybrid/remote working arrangements where possible. Your work-life balance just got a whole lot better
• Salary sacrifice green car scheme- Drive green and save green! Lease a brand-new electric or hybrid car through our salary sacrifice scheme.There’s no credit checks, no deposits, just significant savings and exclusive offers on a three-year lease
• White goods salary sacrifice scheme -Upgrade your home with ease. Purchase home and electronic items through our salary sacrifice scheme, spreading the cost of big-ticket purchases like appliances, computers, and tech gadgets directly from your salary
• Enhanced public pension-Secure your future with ourcareer average pension, where contributions are built at a rate of 1/49th of your yearly pensionable pay
• Cycle to work scheme -Save up to 25-39% on the retail price of bikes and safety equipment through Income Tax and National Insurance savings. Get fit and save money!
• Employee assistance programme- Access a completely free and confidential assistance service to help manage, reduce, and overcome life’s challenges, both at work and in your personal life
• Discounted gym membership -Stay active and healthy with corporate membership prices for Everybody Leisure, including:
  • Gym, Swim and Group Fitness at all 16 facilities
  • Off-Peak Racket Sports
  • Athletics Tracks
  • Sauna/Steam/Spa

Join us and experience a workplace that truly values and supports you!

Cheshire East is an amazing place to live and work. As one of the largest employers in the borough, we are able to offer you a wide range of challenging and rewarding career opportunities.

We are working for a brighter future - together and our commitment to you is that our workplace culture will provide a shared purpose, a well-led organisation with valued people succeeding together as one team and one council to deliver the best service for our customers and communities.

If you want to be part of our award-winning council and contribute to our ongoing success, have the flexibility and drive to enable us to innovate, are committed to working as part of a team and striving to deliver exceptional service wherever you can, we would especially like to hear from you.

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our local communities so that we can all work for a brighter future - together.