Portage Transition Practitioner

Hampshire County Council; Andover; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in England is seeking a dedicated Transition Practitioner to join their Services for Young Children Inclusion Team. This role involves supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) as they transition into mainstream school. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in early years and SEND, excellent communication and organizational skills, and a willingness to work collaboratively across agencies. This position promotes inclusive practices and aims to enhance outcomes for children with additional needs.

Qualifications

• Strong background in early years and special educational needs required.
• Experience supporting families and young children is essential.
• Familiarity with the Portage model and early intervention approaches is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support children with SEND transitioning into mainstream school.
• Provide early interventions to prevent escalation of needs.
• Collaborate with multi-agency teams.

Skills

Experience in early years

Knowledge of Special Educational Needs

Communication skills

Organizational skills

IT skills

Education

Relevant qualifications in child development or SEND

Job description

Salary Range: £33,178 - £36,369 pro-rata, per annum

Work Location: Multiple locations across Hampshire (see advert for details)

Contract Type: Permanent (Term-Time only)

Closing Date: 5 January 2026

Interview Date: w/c 19 January 2026

The Role:

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Transition Practitioner to join Hampshire County Council’s Services for Young Children (SfYC) Inclusion Team, which is dedicated to improving outcomes for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We work in partnership with educational settings, families, and other agencies to ensure that children with SEND receive the support they need to thrive.

There are roles available in the following areas (you will be asked to state your preference on your application form):

• Test Valley (term-time only)
• Eastleigh and Winchester (term-time only)
• New Forest and South Test Valley (term-time only)
• East Hants (term-time only)
• Hart and Rushmoor (term-time only)
• Basingstoke (52 weeks per year)

What you’ll do:

This role is aimed at supporting children with SEND who are transitioning into Year R without an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The goal is to provide early interventions and services to prevent the escalation of needs and ensure a smooth transition into mainstream school. Supporting children to have their needs met in a fully inclusive environment.

What we’re looking for:

We’re looking for an experienced professional with a strong background in early years and special educational needs. You’ll have relevant qualifications (or be willing to work towards them), practical knowledge of child development and SEND strategies, and experience supporting families and young children. Excellent communication, organisational and IT skills are essential, along with the ability to work collaboratively with multi‑agency teams and manage challenging situations with empathy. Familiarity with the Portage model and early intervention approaches is desirable.

This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Please submit an enquiry using this form and include the location that you are enquiring about.

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.