Portage Transition Practitioner

Hampshire County Council; England; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority council seeks a dedicated Transition Practitioner to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) transitioning into Year R. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in early years education and experience in SEND strategies. This role involves providing early interventions to ensure a smooth transition and working with families and multi-agency teams to support children's needs. Join us in making a positive impact on young children's lives in England.

Qualifications

• Strong background in early years education and special educational needs.
• Practical knowledge of child development and SEND strategies.
• Experience working with families and young children.

Responsibilities

• Support children with SEND transitioning into Year R.
• Ensure children receive early interventions to prevent escalation of needs.
• Work collaboratively with multi-agency teams.

Skills

Communication skills

Organisational skills

IT skills

Empathy

Education

Relevant qualifications in early years or SEND

Job description

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. If you are passionate about supporting children with SEND to have a successful start in school and have the skills and experience, we are looking for, we would love to hear from you.

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.