Sensory Support Practitioner

Medirest Signature; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 28,000; Part time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team as a Sensory Support Practitioner, working primarily with deaf or visually impaired children and their families. You will play a vital role in ensuring effective communication and learning strategies that promote children's development. This permanent, part-time role offers the chance to make a real difference in the lives of children, backed by continuous support and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Access to continuing professional development

On-going mentoring and support

Up to 29 days annual leave entitlement, pro rata

Membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits

Performance-related pay progression

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Be willing to develop basic skills in BSL and Braille.
• Willingness to undertake BSL qualifications.
• Experience or understanding of supporting deaf or visually impaired children.

Responsibilities

• Work with children to understand their needs concerning hearing and vision.
• Plan and deliver interventions under the direction of a specialist teacher.
• Help families manage and use technology effectively.

Skills

Skilled communicator

Confident working with children

Understanding of language development

Job description

• Suffolk County Council, Suffolk, Countywide
• £27,711 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• 3 days per week, term time only
• Permanent

In the Sensory Service, every role offers the chance to create positive change. We're not just a local authority team; we're a group of dedicated individuals working together to improve lives across Suffolk. As our new Sensory Support Practitioner, you'll have the unique opportunity to see the direct impact of your work on the children and families we support. If you're passionate about making a real, tangible difference, in the lives of deaf or visually impaired children and their families, then join us and turn your passion into positive action.

Your role and responsibilities

In this role you will have the privilege of working with children alongside their families or setting staff, to ensure everyone understands the needs of the individual and how to help children make the most of their hearing and vision at all times. You will help families or setting staff make language and learning accessible.

You will:

• talk with families and setting staff about how to make learning and language accessible
• plan and deliver interventions or bespoke activities under the direction of the specialist teacher
• model strategies and support to school staff and parents
• help families or settings manage and use technology effectively.

You will need

• to be a skilled communicator
• to be confident in working with young children and babies in the home or in a setting
• have an understanding of language development in young children
• have or be willing to develop basic skills in BSL and Braille and be ready to learn about the specific needs of deaf or visually impaired children and how to support families. Training will be given
• a willingness to undertake BSL qualifications.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx) . If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

The Sensory service works closely with the wider teams within SES.

We have a large team of specialists who are highly committed to deaf children and children who are visually impaired and their families. We embrace our work with our many schools and education settings, from Early Years to Post 16, empowering them to work within their varied communities.

We are a friendly, energetic and committed team. We are supportive of each other and thrive on the difference we can make to children and young people and their families in our county.

We will offer you

• access to continuing professional development offered within Specialist Education Services
• on-going mentoring and support from colleagues within the Sensory service and the resource base Teachers of the Deaf.

Empowering Everyone

We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report (suffolk.gov.uk) .

For more information

Please contact Andrea Carron for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 07850217238 or emailing [e-mail]

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (docx)

Step 2 - Click Apply Now' to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload asupporting statementanswering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template .

1. Describe a situation where you were successful in supporting someone to change their practice, or act on your advice. How did you make it work?
2. Describe your experience of supporting children or young people who are d/Deaf or who have a visual impairment. What did your support look like on a day-to-day basis?
3. Describe a time when you worked as part of a team to support the language development and learning of a child with SEND. How did you contribute to the team's success?
4. In this role, you will be working closely with families in the home. What do you consider to be the greatest challenges of this type of work? Give examples of how you might manage or adapt to those challenges.

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format. If you would like an adjustment to this process due to a disability, please contact us at 03456 014412 or [e-mail]

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 23 June 2025

Promoted as JOTW (Job Of The Week) on Suffolk Jobs Direct

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk) .