Best Start Inclusion Practitioner (SEND)
2 days ago
Ryde
Join Us as a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner (SEND)\n Salary: £23,400 pro-rata (£26,000 FTE) Contract: Part Time, 2-Year Fixed-Term Contract Hours: 30 hours per week - working pattern to be agreed with your line manager Location: Hybrid, with travel to various services across the Isle of Wight Why Work With Us?\n Benefits (all pro-rata): \n\n • 30 days' annual leave, increasing to 35 days with length of service, plus bank holidays\n, • Company pension\n, • Life Assurance - 2x annual salary\n, • Employee Discount Scheme\n, • Medical Cash Plan\nAbout Polaris\n We are Polaris, one of the UK's leading communities of children's services providers. For over 30 years, we have passionately improved the lives of young people through our independent fostering and adoption agencies, leaving care services, education, and bespoke children's services contracts. \n Our nurturing community works collectively to support the very best outcomes for every child in our care. We are ambitious for our children, young people, families, and staff, and we believe in their futures. About PCS SENDIASS\n Polaris Children's Services (PCS) SENDIASS is part of our Children's Services branch, providing timely, confidential, and impartial information, advice, and support related to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Our mission is to empower children and young people with SEND and their families to play an active and informed role in their education. \n We are excited to extend our service by embedding a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner with SEND expertise into the Family Hub network on the Isle of Wight. This nationally recognized role is at the heart of the government's Family Hubs vision, offering a unique opportunity to help shape and strengthen the SEND family hub offer across the Isle of Wight. \n If you are passionate about inclusion, early intervention, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families, we would love to hear from you! What We’re Looking For\n We seek a motivated and compassionate practitioner committed to improving outcomes for children and families. You will have: \n\n • Experience working with children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families\n, • A strong understanding of child development, early years practice, and inclusive approaches\n, • Excellent partnership-working skills and experience in multi-agency environments\n, • A commitment to empowering families and ensuring they receive support as early as possible\n, • An NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification in early years, health, social care, family support, or a related field, or relevant equivalent experience\n, • Experience supporting children with SEND, disabilities, and/or additional needs\n, • Knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and its application within early years services\n, • A SEND law qualification is desirable, or a willingness to work towards relevant IPSEA SEN Law qualifications within your first year\n, • A proactive and organized approach, with a passion for improving outcomes for children\n, • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including public speaking\n, • Confidence using Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, as well as databases\n, • A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle\n, • The ability to work independently, manage a varied caseload, and use professional judgement within a multi-agency environment\nYour Responsibilities\n As the Best Start Inclusion Practitioner (SEND), you will play a vital role in ensuring that children with developmental needs, SEND, or additional needs receive the right support at the earliest opportunity. Early identification and intervention can significantly impact children's development, wellbeing, and long-term outcomes. \n In this role, you will: \n\n • Promote early identification and intervention for children with developmental needs, SEND, or additional needs\n, • Work directly with children and families to help them understand their child's development and navigate available services with confidence\n, • Facilitate group activities such as drop-in sessions and workshops\n, • Collaborate with professionals across health, education, SEND, social care, and community sectors\n, • Promote inclusive practice across Family Hubs and all related services and settings\n\n At Polaris Children's Services, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check, the cost of which will be met by Polaris Children's Services. \n We are an equal opportunities employer and positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. Join us in making a difference!