Job Introduction
We are looking for an experienced and knowledgeable Early Years Inclusion Outreach Officer to help early years providers develop high-quality, inclusive practice. This is an opportunity to use your SEND expertise to support settings across Portsmouth and help ensure that children receive the right support at the earliest opportunity.
About the service
Early Years Inclusion is part of Portsmouth City Council’s Early Years Service. The service works to improve outcomes for young children who have, or may be at risk of developing, special educational needs or disabilities. It supports early years settings to deliver high-quality, inclusive provision in partnership with parents, families, health professionals and other services
About the Role
Working as part of the Early Years Inclusion team and reporting to the Early Years Advisory Teacher Team, you will provide practical support, guidance and specialist advice to early years settings.
You will help providers strengthen their SEND practice through early identification, observation and assessment, planning for children’s progress and evaluating the impact of support. You will model appropriate strategies and interventions, helping practitioners translate professional recommendations into effective everyday practice.
You will work closely with early years providers, health visitors and other relevant partners to support the effective delivery of SEND outreach. You will also contribute to training delivered by the wider Early Years team and help settings develop their understanding of the Portsmouth Local Offer.
The role includes recording visits, preparing actions and guidance, collecting and submitting data, and keeping up to date with relevant SEND legislation and national and local developments
The ideal candidate
You will hold an NVQ Level 3 qualification in childcare, health and social care, or have equivalent relevant experience. You will have recent experience of working within an early years setting and a strong understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, children’s learning and development, the SEND Code of Practice and the role of the Early Years SENCo.
You will have experience of identifying and supporting children with a range of special educational needs and disabilities, including using observation and assessment to monitor progress. You will also understand the approaches, interventions and strategies that can be used to support individual children effectively.
You will be able to offer constructive support and challenge to early years providers, helping them ensure that their provision is inclusive and effective. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, as you will need to summarise visits, agree actions, provide clear guidance and produce reports and other documents.
You will be organised, able to manage competing priorities and confident working both independently and collaboratively. You will also need good IT skills, an understanding of safeguarding and child protection, and the ability to travel independently between settings and sites across Portsmouth
Please ensure that you read the full job profile attached for the details and expectations of this role, paying particular attention the section 'Who is the person' as you will need to refer to this when completing your Personal statement.
Working Arrangements: You will be required to work a minimum of 2 days in the office each week
About Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.
We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours.
Application process
We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered.
We strongly encourage candidates to add all Career and Education History to their application, as CVs are not reviewed as part of the shortlisting process.
As part of your application, we ask that you complete a personal statement, this statement is crucial and is where you must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal
We are committed to offering an interview to all those candidates that qualify under our corporate commitments and meet the minimum criteria, however, for roles that receive a large number of applications, we will select the candidates that best meet the minimum criteria.
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
If applying as a secondment you will need permission from your current line manager releasing you for this secondment. Please state you have this on your Personal statement
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.
Safeguarding
Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information.
