Early Years SEND Support Worker

As part of Oxfordshire's ambitious SEND Reform Programme, Experts at Hand brings together specialist professionals to provide earlier, more coordinated support for children, young people and families. Through closer partnership working and a focus on prevention and inclusion, we're transforming how support is delivered across Oxfordshire and creating opportunities for professionals to make an even greater impact

As an Early Years SEND Support Worker, you will work directly with young children with SEND and their families, helping them access the support, opportunities and interventions they need to thrive.

Working across family homes, early years settings, schools and community locations, you will provide practical, hands-on support that improves outcomes for children and builds confidence in the adults around them. You will work closely with Early Years SEND Teachers and other professionals to deliver targeted interventions, model effective strategies and help children develop communication, social interaction, emotional regulation and independence skills.

You will be alert and curious about the welfare and wellbeing of children and consistently follow safeguarding policies and procedures to protect children from harm.

No two days will be the same. One day you might be supporting parents to implement strategies at home, the next you could be working alongside practitioners in a nursery, helping them adapt their approach to better meet a child's needs.

You'll play an important role in identifying strengths, overcoming barriers to participation and ensuring that children receive support as early as possible. Through your work, you'll help create positive experiences for children and families at a crucial stage of development.

Most importantly, you'll be joining a team that believes every child deserves the opportunity to flourish, regardless of their starting point.

We're looking for someone who is passionate about improving outcomes for young children and committed to inclusive practice.

You will have experience working with children in an early years, education, care or SEND environment and understand the importance of child-centred and family-centred approaches. You'll be able to build positive relationships quickly, communicate effectively with a wide range of people and adapt your approach to meet individual needs.

You will be someone who is patient, empathetic and organised, with the confidence to work independently whilst contributing positively to a supportive and collaborative team.

We're particularly interested in hearing from candidates who:

Above all, you'll share our commitment to ensuring children and families receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place.

Rewards and benefits

At Oxfordshire County Council, you'll be part of a team that is transforming how support is delivered for children and young people with SEND.

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a generous local government pension scheme, flexible working arrangements, excellent annual leave entitlement, ongoing professional development opportunities and the chance to be part of one of the most exciting areas of change within children's services.

Join us and help shape the future of SEND support in Oxfordshire.

Your office base may be subject to change as we are currently transitioning between temporary and permanent office locations due to the closure of County Hall. If this is applicable to you, you will be notified, but no reimbursement will apply in respect of travel.

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Oxfordshire County Council are 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 these commitments.

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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