Best Start Inclusion Practitioner SEND

Best Start Inclusion Practitioner (SEND) 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

Benefits – all pro-rata

30 days’ annual leave, increasing to 35 days with length of service, plus bank holidays Company pension Life Assurance – 2x annual salary Employee Discount Scheme Medical Cash Plan

About Us

We are Polaris, one of the UK’s leading communities of children’s services providers.

Within the community, we have independent fostering and adoption agencies that have been passionately improving the lives of young people for over 30 years, alongside leaving care services, education and bespoke children’s services contracts. Our nurturing community works collectively to support the very best outcomes for every child in our care. We’re ambitious for our children and young people, families and staff, and we believe in their futures.

PCS SENDIASS

Polaris Children’s Services (PCS) SENDIASS forms part of the Children’s Services branch of Polaris. PCS SENDIASS provides timely, confidential and impartial information, advice and support relating to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The aim of SENDIASS is to ensure that children and young people with SEND and their families are empowered to play an active and informed role in their education.

We are extending our service to embed a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner with SEND expertise into the Family Hub network on the Isle of Wight.

This nationally recognised role sits 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.

If you are passionate about inclusion, early intervention and making a meaningful difference to the lives of children and families, we would love to hear from you.

Requirements

We are looking for a motivated and compassionate practitioner who is committed to improving outcomes for children and families.

You will have:

Experience working with children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families A strong understanding of child development, early years practice and inclusive approaches Excellent partnership-working skills and experience of working effectively within multi-agency environments A commitment to empowering families and ensuring they receive support as early as possible An NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification in early years, health, social care, family support or a related field, or relevant equivalent experience Experience supporting children with SEND, disabilities and/or additional needs Knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and its application within early years services A SEND law qualification is desirable, or you must be willing to work towards relevant IPSEA SEN Law qualifications within your first year of employment A proactive and organised approach, with a passion for improving outcomes for children Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including public speaking Confidence using Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, as well as databases A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle The ability to work independently, manage a varied caseload and use professional judgement within a multi-agency environment