Kids Planet provide the highest standard of nursery care and education in each of our 203 settings within a unique environment in which children are actively encouraged to explore, learn and interact with others.
We are looking for a highly dedicated professional with experience and passion for working with children with SEND to be part of our internal, NASEN 2022 Award winning team, of SEND Advisors and SENDCo network across the group.
This role is for 40 hours a week based at Kids Planet Head office but will be required to travel nationally to visit settings.
Our SEND team work collaboratively across the group to raise awareness and support children, parents and team to ensure Kids Planet are inclusive of all children's needs. The ideal applicant will have a clear vision for how we can continue to drive the offering for children with SEND and extend our teams with CPD related to SEND practices.
Responsibilities will include but not be limited to the following:
- To oversee the day to day operation of the SEND policies and procedures across the group and to liaise with the Senior Childcare teams regarding support
- To co-ordinate support across Kids Planet in liaison with the senior management team to enhance our SEND offering
- To liaise with senior management to co-ordinate appropriate training and focussed support from the SEND Team to enhance the teams CPD.
- To work collaboratively with the Academy to support the delivery of Level 3 SEND.
- To work in collaboration with senior management to evaluate and audit the SEND offering across regions and individual settings.
- Create a network with external agencies including the Local Authorities and relevant professionals
- Support Nursery SENDCos and team members to liaise with parents of children with additional needs to discuss any additional support for the individual child.
- Liaising with and advising Nursery SENDCos/team members to enhance their knowledge and support for children with additional needs.
- To liaise with the Director team to ensure specific training, induction, and evaluation of SEND knowledge and support across new settings and acquisitions.
- To co-ordinate and facilitate induction sessions for new Nursery SENDCos and specific training in relation to SEND for teams and SEND support practitioners.
- Support Settings to implement Kids Planet/local authority Individual Educational Plans in line with the Kids Planet Graduated Approach set out in the SEND Code of Practice.
Experience and knowledge required includes:
- Extensive knowledge of legislation relating to children with Additional Learning Needs specifically in relation to the SEND Code of Practice.
- Excellent knowledge of child development and can work and communicate effectively with parents and other professionals.
- Proven experience in terms of providing training and support teams regarding SEND in Early Years
- Knowledge of implementing strategies/provision to support children with SEND in Early Years
- Experience of applying for SEND Inclusion Funding and EHCPs
- Proven experience within a leadership position
The role is field-based and will require extensive travel and overnight stays away from home. The role holder is required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the business; this may include some evening or weekend work to support improvement, for example, to meet with teams in the evening.
This recruitment opportunity offers the successful candidate a competitive salary and pension whilst working within a small professional team.
Kids Planet is committed to equal opportunities for all. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our staff and children. Applications are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. In addition, Kids Planet recognises that Men are extremely poorly represented in the Early Years Industry making up just 3% of the total nationally and same proportion within Kids Planet. For 20201 we are proud to announce that we are working in collaboration with the Fatherhood Institute to combat this and actively encourage applications from men for our childcare role