The starting salary for this role is £35,730 per annum based on a 36 hour working week.
We are excited to be hiring an Early Years SEND Advisor to join our fantastic Early Years SEND team based in Leatherhead. This role is open to hybrid working and as a team we split our time between working from home and collaborating together in the office. We welcome a discussion with the successful candidate about what hybrid working looks like for you.
Rewards and Benefits
- 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
- 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
About the Team
The Early Years SEND Team work within Surrey County Council's Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Directorate. The Team provides expert advice, guidance and support to Early Years providers around the SEND Code of Practice and the Surrey Graduated Response. By supporting the identification of need early, the team can work with the SENCo to ensure that appropriate support strategies are put in place which promote and ensure inclusion.
About the Role
As a SEND Advisor within the Early Years SEND Team you will provide support and challenge to a range of early years providers, including full day-care, pre-schools, maintained nurseries and childminders to promote equality and inclusion for children with additional needs and disabilities (AND).
You will provide advice, guidance and support to empower Early Years SENCOs and Practitioners to identify children's needs early, ensuring children are fully included and able to realise their potential and achieve their aspirations following Surrey's Graduated Response (in line with the SEN Code of Practice). You will deliver training, complete visits to settings, conduct child observations and offer advice and guidance to providers regarding strategies, SEND processes and funding. Your focus will be on improving early identification in the early years sector, ensuring children get their needs met at the earliest possible stage in life.
The Early Years SEND Team work with a range of multi-agency partners and stakeholders therefore you will support a coordinated approach to ensure children's needs are met at the earliest possible time and can access the EYFS curriculum.
SEND Advisors act as mentors and positive role models to settings in Surrey. You will be allocated a specific geographical area in the North West of Surrey. The North West quadrant covers three boroughs, which are Surrey Heath, Woking and Runnymede. However, Advisors are expected to travel county wide as and when needed to support the local authority to meet its statutory duties.
Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting for this position your CV and answers to the questions below will clearly evidence:
- Level 4 or above in Early Education and Childcare or a degree with relevant early years' experience
- Extensive experience of supporting children with additional needs in an early years setting or within early years support services
- Experience of leading and mentoring others
- Experience of completing child observations and providing feedback to parents and practitioners
- Strong knowledge and understanding of child development (birth to five), SEN Code of Practice and the Early Years Foundation Stage
Surrey has both urban and rural areas and for this role you will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.
As part of your application you will be asked to submit a CV and answer the following questions:
- Please tell us about your experience of working with children with additional needs between the age of 0-5 years?
- Please describe a time when you have worked with external agencies and services to support a child with additional needs? What was the outcome?
- Please provide an example of when you have led and supported others to implement inclusive practices within an early years setting. What impact did it have on the child/ren?
- Please provide an example of how you have used observations and assessment to identify a child had a developmental delay. What did you do with that information to further support the child?
- Please tell us about a time you have worked in a busy environment, what qualities and strategies did you used to succeed?
The job advert closes at 23:59 on Monday 7th October 2024 with interviews to follow on 15th & 16th October 2024.
An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.
Our Commitment
Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:
- The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
- The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form
Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.