Early Years SEND Advisor

The starting salary for this role is £32,798 per annum for working 36-hours per week.

We also have an 18 hour per week position available, the starting salary for this is £16,399 per annum.

We are looking for a dynamic, resilient and innovative individual to join our highly motivated and effective team. Our aim is to ensure there is a consistent inclusive offer across the county to young children with additional needs.

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 Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND).

You will provide advice, guidance and support to empower Early Years SENCOs and practitioners to identify children's needs early. You will ensure children are fully included and able to realise their potential and achieve their aspirations following a graduated approach in line with the SEN Code of practice. You will be expected to deliver training, complete visits to settings, conduct child observations and offer advice and guidance to providers regarding strategies, SEND processes and funding. You will be focusing 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 be expected to 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 geographic 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. The Early Years SEND Team focus on ensuring that there is sufficient expertise and experience amongst local early years providers to support children with additional needs.

About you

We are looking for someone who has the ability to work with a range of internal and external partners, such as those in education, health and social care. You will have experience of writing and delivering training and presentations, as well as leading and supporting others. In addition to this, you will have knowledge of child development (birth to five years).

In addition to the above, to be considered for interview, your application will evidence:

• Level 3 or above in Early Education and Childcare or a degree with relevant early years' experience,
• Experience of working with children with SEND in an early years setting or within early years support services,
• Experience of completing child observations and providing feedback to parents and practitioners,
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the SEN Code of Practice, Early Years Foundation Stage and Ofsted inspection framework,
• Sound knowledge of safeguarding procedures.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 18/06/23 with interviews to follow.

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.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click the apply online button below to submit.

Benefits

From flexible working to job sharing (where possible) we are committed to providing a healthy work life balance. A laptop and mobile will be supplied if applicable to your role. You will benefit from 26 days annual leave, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service, a generous local government salary related pension, as well as the option to join our car lease scheme. For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit the advert on the employer site.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications 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.