Specialist Advisory Teachers – Early Years SEND (Autism & SLCN specialism)

About the role

Job Title: Specialist Advisory Teachers – Early Years SEND (Autism & SLCN specialism)
Salary: £31,650 to £49,084 pa (non fringe) or £33,075 to £50,471 pa (with fringe)* - Hertfordshire locally agreed Teachers Main and Upper Pay Ranges + SEN allowance
Hours: Full time (32.5 hours), term time only
Location: Based in Hemel Hempstead with travel across Watford Three Rivers and Hertsmere; or Stevenage with travel across East Herts, Broxbourne, Welwyn Hatfield
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Childrens Services

About the team

The Early Years Specialist Advisory Teachers work in quadrant teams alongside Early Years Inclusion Specialists, and Inclusion Development Officers. The teams are overseen by an EYs Lead Teachers under the direction of the County Lead for Early Years SEND.

The Early Years SEND Service supports and promotes the development of inclusive practice across schools and settings, ensuring all children and families have access to high quality provision, early intervention and accurate assessment of needs so that all children receive the support they need in order to thrive. The EYs SEND Team work collaboratively and flexibly with colleagues within HCC and local Partnerships, to ensure high quality support/advice is available to meet the needs of children in Early Years Settings.

About the role

Purpose of the Job

• To be a highly effective member of the Early Years SEND Team.

• To deliver an effective range of services designed to support equal access and meet the educational needs of children with SEND in Early Years maintained and PVI settings.

• To contribute to securing a consistent, coherent and rationale approach to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in line with Hertfordshire’s Special Educational Needs and Disability Strategy in order to raise standards and actively promote the development of inclusive practice in local schools/settings for children in Early Years.

• To ensure an effective co-production approach to offering support in the identification of needs and assessment of children.

• To offer high quality advice on the provision for children as defined by the DfE SEND Code of Practice.

• To actively promote the development of inclusive practice across schools/settings and contribute to the sharing of effective practice.

• To work collaboratively and flexibly with colleagues both within HCC and across Local Partnerships, to ensure high quality support/advice is available to meet the needs of children.

• To promote and pro-actively facilitate partnership working at an early stage to meet the needs of children with SEND enabling them to achieve their full potential.

• To actively participate in personal, and service professional development which will both enhance expertise and the ability of the post-holder and the effective work of the service.

All teachers work within the statutory conditions of employment set out in the current School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document. The duties and responsibilities listed below describe the post as it is at present. The post holder is expected to accept any reasonable alterations that may from time to time be necessary.

• To maintain up to date knowledge of latest research and developments in the areas of Early Years, specifically SEND, SLCN and autism.

• To carry a caseload offering effective high-quality advice and support to children, their families and settings.

• To model interventions, teaching approaches and strategies for staff in Early Years settings including Early Years Specialist Development Centre (class based) teachers and for parents/carers.

• To demonstrate the use of specific resources and facilitate the implementation of these in the setting.

• To support staff to identify long and short-term targets for children and facilitate effective planning to address these.

• To work with staff to develop individual support plans/provision maps/risk reduction plans where necessary.

• To promote and develop effective partnership working with Early Years settings, parents/carers and others who have day to day responsibility for the children on caseload.

• Regularly monitor and review advice provided, maintaining clear and accurate records in accordance with Service guidelines.

• To advise Early Years settings (and the local authority when necessary) on the appropriate access needs, possible adaptations and reasonable adjustments that are required to meet the child’s needs.

• To support Lead Teachers to develop, plan, deliver and evaluate training for Early Years settings, other colleagues and parents/carers.

• To undertake statutory work as directed by County Lead for Early Years SEND or Line Manager.

• To provide relevant information about individual children to support the EHCP application process and to support the preparation process for SEND Tribunals including attendance as a witness where appropriate.

• To liaise with other Specialist Teachers/Staff within SENDSAS to secure holistic and bespoke support for children where additional needs outside the Specialist Teacher’s expertise are identified.

• Support the Local Authority processes as required under the direction of the County Lead for Early Years SEND/Lead Teacher by attending various panels, meetings and reviews on behalf of the service.

• The post holder maybe expected to work flexibly across geographical areas within their specialism in order to meet service demands and ensure the needs of all children accessing the service are met.

• To undertake other duties consistent with the grade of the post as agreed with the Head of Service.

About you

You will have recent experience supporting children in early years settings or the Early Years Foundation Stage in schools or currently work in an advisory service. You also need a thorough knowledge and experience of implementing the SEND Code of Practice. You will have excellent interpersonal skills, work well within a team and be able to work to deadlines. Additional qualifications in SEND would be highly desirable.

Essential:

• Educated to degree level and hold Qualified Teacher Status.

• Minimum five years relevant and successful Early Years teaching experience.

• You will have recent classroom experience, practice knowledge for the specialism area or be centrally employed within an advisory service.

• Able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of relevant high-quality teaching and learning.

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of best practice in relation to meeting the needs of children with SEND in area of specialism.
 
• Ability to model excellent practice and lead by example.

• Be able to evaluate practice and evidence the impact of interventions.

• Ability to use data and performance measures to evaluate practice, evidence outcomes and identify areas for development.

• Commitment to promoting equal opportunities and diversity.

• Excellent communication and technology (ICT) skills.

• Ability to prioritise work within a multi-professional team reflecting service priorities.

• Able to travel independently – current driving licence.

Desirable:

• Hold relevant additional qualification in a specialist area e.g. Early Years SEND, Autism, SLCN, PNI, SpLD, National SENCO Award etc.

• Experience working in a variety of Early Years settings e.g PVI, maintained Nursery School, Primary School.

• Experience working in a specialist provision/resource hub/special school.

• Experience of creating and delivering training.

• Experienced in line management, coaching, mentoring or training colleagues.

This is an exciting time to join the Early Years SEND Team as we continue to evolve and develop our service to ensure we are delivering an effective and responsive offer. The role will provide excellent career development for those looking to develop their teaching skills in a specialist area. We can offer you a friendly, supportive working environment, a full induction and ongoing professional development in this role.
 

For an informal discussion, please contact Katie Dean - EYs Lead Teacher for EHBW&H on katie.dean@hertfordshire.gov.uk or
Debbi Watson - EYs Lead Teacher for WTR&H on Debbi.watson@hertfordshire.gov.uk 

Interview Date: w/c 13th January