Learning & Disabilities Practitioner

Do you have the passion and commitment to make a difference to a child with a disability and their family’s life?

We are currently recruiting for a Children with Disabilities Practitioner providing short breaks and learning opportunities to children with a disability or complex health needs age 0-18 years for the Children with disabilities commissioned projects across Lincolnshire.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an experienced and dedicated team of Practitioners working across Lincolnshire providing the Children with Disabilities Support Service project.

This role provides a short break for parents and carers with children and young people aged 0 to 18 years in Lincolnshire children centres, local schools and community venues. This role will support all children and young people with a disability or complex health needs, working together for all children, young people and families to be happy, healthy, safe and the best they can be.

To achieve this aim, the post holder will: provide children aged 0-18years with disabilities and their families high quality targeted early educational learning, targeted support that promotes self-confidence, and independence working as part of an integrated team.

The Early Years Alliance will provide you with exciting training and the opportunity to learn new skills and experiences to support your professional development.

Benefits

• A comprehensive induction and training support package will be provided to the successful candidate.
• Mileage at 35p per mile from an agreed base
• Access to our Employee Assistant Programme (EAP), which includes 24/7 helpline access, dedicated managers helpline, confidential counselling sessions delivered by accredited specialists, legal, debt and life management advice, discounts, and wellbeing content plus resources.

Main duties of the role

• To facilitate high-quality sessions for children with disabilities or complex health need in their early years up until they transition into full time education (Reception Year) while providing parents and caregivers a suitable break from their caring responsibilities.
• Plan and facilitate sessions that align to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum, with a focus on closing the attainment gap between CWD and their peers while ensuring children’s personal care, and where appropriate health needs are met.
• To facilitate high-quality community, youth groups and holiday sessions for children with disabilities or complex health needs from 5 to 18 years in local community venues while providing parents and caregivers a suitable break from their caring responsibilities.
• Plan and facilitate these groups and sessions providing a range of appropriate and suitable activities in a safe and welcoming environment, led by the preference and capability of the attending comparable with their peers that promote self confidence and independence whilst remaining suitable and safe for their abilities.
• Plan, assess and track and monitor children and young people’s progress, particularly in relation to relevant outcomes within their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), where applicable, and self confidence and independence using various tools such as Tapestry and Outcome Wheels.
• Support parents and caregivers to access advice and support from the Local Offer and promote peer group participation, learning and engagement encouraging mutual support networks to children, young people and their families.

Essential criteria

• NVQ Level 3 in Early Years/Childcare, NVQ 3 Youth/Play work or equivalent and/or have relevant experience of working with children with disabilities or complex needs in their early years or 5-18 years.
• Understanding and knowledge of meeting the individual needs of disabled or complex health needs children and young people.
• Proven effective communication skills – able to communicate effectively in person and in writing, with professionals, staff, early help and social care teams and other professional and organisations.
• Experience of working as a integrated team with other professionals such as social care, early help teams, educational providers, local voluntary organisations and other partners.

All successful applicants will be required to register and subscribe with the DBS Update Service (if you have not already done so) and undertake a new enhanced disclosure and barring check (even if you have an existing DBS Certificate).