Job Details:
Job Reference: HCC621813
Salary Range: £32,149- £35,241 pro-rata, per annum (actual salary £16,074 - £17,620 per annum)
Work Location: Totton Hub, New Forest (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 18.5
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 3 August 2025
Interview Date: 20 August 2025
Make a difference to the lives of pre-school children with significant additional needs
We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Portage Inclusion Practitioner to join our team on a permanent basis. The successful candidate will ensure the delivery and development of an excellent Portage Service, providing specialist educational programs, instruction, help, and advice to families with pre-school children who have significant additional needs, including complex educational needs or challenging behaviour. This role involves working closely with early years education and childcare providers within the framework of the Services for Young Children (SfYC) Service Plan, and Children’s and Young Peoples Plan.
The Role:
Hampshire County Council’s Services for Young Children (SfYC) Inclusion Team is dedicated to improving outcomes for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We work in partnership with educational settings, families, and other agencies to ensure that children with SEND receive the support they need to thrive.
For over 40 years Portage has been providing a highly professional educational home visiting service for families of pre-school children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The positive outcomes for families and children make this area of work hugely rewarding.
What you’ll do:
You will use professional skills, knowledge and experience of child development to assess, set targets and promote the development of pre-school children with special educational needs and disabilities, through partnership with parents/carers and early years education and childcare practitioners. You will encourage parents/carers and early years education and childcare practitioners to develop their skills and strengths to meet children’s individual needs.
You will provide a home visiting service to parents/carers to support children identified as having additional needs at ‘SEN Support’ and an outreach service to early years education and childcare settings to support children identified as having additional needs at ‘SEN Support'.
What we’re looking for:
If you are passionate about inclusion, making a difference for children with SEND and have the experience and expertise to support parents/carers and early years practitioners, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Experienced in working with families and pre-school children, you will have an in-depth knowledge of child development in the early years and approaches to supporting vulnerable families, particularly children with SEND. You will be well organised and self-motivated. You will be a good listener and communicator; you will also have a tactful and sensitive approach.
Please complete the Application Form clearly stating how you meet all of the role requirements. CVs will not be considered.
Why join us?
Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. A modern, forward-looking local authority, it offers a pleasant, supportive, and collaborative working environment.
Hampshire County Council is also a flexible employer interested in making the most of your skills and offers a great work life balance.
You will receive a Comprehensive induction programme with all necessary training.
We offer a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace. We have created an environment that you can look forward to being a part of, where you are empowered to be your best and a workplace built on teamwork where people can grow and develop in their roles.
To find out more about what we offer please see our benefits package.
If you think you have what it takes to make a real difference in Hampshire, get in touch!
Travel Requirements:
You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight or other local authority, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.
Vetting Requirements:
This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:
Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.
We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.
