Portage Home Visitor

**The Opportunity** Salary**: NJC Grade 6 £25,119 - £26,421 per annum, pro rata £10,528 - £11,073

**Working Pattern**: Part-time, 18 hours per week. You must be available to work Mondays, with Thursday and Friday being desirable.
**Contract**: Permanent, Term Time Only 39 weeks
**Location**: Mid Sussex/Burgess Hill

**Please note**:

- You must be able to travel throughout the county including to locations that are not always accessible by public transport.
- You will be required to undertake home visits in other geographical areas including East Grinstead as service need requires.

**Closing Date**: 19 May 2024

**Interview Date**:22 May 2024

Portage is an educational home visiting service for pre-school children with significant support needs. This is an exciting opportunity to join our supportive team of home visitors.

As a Portage Home Visitor, you will provide a home teaching service to pre-school children with additional needs and support to their families.

In this role you will work in partnership with families, stakeholder agencies and colleagues in a collaborative joined-up approach. This role includes report-writing, setting accurate targets, and you will be expected to lift and carry toys and equipment when you visit families.

If you have experience or an understanding of the Portage Approach this would be beneficial in this role; however, formal Portage training will be provided. All work will be carried out under the supervision of a teacher (Portage Coordinator) and Educational Psychologist.

We are looking for someone who has practical experience of working with very young children, alongside knowledge of effective strategies used for working with children with additional support needs. Experience of working in Early Years or with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) is desirable but not essential.
**About Us**
The Portage Service aims to promote the development and learning of children in early years who have additional needs.

The role of Home Visitor Portage works in full partnership with parents, supporting the child and family’s participation and inclusion in the community.

For more information about West Sussex County Council, please visit our **WSCC About Us** page.
**About You**
We are looking for someone who is passionate about supporting children with additional needs, and who values the importance of early intervention and inclusion.

You will need to carry out visits to family homes, carrying resources to their homes and interact with children playing on the floor.

You will need emotional resilience in this role and be able to deal with highly sensitive situations.

If you have experience of working with children in pre-school and/or early years, with a range of special educational needs, we would love to hear from you.

For more information on the Key Skills as well as the Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the Job Description attached.
**Benefits**
For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our **Rewards and Benefits** page.

**Further Information**
The reference number for this role is CAFHE05138.

To apply, please follow the links below to upload your CV and Cover Letter.

**We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.**

Job Reference: CAFHE05138