Specialist Portage Practitioner

Job Information

Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government. To find out more about us

We are responsible for the entire range of children’s education, health and social care services in all three boroughs. We use a Signs of Safety practice model and approach which ensures the voice of the child is at the heart of everything we do. There’s never been a better time to join AfC, we are growing our workforce, implementing new flexible working arrangements and have increased our virtual wellbeing offer.

We have a fantastic opportunity to support and be part of our Portage Services team as a Specialist Portage Practitioner. You will be carrying out Portage home visits, be part of delivering group programmes and other services for pre-school children whose development is significantly delayed or with social communication needs.

**This is a part time position (18 hours a week). Salary advertised will be calculated pro-rata.**

About the role

The main duties as a Specialist Portage Practitioner will be to:

- Manage a caseload to provide motivating individualised Portage home visits
- Plan and lead group play and learning sessions with children and families
- Liaise with parents and carers and multidisciplinary teams, agencies and settings to ensure coordinated support on transition into mainstream or specialist education settings
- Make appropriate referrals to specialist SEND multidisciplinary professionals, and multi-agency services
- Support the Portage Service with the delivery of child development training

About you
- Full and relevant level 3 early years qualification, degree or an equivalent qualification
- Experience of working with children with special educational needs/disabilities, parents and carers
- Knowledgeable about child development theory and inclusive practice
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills/social skills
- Good organisational skills including time management and problem solving
- A team player who is collaborative, flexible, reflective and innovative
- Full clean driving licence or an ability to transport teaching resources around both boroughs

About our benefits

We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:

- 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years.
- Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
- Stable and supportive leadership
- Hybrid and mobile working (between home and work) with latest technology to facilitate this
- Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
- Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- A range of staff benefits and discounts
- An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway

To find out about all of the breadth of benefits of working for Achieving for Children For our social work offer

Important Information

**Right to work**: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance.

**Safeguarding**: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).