Early Intervention Practitioner (Team Leader)

Steps & Stages

Pay: Starting – Level 8 (£13.89 per hour) After IPE – Level 10 (£14.90 per hour)

Hours: – 24hrs per week Term-Time Only

Closing date: – Tuesday 6th May

Interviews – Week commencing 12th May

Application Form

Job Description

Equal Opportunities form

Overview

The Early Intervention Practitioner (Team Leader) is a role supporting families of children with disabilities and complex health needs – as part of our Steps & Stages programme. Nansa offers support to children and families across three separate areas of provision:

SENsational Families: SENsational families is a free service, thanks to support from the National Lottery Community Fund. Our experienced Family Support Advisors (FSAs) offer advice, guidance and support to parents and carers of children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) From birth to 24 years.

Sleep Service: Nansa’s Sleep Service aims to be there for families of children, with SEND, experiencing ongoing sleep difficulties; and is currently funded by the NHS Norfolk & Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB).

Steps & Stages Funded by Norfolk County Council and the NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, Steps & Stages offers specialist early interventions that promote the development of pre-school children, who have a range of special educational needs and disabilities. Sessions are holistically tailored to meet the specific needs of every child, and are provided, FREE, to families of children:

· with delayed development or motor learning difficulties,

· with confirmed or suspected Autism Spectrum Conditions,

· who require support with social interactions,

· who face developmental challenges relating to complex sensory needs and/or communication/engagement.

The Steps & Stages programme runs no less than 5 sessions weekly (during term-time). Children benefit from a structured but fun approach alongside other children who have similar challenges and experiences. They receive focused support through early intervention approaches that help build independence across all areas of development. Parents and carers benefit from learning strategies that can be used at home to meet the development needs of their individual child; they also form important connections with other families that provide long-term peer support

Role and Responsibilities

The Early Intervention Practitioner (Team Leader) will support the wider Steps & Stages team in ensuring their delivery meets the outcomes/aims agreed with our funders (NCC and ICB). Under the supervision of the Head of Service, they will be responsible for planning and leading intervention sessions, with full training provided in the various approaches used.

In order to evidence this impact, they will support the team with the tracking and recording of individual progress journeys (using software such as TAPESTRY), while also ensuring that progression is family/child led wherever practically possible. The Early Intervention Practitioner (Team Leader) must be flexible and able to adapt their delivery to suit the needs of every family.

The Early Intervention Practitioner (Team Leader), supported by the wider team, will coordinate the referral process, including initial point of contact with families; conducting child’s initial assessment; and providing informed input during team discussions to help determine the most suitable group placement, while recognising shared decision-making within the team. Tasks will also include managing administrative tasks related to admissions and maintaining clear and supportive communication with families on the waiting list. As we are often one of the first services families engage with on their SEND journey, it is essential that this role provides a welcoming, knowledgeable, and positive first point of contact.

Nansa’s Children and Family Services are FREE to those who access them; it is the responsibility of all members of the team to ensure that they effectively engage and build rapport with all families; providing a safe, welcoming, and non-judgemental space for children with varying needs and from all backgrounds. The Steps & Stages team, together, will ensure that all parents/carers who access their sessions receive

support that aims to ensure optimum life-chances and opportunities for their children in the future (and the wider family as a whole).

The Early Intervention Practitioner (Team Leader), under the supervision and direction of the Head of Service, will help to write reports that support each child’s development, including EHCP assessments, annual progress reports, and keyworker updates. To do this well, they need to be highly observant and have a strong understanding of child development. This helps ensure that reports reflect each child’s needs, progress, and next steps, and support good planning across teams.

The Early Intervention Practitioner (Team Leader) will report to the Head of Children and Family Services, attending group meetings and 1:1 supervision-discussions as required; sharing their ideas and concerns, thus helping to shape the new service development journey. The aim of a service development journey is to ensure we always continue to do what we do well, that we expand and provide new models of support where/when the need arises, and most paramount of all; that we (as a service) adapt and improve our approach wherever practically possible (and within the parameters of our funding).

The Early Intervention Practitioner (Team Leader) will work an Initial Period of Employment (IPE) lasting 9 months. At the end of the IPE there will be a review of pay and a further development plan will be agreed – the ideal candidate may have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and further their career into management.

Nansa Competencies:

commitment to respect and dignity
determination to make a difference
person centred empowerment
creativity and flexibility
continuous improvement
proactive teamwork and personal leadership
working in the wider context
commitment to respect and dignity

To Apply:

Complete the application and equal opportunities forms above and return to: HR@nansa.org.uk

Nansa is committed to the safeguarding of our beneficiaries and welfare of our staff, volunteers and partners. This post is subject to a satisfactory DBS check.

Nansa is committed to an inclusive working environment, promoting equal opportunities in employment however due to the nature of the work involved applicants must be 18 or over.

Nansa is a Data Controller, and complies with the principles of the 2018 General Data Protection Regulation. Your application form will be kept for six months whether you are successful or not then deleted or destroyed.

Nansa is a Disability Confident Employer.