SEND Support Team Leader - Maternity Cover
Kids Planet provide the highest standard of nursery care and education in each of our settings within a unique environment in which children are actively encouraged to explore, learn and interact with others. We are looking for a highly dedicated professional with experience and passion for working with children with SEND to lead our internal SEND Specialist Support team and SENDCo network across the group.
Our SEND team work collaboratively across the group to raise awareness of the training and support available to support children and families. The ideal applicant will have a clear vision for how we can continue to drive the offering for children with SEND and extend our teams with CPD related to SEND practices.
Responsibilities will include but not be limited to the following:
*To oversee the day-to-day operation of the SEND policies and procedures across the group and to liaise with the Senior Childcare teams regarding support
*To co-ordinate support across Kids Planet in liaison with the senior management team to enhance our SEND offering.
*To liaise with senior management to co-ordinate appropriate training and focussed support from the SEND Team to enhance the teams CPD.
*To work in collaboration with senior management to evaluate and audit the SEND offering across regions and individual settings.
*Create a network with external agencies including the Local Authorities and relevant professionals
*Support Nursery SENDCos and team members to liaise with parents of children with additional needs to discuss any additional support for the individual child.
*Liaising with and advising Nursery SENDCos/team members to enhance their knowledge and support for children with additional needs.
*To liaise with the Training and Integrations Director to ensure specific training, induction, and evaluation of SEND knowledge and support across new settings and acquisitions.
*To lead the SEND Support team to co-ordinate and facilitate induction sessions for new Nursery SENDCos and specific training in relation to SEND for teams and SEND support practitioners.
*Support Settings to implement Kids Planet/local authority Individual Educational Plans in line with the Kids Planet Graduated Approach set out in the SEND Code of Practice.
*Support across Kids Planet to deliver appropriate training sessions to support SENDCo’s and the SEND support practitioners across Kids Planet
Experience and knowledge required includes:
*Extensive knowledge of legislation relating to children with Additional Learning Needs specifically in relation to the SEND Code of Practice.
*Excellent knowledge of child development and can work and communicate effectively with parents & other professionals.
*Proven experience in terms of leading, training and support teams regarding SEND in Early Years
*Knowledge of implementing strategies/provision to support children with SEND in Early Years
*Experience of applying for SEND Inclusion Funding and EHCPs
*Proven experience within a leadership and management position
The role is field based but will require extensive travel and on occasion, overnight stays away from home. The role holder is required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the business; this may include some evening or weekend work to support improvement, for example, to meet with teams in the evening.