Job Description
NEED TO ADD IN TERM TIME SALARY AND ALLOWANCES ETC
Who we are & what we stand for
Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match.
We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time.
We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.
At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.
Help young children with additional needs build confidence, overcome barriers and thrive through specialist early years support.
The Early Years Assessment Provision is a specialist service supporting children aged 3-5 with complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Working in partnership with families, early years settings, schools and multi-disciplinary professionals, the team provides targeted assessment, intervention and support to help children overcome barriers to learning, build resilience and confidence, and develop the skills they need to succeed. Through a strong focus on inclusion and early intervention, the service helps children make positive progress and supports successful, sustainable reintegration into mainstream early years provision wherever appropriate.
Be part of a dedicated team delivering life-changing early intervention and supporting successful inclusion from the very start of a child's learning journey.
What you will get to do:
- Support children aged 3-5 with complex SEND needs to access learning, develop social and emotional skills, and achieve positive outcomes.
- Work closely with the Early Years Assessment Provision Teacher to deliver specialist learning plans, targeted interventions and therapeutic support programmes.
- Help children build confidence, resilience and independence by reducing barriers to learning through tailored support and intervention.
- Support children's academic progress and contribute to successful and sustainable reintegration into their host early years setting.
- Organise learning environments, resources and ICT equipment to ensure children can fully engage in learning activities that meet their individual needs.
- Deliver high-quality one-to-one and group support, providing constructive feedback on progress and achievement.
- Build effective relationships with children, families, host settings and colleagues to ensure coordinated and consistent support.
- Observe, monitor and contribute to the identification of children's needs, progress and developmental targets.
- Contribute to the wider work of the provision through training, professional development and adherence to local authority policies and procedures.
Support, nurture and inspire children with SEND to achieve their potential and flourish in mainstream education.
What you will bring:
- A full and relevant Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification, NNEB or equivalent, together with good literacy and numeracy skills and training in relevant Early Years and SEND approaches.
- Experience of working with young children, including children with additional needs and SEND, within an educational or early years environment.
- A good understanding of child development, early learning and the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.
- Experience of planning and delivering successful one-to-one and group interventions, using support plans to help children achieve identified targets.
- The ability to identify emerging needs, complete child-focused observations and monitor progress effectively.
- Experience of using positive behaviour support and de-escalation strategies, alongside targeted interventions to help children overcome barriers to learning.
- Strong communication, teamwork and organisational skills, with the ability to work independently, build positive relationships with families and professionals, and use ICT effectively to support learning
If Successful you will have to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure
What’s in it for you
- Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
- Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary – we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
- Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
- Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
- Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions – a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
- Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services – plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).
Our commitment to you
We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
How to apply
You can apply online using the apply now button below. Within the form, you’ll be asked for details about you, your career history, skills, experiences and qualifications.
We advise you to be as detailed and specific as possible, paying particular attention to any of the above which are relevant to the role to which you are applying.
If you have any questions about your application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our recruitment team via recruitment@gateshead.gov.uk
Please note: As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high-volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application.
Additionally, the Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.