Portage Worker
About us
Hillingdon is London's second largest borough, with fantastic transport links with the A40, M25, the Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines all local to us, so you can travel to work with ease and boasting over 20 square miles of scenic countryside, consisting of canals, rivers, parks and woodland. We're also home to some of the world's most renowned brands such as Coca-Cola and United Biscuits.
With an ambitious strategy we pride ourselves on delivering services that improves the lives of all our residents, businesses and partners. Embarking on our journey of continuous improvement, we've set an agenda to ensure the provision of; safer communities, a thriving local economy, a greener more sustainable environment, whilst increasing our digital capabilities throughout the Borough.
Putting our residents first is at the heart of everything we do! We want talented individuals like you to share our aspirations for the borough, supporting us to deliver exceptional services for Hillingdon.
About the role
We are recruiting a Portage Worker to work within our Child and Family Development Service.
As part of the wider council offer for children with complex needs, our Portage Service provides a high quality, effective education support service for pre-school children and their families. As a Portage Worker, you will provide support and advice to families of children with complex needs, empowering parents and carers in developing their child's play and learning and to promote positive outcomes.
You will work with other professionals from Health, Social Care and SEND, and in partnership with the council's Children's Centres, to ensure Portage principles are applied and children receive the integrated support they require.
About you
You will be a knowledgeable, motivated Portage Home Visitor or be an early years professional who has knowledge and experience in supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities. You must be able to demonstrate a knowledge of:
- the principles of Portage and their application for children with complex needs
- safeguarding and child protection policy and practice
- the educational, developmental and health needs of children under five
- early support interventions used for children, young people and families
You will have a relevant qualification in Early Years education and care.
An understanding of the support needs of families and parents of children with complex needs, is vital to this role. You should also be able to demonstrate an understanding of the relevant policy, legislation and theory in relation to SEND.
You will need a positive and proactive approach to work and be able to handle complex and sensitive matters.
You will also be a competent ICT user, with experience of using management information systems and databases.
What we offer
- local government average salary pension scheme
- free parking (4 days a week) if based at the Civic Centre
- a 36-hour week for all full-time staff
- generous holiday entitlement: a minimum 25 days a year (plus bank holidays), rising to 28 days after five years' service. For more senior positions holiday entitlements can rise to a maximum of 36 days
- career breaks
- flexible working hours
- season ticket loan
- access to a Credit Union
- access to a wide range of training and courses
- discount on a variety of Adult Education courses run by the Council
- payment of professional fees where these are required
- discounts at council-owned leisure centres and swimming pools at Hillingdon (Uxbridge), Queensmead (South Ruislip), Highgrove (Ruislip) and Botwell Green (Hayes)
- cycle purchase scheme
- car sharing scheme
- 30% discount on green fees at council-owned golf courses
Additional information
