Team Manager - Early Years SEND

 
Role Purpose
 
·         To support the Head of School Effectiveness and Early Years in effective operation of the Local Authority’s duties and responsibilities in relation to children and young people from 0 – 5 years of age with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) within the framework of the Education Act 1996, the Children and Families Act 2014, the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice 2015, and related legislation and guidance.
·         Contribute to and promote the Local Authority’s SEND Strategy
·         Support the work of any Early Years Partnerships as may exist representing the Council and community as required
·         Line manage 2 FTE Early Years SEND Development Advisers and others as may be required
·         Manage, control/monitor and spend the Early Years Inclusion Fund (value up to £800,000) to targeted schools and settings.
·         Provide support and challenge to early years settings and schools, including childminders to meet the diverse needs of children in their care.
·         Support settings to meet the needs of children with SEN and disabilities as soon as possible through observational assessment, advice and support.
·         Prepare, collate and Disseminate high quality, inclusive practice across settings and schools.
·         Provide day to day support to practitioners and early years SENCos in the implementation of the Code of practice for Special educational needs.
·         Facilitate strong links between the school or setting, Early Years Assessment and Intervention Team, Health and Social services.
·         Support the successful inclusion and admission, of children with SEN and disabilities.
•    Delivering high quality training to teachers, practitioners and child minders to   
      support children with SEN or disabilities.
·         Providing a continuous SENCo training programme to facilitate a fully qualified SENCo in every early years setting.
·         Support schools and settings to implement the statutory requirements of the Code of Practice for SEN.
·         Promote effective communication with parents, ensuring a shared dialogue between professionals and parents. 
·         Providing guidance and support for referrals to additional or specialist services
·         Monitoring and reviewing children’s progress and supporting successful transitions between settings and schools.

 
Main Duties / Accountabilities
 
1.    To support and challenge colleagues with regard to approaches to inclusion and the requirements of the Education Act 1996, the Children and Families Act 2014, the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice 2015, and related legislation and guidance. 
2.    To manage the SEND Early Years’ Advisers to ensure their workload complies with statutory requirements, is of high quality and is completed with statutory timescales.
3.    To motivate, train, develop and performance manage staff to maintain an effective workforce capable of meeting its objectives.
4.    To support the Head of Service standards and effectiveness and Principal Educational Psychologist with Issues surrounding SEND.
5.    To work with colleagues to develop and support commissioning and contracting arrangements for pupils with EHCPs in the early years.
 
Selection Criteria - Knowledge, Skills and Experience
 
·         Extensive experience of supporting young children with special educational needs
·         Extensive knowledge of early childhood development
·         Experience of providing training
·         Experience of working with families 
·         Management skills
·         Enthusiasm to support children with special educational needs
·         Effective interpersonal and communication skills 
·         Effective verbal and written skills • Effective organisational skills
·         Ability to work on own initiative
·         Ability to work as a team
·         Flexible approach to working
·         Effective ‘human face’ approach whilst maintaining high standard of professionalism