Early Years Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Coordinator

Department: Children, Families and Learning   

Croydon is a distinctive and diverse place and is London's most populated borough. Croydon is about to undergo the biggest development and regeneration programme since the 1960s with £3bn of investment flowing into the borough over the next five years, building a positive future for residents and businesses alike.

We are passionate about the value of public services and our new headquarters has the customer at the heart of what we do. It brings together 75 services including council, Met Police, NHS, Jobcentre Plus, Croydon Credit Union and Citizens Advice Bureau under one roof, allowing us all to work together as one team.

This makes now an exciting time to join our team delivering vital services to over 360,000 residents.

Croydon has the largest population of children and young people under 18 in London and has over 100 Primary and Secondary schools with high levels of movement and demographic change. As part of this, the number of children with special educational needs is also expanding.

As a direct result of the Children and Families Act and the subsequent SEND Code of Practice (2014) Croydon's SEND team is extending its remit and expanding to become a 0-25 Service. Due to this expansion, we have a number of exciting new posts within the Early Years section of the Service. Applicants will need to be familiar with the current Special Educational Needs Code of Practice and have an extensive understanding of special educational needs. We are seeking individuals wanting to be part of a service whose overarching aim is to make a clear difference to outcomes for children.

You will offer all aspects of assessment, support and guidance for Early Years children with significant additional needs. We would particularly like to hear from individuals with specialist knowledge and experience in the areas of social communication difficulties/Autism and within a range of severe to profound learning difficulties and physical disabilities. Previous Portage training and delivery would be an advantage.

Closing date: 10th October 2014
Shortlisting and Interviews - w/c 27th October (provisional date)

To apply, please visit www.croydon.gov.uk/jobs

To apply: Please visit https://ig29.i-grasp.com/fe/tpl_croydon01.asp?s=4A515F4E5A565B1A&jobid=121007,6121359521&key=20416518&c=990225527621&pagestamp=secgvlhsndcthpqhhc

For an informal discussion regarding the posts please contact Debbie Degnan, Early Years SEND Manager on 0208 604 7319.

Croydon Council is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.