Job Description

Join Us in Making a Real Difference

Do you dream of a job where you have the time, the resources and the support to deliver high-quality teaching to every child?

Are you looking for a new challenge outside of the traditional education system?

Do you want to inspire excellence and drive change?

This role will allow you to deliver gold standard, evidence-based interventions with the support, time and resources you need. 21 Together believe that every child deserves access to specialist support and care to achieve their best possible outcomes. We support children and young people from birth to 25, are we are looking for someone to join the secondary school and young adult provision as an

Inclusion Practitioner

. You will play a key role in creating and delivering our post-11 and post-19 education and intervention programmes; providing engaging educational and social opportunities for young people with Down's syndrome. You will also investigate and foster links across Kent to provide opportunities and pathways for our young people into successful adult life. This person must have a strong alignment with our mission and aims and be able to plan and deliver excellent interventions.

We invest in people and believe staff should have access to excellent training opportunities and the time and resources to fulfil their role. As the regional specialists in supporting and teaching children with Down's syndrome, you will become a valued and integral member of our team with the chance to make a real impact on the lives of children in Kent.

This role would suit someone who is inspired to lead change and improvement, has excellent people management skills and, most importantly, sees the potential in the growth of this exciting role.

What We Offer

A supportive, dedicated, and passionate team culture Opportunities for ongoing professional development Flexible working options (including some remote working) A chance to help shape a growing programme and make a lasting impact

Job Purpose

The Inclusion Practitioner will develop, coordinate, and deliver therapy and education-led intervention programs for children and young adults with Down's syndrome. The role will involve working with families, professionals, and schools to support inclusive learning, provide advice on SEND legislation (including EHCPs), and ensure successful educational outcomes. The practitioner will offer emotional and practical support to parents, helping them navigate the EHCP process, disability benefits, and ensuring inclusion in schools and colleges.

It is the nature of the post that tasks and responsibilities are, in many circumstances, unpredictable and varied. The post holder will therefore be expected to work in a flexible way.

Key Responsibilities

Intervention and Therapy Delivery

Plan and run intervention and therapy sessions for children and young adults with Down's syndrome, focusing on equipping participants with the skills and experiences needed to develop life and social competencies, to prepare for semi-independent or independent living, to navigate the world of education and work, and for the young people to understand the norms of appropriate behaviour in both formal and informal contexts.

Plan, create and maintain resources for these sessions. Track and report on progress, adjusting targets in collaboration with professionals like speech and language therapists.

Educational Settings and Professional Support

Visit schools and colleges to support educational staff in creating inclusive learning environments.

Provide training and advice on appropriate learning strategies and inclusion techniques for students with Down's syndrome. Liaise with schools and external professionals to ensure consistent support across educational settings.

Family and Community Support

Provide direct support to families and young people, helping them make informed decisions regarding their education and welfare.

Assist parents in navigating the EHCP process, preparing disability allowance and other forms, and understanding SEND law and rights. Offer person-centered advice and mediation between families, educational settings, work places and other agencies to ensure positive outcomes. Deliver workshops and resources for parents and professionals on relevant SEN issues, inclusion strategies, and available services.

Administrative and Case Management

Maintain accurate records for case management and program evaluation.

Report on service performance and progress for inspections. Collaborate with the wider team to ensure seamless support between families, schools, and external consultants.

Line Management

Provide day-to-day supervision and guidance to Group Leaders, Support Workers and Volunteers involved in intervention delivery.

Support the induction, training and professional development of team members, ensuring consistency and high standards of practice. Conduct regular check-ins and contribute to performance reviews, identifying strengths and areas for development within the team. Encourage reflective practice and continuous improvement, fostering collaborative and supportive working environments.

General Duties

Ensure compliance with safeguarding, confidentiality, and data protection policies. Promote equal access to learning opportunities for all children and young people. Participate in professional development activities and contribute to the continuous improvement of service delivery. Represent the organisation positively in the community through networking and promotion of services.

Person Specification

Essential

Qualified Teacher Status

Experience working with children and young people with Down's syndrome or special educational needs. Knowledge of SEN legislation, including the Children and Families Act 2014, and the SEN Code of Practice. Strong communication skills with both children and adults. Ability to plan and lead therapy or intervention sessions and monitor progress effectively. Experience in offering advice on EHCPs and related SEND support.

Desirable

Experience with augmentative communication systems (e.g., Makaton). Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, including therapists and educators. Additional training or experience in speech and language therapy or education.
This role combines hands-on therapeutic support for children, educational intervention, and comprehensive guidance for families and schools, ensuring holistic and inclusive support for those with Down's syndrome.

Location:

Central Maidstone (ME14 1HH) with some travel across Kent

Salary:

Band 5 31,101.81 - 38,228.98 Full Time Equivalent (FTE), depending on experience

Hours:

To be negotiated. Part-Time, Term-Time Annualised Hours (975 hours - 0.5 FTE)

Saturday working is MANDATORY.

Potential growth of hours with service provision

Hours will need to include:

09:00 - 16:00 : 6.5hrs x30 Saturdays (including 30min unpaid lunch) in SClub group with children aged 11-18 years 16:30 - 20:30: 4hrs x9 Saturdays in SClub+ group with young people from 19-25 years 8:30 - 14:30: 6hrs x9 weekdays (3 consecutive days during 3 half terms - Oct, Feb and May) SClub+ smiLE therapy sessions 50 hours for Speech Club support (3.5 consecutive days in April/August school holidays) Remainder of the hours used flexibly each week for other tasks, such as (but not limited to) planning, evaluation, CPD, team meetings, making links within the wider community, outreach work and reporting: Approx. 17hpw x40 weeks
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 31,101.81-38,228.98 per year

Experience:

working with children with special educational needs: 1 year (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Maidstone ME14 1HH