Job Description

We're looking for a Special Teaching Assistant (Portage), Interested?

Do you want a role where you're recognised for what you do, given the opportunity to thrive and have the chance to be the best version of yourself? Interested in joining a great organisation with an employee offer and experience that rivals others? Are you looking for a new challenge? If so, please keep reading as you're just what we're looking for!

The team...

Education, Schools and Inclusion covers a wide range of areas including schools organisation and admissions, adult learning, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, 0-5 service, support services to schools for example school improvement, music service, sports partnership and governor support and the Early Years Childcare Service.





The Portage Team sit within the 0-5 Service alongside the Area SENCOs, Teaching and Learning Consultants, Early Years & Childcare and the Early Years Specialist Teaching Team. Portage is a home-based teaching service for pre-school children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families. The team support children and families living within the Gateshead area and staff working in pre-school and nursery settings.

About the role....

As a Special Teaching Assistant (Portage), you will work with pre-school children with profound and multiple learning difficulties or significant social interaction and communication difficulties that require a multi-disciplinary, multi-sensory approach.




As part of the role, you will deliver personalised, play-based learning sessions tailored to each child's developmental needs. You will build strong, trusting relationships with families, empowering them to support their child's progress. You will also collaborate with other professionals, such as health visitors, early years practitioners, and SEND specialists, to ensure a coordinated approach. Additionally, you will contribute to planning, reviews, and assessments, maintaining accurate and reflective records.

A bit about Gateshead Council...

Gateshead is a constantly changing borough combining modern facilities with a fascinating heritage and the demand for our services continues to grow. We engage with many partners and contract a high number of services to deliver the best outcomes for our community. We're truly committed to providing our customers with the highest quality of service and we need like-minded people who can help us deliver a sector leading service. We need people who want to make a difference, who are talented, possess the right knowledge and skills and who want the chance to demonstrate how good they are.





People really are our greatest asset at Gateshead Council, and we value every employee. We encourage our people to think differently, do the right thing and be innovative.

What's in it for you? Well, there's so much on offer and here's just a few of the highlights!

You'll be paid a competitive salary 25,992 to 27.269 per annum + SSA allowance (pro rata to term time only). We'll help you save for your future with an outstanding employer contribution to your pension. A robust Workforce Development offer with opportunities for learning to progress your career and to enhance your knowledge in specific areas. You'll have access to great health and wellbeing support and ability to use our cycle to work scheme. Working with our partners, GLL you can also access discounted leisure facilities Gym and Leisure Centre Memberships | Better You'll have access to our new benefits platform VIVUP where you can get discounts and offers on online and high street shopping

It's time to apply!

We're delighted that you want to come and work with us. Please take a look at the full job profile via this link:

JOB PROFILE

. It's important that you read it in full and check that you meet the essential criteria, because when we start choosing people to come and meet us we'll be checking to ensure that they meet the essential criteria as set out in the job profile.





For an informal discussion or if you need any assistance, please contact Alison Blackbird, Lead Practitioner - alisonblackbird@gateshead.gov.uk





If successful, you will have to apply for an enhanced Disclosure.