Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Key Information

Job Title

Weekend Lead SEND practitioner (Teaching Assistant or equivalent) for The Club.

Hours

17hrs per week (8.5hrs per day)

Contract

Permanent

Working Pattern

08.30-17.30

Salary

(dependent on qualifications and experience)

Location

15 Church Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1NR (setting will be moving to OL11 January 2026).

Job Summary

We are looking for a passionate and dedicated senior practitioner to join our friendly team at The Nursery. This is a unique role where you will manage and oversee our weekend respite sessions for children aged 4 to 12yrs, with complex health and / or learning disabilities.

As our weekend lead you will take the lead for planning, implementing and assessing learning opportunities and new experiences across the setting. You will be creative, adaptable and use your initiative to widen the child's exposure to learning through a play-based curriculum.

You will form part of the senior leadership team and take responsibility for supervising staff members, supporting and empowering them to progress in their skills, knowledge and understanding. As the person in charge, you will remain accountable for ensuring the setting operates smoothly and must have the ability to identify and escalate any concerns to the Nursery Manager and Director in an appropriate manner.

Main Duties

Care

To provide personal care to our children, including nappy care and assisting with toileting.
To assist our children with mealtimes and promoting self-feeding skills.
To develop close attachments and foster trust in the children in your care.
To provide comfort and reassurance to our children and be responsive.
To provide learning opportunities for our children and participate in the planning and implementation of appropriate activities.
To adapt learning opportunities and be inclusive to ensure that all children have fair and equal access to activities.
Monitoring children's progress, keeping records and observations and communicating progress to parents.
To celebrate all milestones / progress that each and every child makes.
To participate in multi-disciplinary meetings and contribute to the action plan / goals accordingly.
To contribute to the implementation of our setting's provision map.

To recognise the acutely unwell or deteriorating child and act accordingly, utilising skills obtained through paediatric first aid.

With support, monitor the health needs of our children to ensure all interventions given are effective and necessary and review accordingly.

To identify where additional referrals may be needed to improve the outcomes for our children and their families, for example to Early Help, Children's Social Care and Paediatricians.

Be accountable for own actions, ensuring adherence to professional code of conduct and/or legislation.

To be responsible for the safety and welfare of children, colleagues and yourself in accordance with professional standards and health and safety regulations.

To highlight and escalate any safeguarding and / or welfare concerns to the designated officer/persons as soon as possible.

Communications

To gain informed consent and negotiate agreed targets and goals with parents and families.

To communicate sensitively and effectively with children, families and carers regarding their care.

To communicate effectively with all other health sector and outside agencies to exchange and gather information and problem solve.

To attend and participate in multi-disciplinary meetings as required.
Ensure children get the best start in life by working in close partnership with parents/carers to develop independence, confidence and self-esteem, building children's resilience and well being

Policy and Service Development

To be familiar with and adhere to national and local guidelines.
To assist in the development and implementation of departmental policies, protocols and procedures in agreement with other staff members

To be aware of, comment on and/or actively participate in changes on policies, procedures or service developments.
To embrace and support line management and the company in making service improvements effective within the workplace.
To ensure attendance at all mandatory training and to attend regular team meetings with at least 75% attendance.

Leadership

To ensure all daily routines are adhered to and records kept up to date
To promote and role model planning in the moment and increase learning opportunities for children and staff.
To motivate and inspire others to ensure early years excellence, promoting awareness and cascading information regarding best practice and research.
To supervise staff and students in training and maintain a proactive and professional team.
Support staff development and work closely with other staff and professionals.
To conduct 1:1's and annual Staff Development and Performance Reviews.

To identify and manage conflict in your room appropriately and escalate to nursery manager if not resolved.
Report and escalate any concerns that arise via the appropriate pathways, whilst ensuring the health and safety of all involved remains the priority.
To maintain staffing levels, arranging cover when needed.

To plan and carry out activities in line with the children's abilities and interests.

Ensure assessments/evaluations are regularly completed.

Teaching and Training

To actively contribute to in-service training, peer group review and other internal learning opportunities.

To participate in training and development activities which are relevant to the job role.
To attend and reflect on regular safeguarding supervision and to access additional supervision as needed.
To assist in the development, use of and active promotion of care pathways and protocols within the local child development service.
To maintain own competency to practice through CPD activities and maintain a CPD portfolio which reflects personal development.
To prepare for and participate in Personal Development Reviews (PDR) and complete targets as discussed.

Data and Information Resources

To keep accurate records of assessments and care in accordance with company and professional standards.

To maintain confidentiality when accessing records in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

To adhere to company guidance on information governance including GDPR.
To have good IT skills including the ability to learn to use appropriate management and clinical recording systems.
To identify risks, complete risk assessment accordingly and review regularly.
Feedback any concerns regarding information governance and health and safety of the workplace to line manager.
Identify when guidance / support from HR is required and seek support from management.

The above duties and responsibilities listed are not exhaustive and we reserve the right to amend as and when required due to operational and organisational needs.

About Us

Here at The Nursery, we provide a specialist day care provision for children aged 0-7 years with complex medical and special educational needs Monday to Friday. We also trade as The Club, where we offer weekend respite sessions for children primarily aged 4 to 12years old.

Our mission is to provide high quality, safe and effective care that meets both the child's health and learning needs simultaneously

. We will achieve this by using child centred approaches, promoting individual learning styles and providing opportunities for all children to reach their optimal growth and development whilst being cared for in a happy and effective environment. The setting operates across three distinct areas (roughly based on age but predominantly based on developmental stage and needs) plus a dedicated sensory room. We have a core set of values and behaviours that all staff are expected to demonstrate: these are Inclusion, Compassion and Quality.

About You

The successful candidate for this role will have a relevant qualification from a reputable training provider. You will have experience of working with children that have complex health and / or learning needs and ideally, an understanding of SEND referral pathways. You must be willing to undertake further training specifically related to special educational needs and disabilities in children and any other identified learning needs.

You will demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills (including observation, listening and empathy skills) that champion the individual needs of children and their families. You will advocate for the child, ensure that child centred approaches are utilised and that their voice is heard. You will support your room staff with planning / implementing activities and offer ideas for upcoming themes. You work professionally and collaboratively and take the lead to ensure your room operates smoothly.

It is the intention of The Nursery that we will train and educate all members of our team to be confident and competent in assessing the development needs of our children, thus you will have a vital role in assisting the delivery and achievement of in-house competencies.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and we are committed to safeguarding and protecting the people within our care. Therefore, the candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and an offer of employment will be subject to successful clearance.

Our Offer

We believe that the success of The Nursery is wholly dependent on the skills, dedication and wellbeing of our workforce. This is reflected in the competitive salary and benefits package that is offered to all employees, aswell as the wider values and behaviours that underpin all of our policies and procedures. We are passionate about continuous learning and development for all staff, including the upkeep of essential clinical and professional skills.

Benefits:

Pension scheme via Nest (with an employer contribution of 8%).
Annual leave accrued at 8% per hour worked.
Employee Wellbeing & Assistance Programme via Zest.
DBS application paid for (candidate must then sign up to the DBS annual update service at 16 per year).
Uniform provided and replaced.
Hot beverages provided in staff room.
Refreshments provided for monthly staff meetings.
Company events, including team building day and festive celebrations.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications

Essential

Teaching Assistant qualification or equivalent.

Minimum 12months of leadership experience in a setting.

A current paediatric first aid and food hygiene certificate or willingness to undertake training.

Desirable

Additional training in relevant areas.

Experience

Essential

Minimum of 2 years' experience of working in a SEND setting.

Experience in safeguarding children and young people.

Ability to prioritise tasks/interventions as necessary whilst maintaining the safety of all children.

Ability to celebrate the progress and milestones of each and every child.

Experience of working with children with complex health and / or learning needs, including those diagnosed or suspected to have autism spectrum disorder.

Awareness and understanding of the impact that disability has on the child and family.

Desirable

Experience in emotional regulation or behaviour management strategies for children with SEND.

Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Experience of the EHCP process.

Skills

Essential

Sound knowledge and understanding of EYFS.

Willingness to undertake additional training in order to fulfil their role and remain compliant with professional standards.

Ability to teach and train other staff.

Ability to manage own time, prioritise tasks and delegate accordingly.

Ability to demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable

Basic understanding and awareness of non-verbal communication methods e.g. Makaton sign language, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS).

Previous moving and handling training.

Knowledge of the referral process to the child development service and other agencies.

If you wish to apply for the above position, please email us for an application form, OR send your CV with a covering letter regarding your suitability for the role, including any transferrable skills, knowledge and experience you have.

*Please note if you are offered a position and have not completed an application form, you will be asked to do so retrospectively for HR purposes.

Please note this advert will close once sufficient applications have been received.

Job Types: Permanent, Part-time

Pay: 12.50-16.50 per hour

Benefits:

Company events Company pension Health & wellbeing programme
Work Location: In person