Job responsibilities
Aim of the role
As a member of Universal 0-19 Service the postholder will act as champion and navigator to build on the local areas whole system approach to supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families in navigating the system pre- and post-diagnosis. The role will particularly focus on Social Communication Difference and Autism.
The postholder will be expected to have and share knowledge about the designated Boroughs Local Offer, developmental pathways including the Early Years inclusion, Health review and Targeted pathways such the Autism /ASD, Neuro pathways and the range of services available to support children and families with SEND as early as possible.
They will work closely with the Early Intervention Professionals in Universal 0-19 teams Children and Family Centres /Family Hubs/Specialist services/Early years/PVIs and taking an educative lead in offering support and guidance through training, coaching, and mentoring.
He/she will be the link practitioner across multi-disciplinary team meetings with agreed pathways, providing liaison and expertise to the group regarding 0-19 interventions, and navigation across the system and parents for support and access to support. This practitioner will be aligned to Special Schools in Tower Hamlets delivery of designated programme of care as stipulated by the Universal Healthy Child Programme delivery plan.
Caseload responsibility 40%
Key result areas
- In partnership with key stakeholders:
- Develop pathways to demonstrate interventions of support how Health Visiting/School Nursing and other Universal/Targeted services in Tower Hamlets identify and support children and young people with SEND, and their families, particularly Social Communication Difference and Autism.
- Develop the integrated navigation early years model for social communication difference and autism to help families access support pre/post diagnosis.
- Develop and support delivery of the universal/targeted training programme for social communication difference and autism for clinicians and professionals working in health, social care, education and third sector.
- Co-ordinate the Children and Family Centre/Family hubs offer for social communication difference and autism, including the provision of an initial appointment at the identification of need and ongoing support
- Work with partners to develop resources that help families access support
- Support the Social Communication Difference and Autism Family Support Governance Group and ensure work is progressed with input from stakeholders
- Ensure outputs from the programme are co-produced with local families and the wider health/social care/education/third sector workforce.
Main duties and responsibilities
Clinical
To act as a role model demonstrating high specialist knowledge in early years practice as the SEND lead, that is underpinned by theoretical knowledge and relevant practice experience.
1.Scope the current provision across the borough relating to early intervention and SEND and provide an analysis of any gaps in service or practice.
2.Support integrated working with variety of professionals and agencies as clinically appropriate.
3.Providing guidance to Universal and integrated partner team members on how to complete and vide high quality referrals to the Community Paediatric / ASDAS Service.
4.Supporting and advising members of the integrated team to help families in navigating the system pre- and post-diagnosis.
5.Working with identified Clinical Leads/Operational Leads/Leadership team members in the development of integrated pathways for Required point of contact e.g. the 2-2.5-year review
6.Lead representative of 0-19 Universal Services in Multi-disciplinary panels reviewing need and evaluating /aligning to best pathway.
7.Liaise with Universal and Family Hub partners health outcome and management plans as required and per pathways, SOPs.
8.Gather user feedback to continuously improve service delivery. This will involve organising and facilitating focus groups with families.
Quality
1.Provide coordination of and participate in relevant internal and external working groups and provide advice and support where requested.
2.Provide relevant and timely advice and reports on the function of the SEND Specialist role to Service Leads of the Early Years Integrated Team, for inclusion in service reports and contract meetings.
3.Work with members of the Early Years Integrated Team to investigate the causes of any variance in Early Years SEND activity and proactively contribute to the implementation of lessons learnt.
4.Proactively participate to identify risks and issues with regards to the functions of the integrated team to facilitate resolution and/or escalation processes.
5.Contribute to the investigation of complaints related to SEND and the Early Years Integrated Team.
6.Initiate and participate in evidence-based practice and audit, to ensure development of good practice, effective use of resources and maintenance of standards.
7.Actively engage with parents and service users to support continual Quality improvements in relation to SEND
8.Lead and participate in SEND related audit programmes.
Management and leadership
1.To establish and maintain a good working relationship with colleagues, the primary health care team and other health and social care providers, to provide a comprehensive service to clients
2.To provide facilitative and supportive leadership to colleagues within the 0-19 Service and Children & Family Centres.
3.To work on own initiative, planning, prioritising, and organising own workload and the work of others within area of managerial responsibility.
4.To initiate and take lead responsibility for service development activities.
5.To take an active role in service development activities, specifically related to SEND identifying areas for improvement and options for change.
6.To actively encourage feedback from service users and seek ways to ensure the service is responsive to client needs.
7.Work across the partnership-Universal and Targeted Health, Early Years, Schools etc to ensure effective communication of EHCPs, and an understanding of the required role to manage EHCPs with the 0-19 service.
8.Work with key partners in any innovation programmes relating to SEND.
Teaching and training
1.To act as an expert in SEND practice and a resource to the Early Years Integrated Team providing teaching as required to ensure evidence based standardised care.
2.To act as a coach / mentor to 0-19, Children & Family Centre/Family Hub/ Early Intervention Practitioners specifically building up a knowledge base to support families in navigating the SEND system.
3.Working with the Designated SEND Officer and key stakeholders, provide education, training and advice across the partnership through formal and informal training, advice, and joint initiatives to groups of professionals, non-health professionals and community groups working across Tower Hamlets, e.g., Health visitors, School Nurses, volunteers, and Children & Family Centre /family Hub staff.
4.To participate in and where appropriate identify and initiate research and audit to ensure the development of effective and innovative practice and maintenance of standards.
5.Deliver SEND related training.
6.Responsible for sharing insights and best practices at learning forums, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the 0-19 service.
