Early Intervention and Play Leader (FTC)

Looking for a new challenge?

Sense has an exciting opportunity for you to join as an Early Intervention and Play Leader. This is a four-year fixed-term contract (FTC), working 22.5 hours per week. This role is hybrid and you will be working from the Belfast Hub office and throughout Northern Ireland.

As an Early intervention and Play leader you will ensure children and families get the best possible start! We support children with complex disabilities and their families with all aspects of development, including communication, interaction and play.

By providing information, guidance and support; along with delivering early year and play and stay sessions, developing activities and resources, and providing family events; the service will give families the skills, strategies and confidence to interact, build relationships and communicate with their child. It will enable children to have fun, be happy, thrive, learn and enjoy the moment.

Early Intervention and Play Leaders will work as part of Together Project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. They are responsible for providing direct support to children 0 – 8 years with complex disabilities and their families, in their own homes and out in the community including the Belfast Hub. You will develop and deliver sessions based on the specific needs of children and families, working individually with families or in groups.

We’re looking for applicants who have:

• A recognised Level 3 qualification in play work, childcare NVQ Level 3 or CACHE level 3 Diploma in Childcare or an equivalent NVQ level 3 qualification
• Experience of working with children and young people with disabilities in an education, health or social care setting.
• Proven experience of assessing and monitoring individual progress of children with complex disabilities, including maintaining clear and precise records of work.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures.

Your duties might include:

• To identify children and families within Northern Ireland that would benefit from early intervention and support.
• To provide a programme of activities for children including Play and Stay Groups at our Belfast Hub and locations throughout Northern Ireland.
• To maintain accurate and up to date records of contact and engagement; providing reports on outcomes and progress on a regular basis.
• To provide information and advice to families about the specific needs of their child.

Benefits

• 24 days of annual leave.
• Wisdom app - free access for all employees to mindfulness application
• Matched pension contributions up to 5%.
• Free life assurance policy.
• Cashback and discounts on high street brands (and 10% off at Sense charity shops!).
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Free ACCESS NI check if your role needs one.
• A £350 refer-a-friend scheme.
• Free access to over 100 online and face-to-face training courses, including the care certificate.
• Ongoing development opportunities.

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Sense are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer.

Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement.

To apply

Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your supporting statement to shortlist candidates for interview; in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly. We would recommend that you read the candidate guidelines, job description and person specification (found at the base of this advert) before applying.

Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time.

No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.

If you require any further assistance, please contact the Recruitment Team on 0121 415 6735 or [email protected]

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to an enhanced DBS check.

For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they're given the opportunity to realise their potential. We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values and belief that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. For more information please visit: https://www.sense.org.uk/about-us/equality-and-diversity/