Job Reference: HCC624612
Salary Range: £33,178 - £36,369 pro-rata, per annum
Work Location: Rookwood Centre, Eastleigh (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37, 29.6 or 18.5
Contract Type: Permanent or temporary until 31 March 2027
Closing Date: 6 September 2026
Interview Date: 17 September 2026
As a Portage Inclusion Practitioner, you will play a vital role in helping pre-school children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) achieve the best possible outcomes. Working in partnership with families and early years education and childcare providers, you'll deliver a specialist educational programme that provides practical advice, guidance and targeted support to help children develop, learn and thrive.
This is a rewarding and impactful role where you will champion inclusion from the earliest years. Through home visits, outreach support, training and partnership working, you will empower parents, carers and practitioners with the skills, knowledge and confidence to meet children's individual needs and help them reach their full potential.
- Assess the developmental needs of pre-school children with SEND, set tailored targets and deliver specialist support through home visits and outreach work.
- Work in partnership with families, early years providers and multi-agency professionals to coordinate effective, child-centred support.
- Coach, advise and support parents, carers and practitioners to develop strategies that promote children's learning, development and inclusion.
- Lead and contribute to transition planning to ensure children experience a smooth transition into school and access the help they need.
- Deliver training to parents, carers and professionals to increase understanding of SEND, child development and the portage approach.
- NVQ Level 4 (or equivalent) in Health, Education or Social Care, or experience working at this level, alongside SEND-related training.
- Experience supporting young children with SEND and working collaboratively with families and multi-disciplinary professionals.
- A strong understanding of early childhood development.
- Experience of developing and delivering training and facilitating support groups.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to challenge, influence and advocate, while managing sensitive and emotionally demanding situations.
- A compassionate, child-centred and proactive approach, with the ability to build positive relationships and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the Portage Inclusion Practitioner role, team and our values. The ‘About you’ section explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application.
- Make a meaningful difference to the lives of children with SEND and their families during the most important years of development.
- Be part of a collaborative and supportive team committed to inclusion and achieving the best outcomes for every child.
- Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
- Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here.
We have opportunities available on both a temporary and permanent basis. This includes one full-time temporary role until 31 March 2027 and two permanent part-time roles working either 29.6 or 18.5 hours per week. Please indicate your preferred option(s) when applying.
Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.
Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK.
Other job titles you may be searching for may include: Early Years SEND Practitioner, Early Years Inclusion Practitioner, SEND Practitioner, Portage Worker, Portage Home Visitor, Early Intervention Practitioner, Child Development Practitioner, Special Educational Needs Practitioner, Inclusion Support Practitioner.
You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.
Portage Inclusion Practitioner Candidate Pack
The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:
Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.
We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.
