Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Early Years Practitioner

The closing date is 05 June 2025

Job summary

The Early Years team require a suitably qualified and experienced practitioner to support with care interventions for children and families. This is a permanent full time post (37.5 hours) to be worked Monday to Friday 0800-1600.

Base is Platt Bridge Health Centre but the postholder will be expected to travel across Trust daily so full driving licence and access to a vehicle with suitable business insurance will be essential. If you do not mention this in your supporting statement, you cannot be considered for the post.

  • The Health and Development Practitioner will assist in the identification of health and development needs
  • Participate in the delivery and evaluation of care interventions developed to meet those needs
  • The Health and Development Practitioner will have the necessary skills, experience and qualifications to work with children who have additional and special needs, who have development delays.
  • Participate in the delivery of training programmes to individual and/or groups of parents and carers including sleep, toileting, behaviour and Riding the Rapids
  • Support children and families who have additional and special needs who have social communication differences.

This vacancy may close early if sufficient applications are received.

Main duties of the job

Arrange and undertake advanced initial and review child health development assessments for children already identified with a development delay. These will take place in a variety of settings to suit the needs of the child, young person and family.

Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team: which includes parents and carers, to provide an assessment of child's development, difficulties and needs, contributing constructive and informed assessment information to team discussions/reviews.

Devise programmes of play goals and assessment in line with child's developmental status, providing modelling and coaching support for parents/ carers to implement at home.

Undertake selected home visits to families to provide extra specific support as part of a planned programme of care.

Provide appropriate, evidenced based advice to families, in a variety of settings, on a range of topics/issues associated with Special Education Needs and Disability.

About us

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'.

WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.

At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.

Details

Date posted

22 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

302-25-7194612CM

Job locations

Platt Bridge Health Centre

Rivington Way

Platt Bridge

WN2 5NG


Job description

Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

Arrange and undertake advanced initial and review child health development assessments for children already identified with a development delay. These will take place in a variety of settings to suit the needs of the child, young person and family.

Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team: which includes parents and carers, to provide an assessment of childs development, difficulties and needs, contributing constructive and informed assessment information to team discussions/reviews.

Devise programmes of play goals and assessment in line with childs developmental status, providing modelling and coaching support for parents/ carers to implement at home.

Undertake selected home visits to families to provide extra specific support as part of a planned programme of care.

Provide appropriate, evidenced based advice to families, in a variety of settings, on a range of topics/issues associated with Special Education Needs and Disability.

Provide appropriate advice to families, refer to other agencies and signpost families if appropriate.

Refer the child/families to other disciplines, professions, or agencies when appropriate to do so informing and discussing with the team leader.

Support the organisation and delivery of SEND drop-ins/ training workshops

Provide timely feedback to the Team Leader and/or Operational and Clinical manager when requested

Report to the appropriate service and inform the team leader when there are any concerns about a child (this includes environmental and safeguarding concerns etc.)

Adhere to Local Safeguarding policy and procedure to enable relevant referrals to be made to Childrens Social Care.

Have experience and knowledge of Specialist support and community-based services to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disability.

Awareness and understanding of WWL Trust guidance and policies to incorporate into practise

Organisation of work

Organise own workload effectively, ensuring a good use of time and an efficient and timely service to children young people and families.

Submit accurate performance data when requested

Leadership

Contribute to effective communications with patients, relatives and members of the Health and Development Team

Attend and participate in team and professional meetings.

Assist in induction of new staff within the skill-mix team.

Engage with and contribute to the development of the service.

Assist in research and audit projects as required.

Develop and maintain own clinical skills and knowledge using a competency framework to ensure effective care delivery.

Records management

Complete health records on paper or electronic, in compliance with WWL policy

Maintain accurate records and provide verbal and written reports of a childs development status.

Write details of a childs development status and progress and devise work sheets and care plans to support on the ongoing needs of the child.

Maintain strict confidentiality for all clients.

Maintain record keeping skills and knowledge by undertaking regular training.

Supervision and development

Attend for 1:1 supervision with the Team Leader.

Attend and partake in group clinical supervision.

Participate and engage with Personal Development Reviews identifying any training needs and ensuring they are met to maintain own clinical competence.

Acknowledge own limitations and work within the confines of the remit of Health and development Practitioner and the knowledge and skills framework relevant to client cohort.

Adhere to care pathways used with the service.

Attend relevant in-service training and other professional seminars, lectures, courses, and study days.

Complete mandatory training requirements as needed.

Assist in the education of learners.

This list of duties is not intended to be exhaustive, but indicates the main areas of work and may be subject to change after consultation with the post-holder to meet the changing needs of the organisation

Planning and Organisational Duties

Organise own workload effectively, ensuring a good use of time and an efficient and timely service to Children young people and families.

Submit accurate performance data monthly and in a timely manner.

Responsibility for Health & Safety

Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

Arrange and undertake advanced initial and review child health development assessments for children already identified with a development delay. These will take place in a variety of settings to suit the needs of the child, young person and family.

Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team: which includes parents and carers, to provide an assessment of childs development, difficulties and needs, contributing constructive and informed assessment information to team discussions/reviews.

Devise programmes of play goals and assessment in line with childs developmental status, providing modelling and coaching support for parents/ carers to implement at home.

Undertake selected home visits to families to provide extra specific support as part of a planned programme of care.

Provide appropriate, evidenced based advice to families, in a variety of settings, on a range of topics/issues associated with Special Education Needs and Disability.

Provide appropriate advice to families, refer to other agencies and signpost families if appropriate.

Refer the child/families to other disciplines, professions, or agencies when appropriate to do so informing and discussing with the team leader.

Support the organisation and delivery of SEND drop-ins/ training workshops

Provide timely feedback to the Team Leader and/or Operational and Clinical manager when requested

Report to the appropriate service and inform the team leader when there are any concerns about a child (this includes environmental and safeguarding concerns etc.)

Adhere to Local Safeguarding policy and procedure to enable relevant referrals to be made to Childrens Social Care.

Have experience and knowledge of Specialist support and community-based services to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disability.

Awareness and understanding of WWL Trust guidance and policies to incorporate into practise

Organisation of work

Organise own workload effectively, ensuring a good use of time and an efficient and timely service to children young people and families.

Submit accurate performance data when requested

Leadership

Contribute to effective communications with patients, relatives and members of the Health and Development Team

Attend and participate in team and professional meetings.

Assist in induction of new staff within the skill-mix team.

Engage with and contribute to the development of the service.

Assist in research and audit projects as required.

Develop and maintain own clinical skills and knowledge using a competency framework to ensure effective care delivery.

Records management

Complete health records on paper or electronic, in compliance with WWL policy

Maintain accurate records and provide verbal and written reports of a childs development status.

Write details of a childs development status and progress and devise work sheets and care plans to support on the ongoing needs of the child.

Maintain strict confidentiality for all clients.

Maintain record keeping skills and knowledge by undertaking regular training.

Supervision and development

Attend for 1:1 supervision with the Team Leader.

Attend and partake in group clinical supervision.

Participate and engage with Personal Development Reviews identifying any training needs and ensuring they are met to maintain own clinical competence.

Acknowledge own limitations and work within the confines of the remit of Health and development Practitioner and the knowledge and skills framework relevant to client cohort.

Adhere to care pathways used with the service.

Attend relevant in-service training and other professional seminars, lectures, courses, and study days.

Complete mandatory training requirements as needed.

Assist in the education of learners.

This list of duties is not intended to be exhaustive, but indicates the main areas of work and may be subject to change after consultation with the post-holder to meet the changing needs of the organisation

Planning and Organisational Duties

Organise own workload effectively, ensuring a good use of time and an efficient and timely service to Children young people and families.

Submit accurate performance data monthly and in a timely manner.

Responsibility for Health & Safety

Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NNEB or CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Childcare or BTEC National Diploma in Early Years (Nursery Nursing) Or NVQ Level 3 Early Years

Desirable

  • Teaching and/or presenting experience

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience working within a nursery setting
  • Significant recent experience working with children with SEND

Desirable

  • Care Planning for health needs- e.g. behaviour management and play skills
  • Working directly with parents either on a one to one or in a group setting
  • Recent community experience

Skills

Essential

  • The ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and develop a good working relationship with other agencies
  • Excellent Communication skills
  • Able to work on own initiative
  • Good organisational skills
  • Ability to plan own workload

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of child development and tools to assess.
  • Knowledge of play activities related to child development
  • Knowledge of Child Protection

Desirable

  • Knowledge of common health difficulties associated with SEND such as sleep, toileting etc.

Additional

Essential

  • Car driver with full licence and the use of own car with business insurance
  • Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation
  • Willingness to undertake continuous professional development
  • Ability to adopt a flexible approach to work
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NNEB or CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Childcare or BTEC National Diploma in Early Years (Nursery Nursing) Or NVQ Level 3 Early Years

Desirable

  • Teaching and/or presenting experience

Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience working within a nursery setting
  • Significant recent experience working with children with SEND

Desirable

  • Care Planning for health needs- e.g. behaviour management and play skills
  • Working directly with parents either on a one to one or in a group setting
  • Recent community experience

Skills

Essential

  • The ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and develop a good working relationship with other agencies
  • Excellent Communication skills
  • Able to work on own initiative
  • Good organisational skills
  • Ability to plan own workload

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of child development and tools to assess.
  • Knowledge of play activities related to child development
  • Knowledge of Child Protection

Desirable

  • Knowledge of common health difficulties associated with SEND such as sleep, toileting etc.

Additional

Essential

  • Car driver with full licence and the use of own car with business insurance
  • Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation
  • Willingness to undertake continuous professional development
  • Ability to adopt a flexible approach to work

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Platt Bridge Health Centre

Rivington Way

Platt Bridge

WN2 5NG


Employer's website

http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Platt Bridge Health Centre

Rivington Way

Platt Bridge

WN2 5NG


Employer's website

http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Early Years Practitioner

Lisa Barnett

lisa.barnett5@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

22 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

302-25-7194612CM

Job locations

Platt Bridge Health Centre

Rivington Way

Platt Bridge

WN2 5NG


Supporting documents

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