Tower Hamlets GP Care Group

Specialist Practitioner SEND - 0-5 Service Tower Hamlets

The closing date is 05 September 2025

Job summary

We have vacancy for Specialist Practitioner (SEND).

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.

Main duties of the job

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.

About us

Tower Hamlets GP Care Group (The Care Group) was incorporated as a community interest company limited by shares in September 2014. Every general practice in Tower Hamlets owns one share of £1. The Care Group was formed to manage borough level contracts on behalf of the practices, deliver primary care led services and support general practices, and to be the provider voice of primary care in the wider health and social care system.

Read up more about Tower Hamlets GP Care Group, click here: https://www.gpcaregroup.org/

The Care Group is also a member of Tower Hamlets Together, a place-based integrated partnership, which includes Bart's Health, East London NHS Foundation Trust, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and the Council for Voluntary Services.

Click here to know more about Tower Hamlets Together partnership- https://www.towerhamletstogether.com/

The key priorities for the Care Group are:

Innovation and support for primary care

Being a great place to work

Integrating primary and community care

Providing of high-quality cost-effective care to local people

Influencing improvements in health outcomes

Details

Date posted

21 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£56,276 to £63,176 a year Including Inner HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

E0136-25-0068

Job locations

Island Health

145 East Ferry Road

London

E14 3BQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

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.

Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • A range of clinical skills including assessment of development, health & identification of vulnerable children and families. Ability to work autonomously, prioritise care & delegate work in a self-directed way.

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of key developments in Public Health and Childrens Services. Ability to understand & implement clinical governance principles & process including risk management, audit & public involvement.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse, Childrens Nurse, Midwife or Mental Health Nurse with current NMC registration, and post registration qualification: Specialist Community Public Health Nursing qualification (Health Visiting).

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of effective collaborative working with partnership organisations in the voluntary and statutory sector.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of specialist knowledge with reference to SEND/ASD in practice.
Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • A range of clinical skills including assessment of development, health & identification of vulnerable children and families. Ability to work autonomously, prioritise care & delegate work in a self-directed way.

Knowledge

Essential

  • Knowledge of key developments in Public Health and Childrens Services. Ability to understand & implement clinical governance principles & process including risk management, audit & public involvement.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Nurse, Childrens Nurse, Midwife or Mental Health Nurse with current NMC registration, and post registration qualification: Specialist Community Public Health Nursing qualification (Health Visiting).

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of effective collaborative working with partnership organisations in the voluntary and statutory sector.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of specialist knowledge with reference to SEND/ASD in practice.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Tower Hamlets GP Care Group

Address

Island Health

145 East Ferry Road

London

E14 3BQ


Employer's website

https://www.gpcaregroup.org/section/387/Home (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Tower Hamlets GP Care Group

Address

Island Health

145 East Ferry Road

London

E14 3BQ


Employer's website

https://www.gpcaregroup.org/section/387/Home (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Lead

Lola Oloko

lolaoloko@nhs.net

07714741802

Details

Date posted

21 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£56,276 to £63,176 a year Including Inner HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

E0136-25-0068

Job locations

Island Health

145 East Ferry Road

London

E14 3BQ


Supporting documents

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