24 month fixed term contract

About the Role

We're seeking a well-qualified early years practitioner to join the Warwickshire Early Years Service, to help us:

• Improve the quality of practice
• Raise educational standards
• Ensure effective safeguarding practice within the Early Years and Childcare arena
• Build confidence in the delivery of Early Help

This role is suitable for someone with extensive experience working with children aged from birth to five. Within  your career,  you will also have developed the knowledge and skills to support and develop others.

We are looking for candidates with a substantial and successful career history working at a senior level within the EYFS. (Schools or the Early Years and Childcare sector). Recent operational experience within the areas of SEND and Inclusion and Safeguarding would be a bonus.

The successful candidate will be well organised, have excellent interpersonal skills and be adept at building relationships, identifying areas for improvement and finding solutions.

If you thrive in a fast- paced and lively environment whilst having a strong commitment to achieving better outcomes for children, then we look forward to hearing from you.

What do we do ?

The Early Years Service covers a broad remit, it is a busy but exciting role, with competing demands on time.

We have a statutory duty to provide access to support, advice and training and to work directly with early years and childcare providers and Schools where Ofsted indicates improvement is needed. There are 693 early years and childcare providers in Warwickshire. 

We support the development of effective safeguarding practice and monitor compliance to the early years foundation stage statutory framework, stepping in to facilitate improvement when standards decline.

We  work closely with our colleagues in the Early Years & Childcare Entitlements, Sufficiency & Business Team, the Birth to five SEND team Early Help, Warwickshire Early Years Hub and Public Health to promote seamless support for children and families.

This post will provide additional capacity to our current team. The role operates county-wide and includes travel to schools, early years settings, wrap around provision, holiday clubs and childminders.

Whilst our office location is in the centre of Warwick, WCC invested in Microsoft technology in 2020 including the use of Surface Pros and MS365 suite which has enabled our workforce to seamlessly transition to community and homeworking. 

We have a whole council commitment to flexible working and employee wellbeing.  We nurture, support and challenge each other to achieve the best outcomes for all our children. 

Key Requirements

• Relevant Level 5 qualification or above as defined by the Early Years Qualification List issued by Department of Education.  Or: Holds EYP / EYT status  Or: Relevant related qualification, e.g NPCICL  
• GCSE grade C or equivalent in English and Mathematics
• Substantial, successful experience working at a senior level within the EYFS years (Schools or the Early Years and Childcare sector
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to relate to people in a wide range of situations, using coaching and mentoring skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge of what constitutes quality in the Early Years Foundation Stage
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills alongside personal resilience and a solution focussed and flexible approach.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently

Applicants must demonstrate how they meet all elements of the person specification and define their understanding of high-quality early years practice.

For further information please see the Job Description and Person Specification

Additional Information

This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure.

For information about the role please contact:  Amanda King  amandaking@warwickshire.gov.uk

Closing Date: 9th December 2021

Interview Date: w/c 13th December 2021

To apply for this vacancy please click on the 'Apply' button.
 
Our method of application is online, please note, CV’s should not be submitted unless asked to do so.

If you are unable to apply using the 'Apply' button please contact the Recruitment Centre on hrandpayroll@warwickshire.gov.uk including your contact details and any relevant screenshots.
 
You will be notified of our shortlisting decision via email, so please check your email on a regular basis after submitting your application.

As part of being a Disability Confident employer we guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post. By ‘minimum criteria’ we mean that you must provide us with evidence in your application form which demonstrates that you generally meet the level of competence required for each competence outlined in the person specification, as well as meeting any of the qualifications, skills or experience defined as essential in the person specification.

Should you require application forms in an alternative format / language or any adjustments to be made throughout the application process or upon appointment, please contact hrandpayroll@warwickshire.gov.uk  and we will make every effort to meet your specific requirements.

Warwickshire County Council (WCC) is committed to equality of opportunity for all employees and is keen to address areas of under representation in its workforce, this is because we really understand the importance of different voices, experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds within our workforce. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups. WCC has a number of staff network groups which provide peer support and safe spaces for employees who hold these and other identities. See more.