SEND & Inclusion Lead Practitioner – Nursery – Welling

We are seeking an experienced, passionate, and dedicated SEND & Inclusion Lead Practitioner to join a supportive management team within a thriving early years setting in Welling, Kent.

This is an exciting leadership opportunity for a childcare professional with strong SEND experience and a commitment to inclusive practice. The successful candidate will lead and support practitioners in delivering high-quality care, targeted interventions, and inclusive learning opportunities for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The role combines SEND expertise, leadership responsibilities, safeguarding oversight, and staff development to ensure every child receives the support they need to thrive.

If you are passionate about inclusion, child development, and leading high-quality SEND practice, we would love to hear from you.

• Identify children with SEN through observation, assessment, and discussion with staff and parents.
•  Conduct or coordinate further assessments to determine specific needs.

• Develop and implement Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or Early Support Plans.
• Provide targeted support and interventions for children with SEN.
• Adapt activities and environments to meet the needs of SEN children.
• Complete necessary paperwork for EHCP Applications working closely with family and all professional involved  in the needs of the child.
• Support all SEN children through transitions to next school.
• Act as a designated key person for an allocated number of children and maintain their learning journeys.

• Monitor the progress of children with SEN and review the effectiveness of interventions.
• Update and adjust IEPs as needed, ensuring continuous progress towards goals.

•  Work closely with nursery staff to ensure they are aware of and understand the needs of SEN children.
•  Act as the main point of contact for parents/carers of children with SEN, providing regular updates and meetings and involving them in decision-making processes.
• Liaise with external professionals including the Waltham Forest Early Years Team, EDLA, OT, SALT, Paediatrician, SENDIASS, CAMHS, Case  Workers etc. Make appropriate referrals where needed in line with Waltham Forest Local Offer and to secure additional support and services.
• Provide guidance and support to staff in assisting those with SEN.

• To be fully competent in knowledge of SEN Code Of Practice (Jan 2015)
• Stay updated on best practices and legal requirements related to SEN.
• Provide guidance and training to nursery staff on SEN issues and inclusive practices.
• Commit to on-going personal learning and development and attend on and off-the-job training.

• Maintain accurate and confidential records of all children on register using Birth to 5 matters.
• Provide an Additional Support Plan with input from parents, for all children on register and monitor their  progress and review using Birth to 5 Matters.
• Ensure all documentation is up to date and complies with legal and nursery policies.
• Keep SENIF Register up to date and Complete Impact Statement termly.

• Ensure that the nursery’s SEN policy is adhered to and regularly reviewed.
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of all children in the nursery.
• Assist the Manager/Deputy Owner, in all health and safety issues within the nursery, ensuring compliance with  the nursery’s Health and Safety Policy and procedures at all times.

• Contribute to the strategic development of SEN policy and provision within the nursery.
• Foster an inclusive and supportive ethos with open and honest communication amongst all  employees within the nursery setting.
•  Assist the Manager in ensuring that staff adhere to the nursery’s long-term and medium-term operational plans, as well as meet Ofsted requirements, with a particular focus on SEN.
• To help ensure the provision is of the highest quality at all times and strives to attain the highest ratings such as OFSTED “outstanding”.
• To help ensure that staff adhere to nursery policies, objectives and code of conduct.
• Assist the Manager/Deputy Owner in responsibility for benchmarking
• Supporting the Manager/Deputy Owner to ensure that there is a yearly calendar of events.
• Proactively contribute to effective team working and be flexible within working practices of the setting; comply with reasonable requests to work outside of normal working hours, and undertake other duties where needed, such as domestic tasks, preparation of snacks, cleansing of equipment, etc.

• At least 2 years experience supporting children with additional needs within an Early Years setting.
• Strong knowledge of SEND practices and the EYFS framework.
• Leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and commitment to inclusive practice.

• Relevant SENCO training / qualifications.
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce or equivalent
• GCSE Maths / English at Grade C or above or Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths.

• Current Paediatric First Aid certification.
• Current Safeguarding certification.
• Current COSHH certification.
• Current Food and Hygiene certification.

• Commitment to continuous professional development.
• Physically able to carry out the requirements of the role.
• Flexibility to work various shifts as needed.
• Enhanced DBS on the update service (or willingness to apply for one)*.