Location
Civic Centre, Merton and community-based working, Morden

Hours
Part Time - 21 hours per week

Salary
£38,256 - £39,276 per annum, pro rata

About the Role
We are seeking an enthusiastic, compassionate and skilled Portage Parenting Officer to join Merton's highly regarded Portage Service. This specialist early intervention service supports children from birth to three years old with significant additional needs and disabilities, helping them reach their full potential through play-based learning and family-centred support. You will work directly with families in their homes and community settings, delivering personalised intervention programmes, modelling effective strategies and supporting parents to develop the confidence and skills needed to promote their child's development.

Key responsibilities include delivering high-quality Portage support to children with SEND and developmental delay, working in partnership with parents and carers to enable them to support their child's learning and development, assessing children's progress and developing individual learning targets, and planning and delivering engaging, play-based activities tailored to children's individual needs both at home and within Children's Centres and Family Hubs. You will also support the delivery of Incredible Years Autism Spectrum and Language Delay programmes, facilitate parenting groups, work closely with health professionals, early years providers, SEND teams and other agencies to ensure a coordinated approach, maintain accurate records, contribute to reviews and transition planning, and support children and families to access local services that promote inclusion and positive outcomes.

This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference from the very start in the lives of children and families within a supportive and committed Early Years and SEND team.

Experience
Experience working with young children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families is essential. A sound understanding of child development and early intervention is required.

About you
You will be able to build positive, trusting relationships with parents and professionals, possess excellent communication, organisation and record-keeping skills, and be confident working both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications
You should hold a relevant qualification in childcare, education, SEND, health or a related field. Ideally, you will hold or be willing to undertake the National Portage Association Portage Workshop and accreditation training.