Early Years SEND Advisor

The starting salary for this part-time, permanent position is 19,045 per annum based on an 18 hour working week, pro-rata to 38,090.

We are looking for a dynamic, resilient and innovative Early Years SEND Advisor to join our highly motivated and effective Early Years SEND Team based at Woodhatch Place in Reigate.

This role is open to hybrid working with the right balance. As a team we split our time between collaborating with colleagues in the office, working within the communities we serve, and working remotely, including from home. This can be discussed further at interview.

You will be allocated a geographical area within East Surrey. Advisors are expected to travel across the county as required to support the local authority in meeting its statutory duties and attending meetings.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service (pro rata for part-time hours) plus bank holidays
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents

About the Role

Our aim is to ensure a consistent and inclusive offer for young children with additional needs across Surrey.

As a SEND Advisor, you will provide support and challenge to a range of early years providers, including full day-care settings, pre-schools, maintained nursery schools and childminders, to promote equality, inclusion and positive outcomes for children with additional needs and disabilities (AND).

You will provide advice, guidance and support to empower Early Years SENCOs and practitioners to identify children's needs at the earliest opportunity. Working in line with Surrey's Graduated Response and the SEND Code of Practice, you will support settings to ensure children are fully included and able to achieve their potential.

Your key responsibilities as an Early Years SEND Advisor will include:

• Delivering training
• Undertaking visits to settings and conducting child observations
• Providing advice and guidance on inclusive strategies, SEND processes and funding
• Improving early identification across the early years sector, ensuring that children receive the right support at the earliest possible stage.
• Acting as a mentor and positive role model for early years providers across Surrey

The Early Years SEND Team works closely with a range of multi-agency partners and stakeholders. You will therefore play an important role in supporting a coordinated approach to meeting children's needs and enabling them to access the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum.

The Early Years SEND Team is committed to developing expertise and confidence within the early years sector, ensuring providers have the knowledge, skills and resources needed to support children with additional needs effectively.

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills:

• Level 4 qualification or above in Early Education and Childcare (with a full and relevant Level 3 early years qualification), or a degree with relevant early years' experience
• Extensive experience of supporting children with additional needs within an early years setting or early years support service
• Experience of leading, supporting and mentoring others
• Experience of undertaking child observations and providing clear verbal and written feedback to parents, carers and practitioners
• Strong knowledge and understanding of child development from birth to five years, the SEND Code of Practice, and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and answer the following 5 questions:

1. Please tell us about your experience of working with children with additional needs between the age of 0-5 years?
2. Please describe a time when you have worked with external agencies and services to support a child with additional needs? What was the outcome?
3. Please provide an example of when you have led and supported others to implement inclusive practices within an early years setting. What impact did it have on the child?
4. Please provide an example of how you used observations and assessment to identify a child had a developmental delay. What did you do with that information to further support the child?
5. Please tell us about a time when you worked in a busy environment. What qualities and strategies did you use to succeed?

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.

The role holder will need to have the willingness and ability to travel around the county to meet the demands of the role.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation and will move to new authorities in April 2027. This role is currently employed by Surrey County Council and will remain so until then. If you are employed by Surrey County Council on 1 April 2027, your employment will transfer under TUPE arrangements to one of the new councils, with your current terms and conditions protected.

The provisional allocation for this post is East Surrey Council, subject to final confirmation through the wider transition process later this year.

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum shortlisting criteria as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.