Lead Practitioner - Behaviour & Inclusion Team

This role will cover our sites in Oxford, Rugby, Hinckley and Windsor

Witherslack Group is growing and we’re looking for more amazing people who want to change young lives for the better. In the last two years, we’ve opened 13 new schools and children’s homes, without compromising on our quality, and it’s all down to our incredible people and our drive for the highest standards. Over the years, we’ve acquired an outstanding reputation for excellent care and education. We’re determined to build on this – which is where you come in.

The role

Our highly regarded, knowledgeable and skilled Lead Practitioners offer strategic support to schools and children’s homes in all aspects of inclusion, enabling them to develop creative and sustainable ways of working that support placement stability and longevity, improving outcomes for children and young people. As Lead Practitioner within our Safeguarding, Behaviour & Inclusion (SB&I) Team you’ll work directly with staff, young people and their families, taking on individual cases to secure good long-term outcomes by focusing on improving placement stability and longevity. 

You will explore early flags and strategies to de-escalate situations through robust assessment and Behaviour Support Planning (BSP) and adopting inclusion principles. With your help, we’ll improve the success rate of placements, giving more children a promising future. 

You will make a vital difference to children’s lives and their futures. You will ensure that our schools and homes follow best practice, as well as our own strict guidelines and relevant legislation through Quality Assurance visits. 

So we can ensure every child has the very best protection and care, you will need to train and develop our people (including Senior Leadership Teams), as well as giving them up-to-date and comprehensive knowledge on Positive Behaviour Support and Inclusion strategies – exactly what we need to support our children’s wellbeing and improve their quality of life.

Your profile

Well versed in SEN education, Inclusion and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), you’ll be a professional who has extensive experience of working with challenging behaviour, ideally within a residential childcare or education setting however this is not essential. With experience managing diverse teams, you’ll be a natural at leading and managing others. Strong communication skills mean you can easily connect and inspire, you’ll have the ability to identify and deliver training to our staff and deal with a young people in a challenging situation.  

This role will see you visiting sites across the UK. You must therefore be flexible and ready to travel UK-wide. When you’re not on the move, you’ll have the opportunity to work from home as well as our South Cumbria Head Office.

For children with complex, challenging needs, the level of education and care must go above and beyond. That’s what drives us, here at Witherslack Group. With our high staff-to-child ratio and in-house clinical teams, we’re proud to have won a reputation for excellence. Our aspirational schools, homes and ethos help us achieve the best possible outcomes. In short, we’re enhancing life opportunities. 

Rewards

We know you’re going to do great things. We offer a salary and benefits package that’s among the best in our sector. You will receive a competitive salary (£40,000 - £50,000 base salary), 35 days’ holiday, contributory pension (matched up to 5%), Life insurance based on two times your annual base salary and a comprehensive induction, as well as extensive Group staff benefits, such as a Medicash Health Plan/Employee Assistance and Cycle to Work Scheme. Witherslack covers DBS Enhanced check costs to all new employees.  

For an informal discussion about the role please call Elaine Capstick – Inclusion Manager (SB&I) on 07469 155048 or 015395 66081.

The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.

Closing Date:      11th November 2019

Interviews:         Week commencing 18th November 2019 (to be confirmed)