Family Support Worker

35 hours per week, term time only plus five INSET days

This post will support outreach work for the school, supporting parents and carers in bridging gaps that may be present. To ensure that student and parent can work in partnership with the school, giving all students opportunities to reach their full potential, and access resources and services that may help.

The successful candidate will be hard working and committed, with the ability to inspire, motivate and encourage children with additional needs.

Newly opened in September 2023, Oak Tree School, based in Winnersh near Wokingham, is an exciting collaborative project which will provide a safe and happy learning environment for 150 learners from Year 1 to Year 13, with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for Autism Spectrum Conditions and associated complex needs, including Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN).

These children and young people have boundless potential so, at the heart of Oak Tree School’s provision, will be a rich and stimulating curriculum, specialist personal development education and targeted therapeutic programmes delivered by talented and specialist staff. 

The impetus for this project has been a partnership between Brighter Futures for Children, Reading Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council as part of their commitment to providing additional special school places for local children close to their own communities.  

Community, inclusion and respect are key Maiden Erlegh Trust values, and they underpin our vision for Oak Tree School. As the project progresses, we will continue to work with our partners and listen to parents and children to realise our vision. Only in this way can we meet the needs of every child and help each one to reach their potential. Linked to our community values, the school will also offer a range of outreach programmes to support SEND pupils in mainstream schools. 

We have developed a trust wide Special & AP Hub, providing opportunities to connect with staff members in our specialist settings, where we collaborate, learn and innovate together. The mission is to enhance the quality of education and support we provide to students with diverse needs. We encourage open communication, empathy, and respect, at all levels, as we believe that a supportive and inclusive atmosphere is essential for growth and development.  

About the Trust

Maiden Erlegh Trust is committed to developing a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative community of highly effective schools that deliver excellent education opportunities for the children and young people of the communities we serve.  Through our work we will ensure that our children are equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to deal with the demands of an ever-changing world. The Trust currently comprises eight schools in the local area, with a variety of settings including primary, secondary, special and a PRU.  As a Trust, we encourage professional development at all levels through the use of cross Trust networks to share best practice and ideas.  We also actively encourage the promotion of staff to different roles within the Trust and to different settings in line with their career aspirations.  Click Work @ Maiden Erlegh Trust to find out more information about why you should work for Maiden Erlegh Trust and to read testimonials from existing staff. 

Benefits

Further information about some of the staff benefits that Maiden Erlegh Trust offers its employees, can be found on our website.

Staff Wellbeing is very important to us.  As a staff member of Maiden Erlegh Trust these are just some of the examples of how we show our appreciation to staff. 

• We operate a system of ‘ME days’ allowing staff to request an additional day off per year to attend special events such as children’s sports days and graduations, family and friends' weddings. 
• CPD is available for all staff at all levels. 
• Free flu vaccinations are offered to all staff. 
• Free eye tests are provided for eligible staff. 
• Breakfast and lunch provided for staff regularly, including on many INSET days and as a thank you throughout the year. 

If you believe that this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and substantially contribute to an exciting future for our students, then you are encouraged to explore further by contacting recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for a more detailed discussion, if required. 

If you would like to have an informal chat with our hiring manager about this post, please email recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org 

Closing date: 9am, 29 November 2024.

Interviews: Date to be confirmed.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible as the Trust reserves the right to interview and appoint before the closing date.

We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.