Children and Young People Practitioner

Nudge Education Limited; Watford; On-site

Job description

At Nudge Education and Nudge Minds, we know that every child is unique. That's why we focus on supporting one child at a time. We believe every child matters and deserves to have a life worth living.

Can you help us on our mission to ensure every child can live a Life Worth Living?

Who We Are

We are Nudge Education. Last year in the UK around 90,000 young people were persistently absent from education. This needs to change.

We exist to ensure that children who are chronically disengaged from education are never left behind and can receive life-changing support, guidance, and mentoring to help them thrive.

Who We Need

We are looking for compassionate and innovative Practitioners who are passionate about inclusion and can create a safe environment to inspire young people to see the value in education again. The key to what we do is focused upon creating a strong connection with our young people. We need people who don’t give up at the first hurdle; those who can think and deliver with inventive imagination. We need inspiring individuals who can broaden the horizons of our students and show them that life is worth living.

Our network of practitioners comes from many different backgrounds: Education, Academia, HealthCare, Uniformed Services, creative industries, sports clubs, and many more. This diversity helps us make the perfect match to our students that gives each intervention the best chance of success. It is not always the professional experience that makes you a good match; however, you may have an awareness of trauma or complex medical needs similar to those of our students, for example. Whether it is a professional or personal link, one thing is certain, the work you do with our young people will change the course of their life.

The Role

You will be required to work on a 1:1 basis (or 2:1 with support of an additional practitioner). Your work is unlikely to be within a traditional classroom setting; the world is our classroom and your knowledge of the local environment and community will be key to successful intervention design. You’ll be expected to think on your feet and adapt to whatever is thrown your way, always putting the needs of the student first. But you won’t be alone in this. We have a strong support network around you with peer support on hand, as well as regional hubs you can tap into for resources and advice. Working with Nudge Education will provide access to an environment where you can collaborate with a like-minded set of professionals along with the flexibility and resources you need to make a real difference to young lives.

The Practicalities

• You will be working on a flexible contract where various interventions will be offered based upon location and match with a student. In return, you will receive a competitive rate of £16.00 - £25.00 for lead roles plus expenses.
• You will need to be available during daytime hours, Monday-Friday.
• You will need to have consistent weekly availability to ensure stability in the session times for your students.

Key Duties And Responsibilities Of Our Education Expert

• Designing interventions that will support the academic engagement of students and working to meet a set of agreed provision targets.
• Reporting of progress, behavioural presentation & safeguarding concerns relating to your students.
• Carrying out risk assessments of environments and activities to ensure student safety.
• Occasional attendance at multi-agency meetings.
• Keeping up to date with trends in education and being aware of current official guidance.

Desirable qualifications and experience we’re looking for in our Education Expert:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Teaching Qualification (PTLLS or higher).
• Safeguarding qualification from last 12 months.
• Qualification in therapeutic discipline (counselling, mental health first aid, CBT for example).
• Training in de-escalation techniques within last 12 months (CPI, Team Teach or similar).
• Experience of teaching students with Special Educational Needs, Social, Emotional or Mental Health needs or other capacity (youth work, counselling or similar).
• Enhanced DBS certificate from last three months or registration on update service (must also have original certificate).

Desirable skills and abilities we’re looking for in our Education Expert:

• Ability to build relationships with young people who are facing crises.
• Intermediate IT skills.
• Specialist knowledge of learning disabilities and conditions such as ADHD, PDA, ASD.
• Awareness of National Curriculum and relevant key stages.
• Driving Licence and access to own vehicle.

Whilst relevant qualifications and experience are desirable, having the heart to work with these disengaged children is key.

We comply with strict safeguarding policies and undertake thorough background checks in accordance with Safer Recruitment Practice.

If you feel that you have the skills and experience required to become our Education Expert, please click ‘apply’ today and upon reviewing your application, if we think you would be a great fit for this role, you will be invited to attend an online group awareness session to find out more. We would love to hear from you!