EYSEN Specialist Teacher

Salary details: £ - £

Make a difference from the very start

Derbyshire County Council’s Early Years Special Educational Needs (EYSEN) Service is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Specialist Teacher to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to improve inclusion and outcomes for young children with special educational needs and disabilities by working in partnership with families, early years settings and other professionals across Derbyshire.

You will provide specialist assessment, advice, modelling and support for children in Private, Voluntary and Independent early years settings and school based nurseries.  Through early identification, evidence-informed intervention and a graduated approach, you will help settings build their confidence and capacity to meet a wide range of needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a varied caseload of young children with significant and complex special educational needs and disabilities.
• Observe and assess children, identify strengths and barriers to participation, and agree clear outcomes with practitioners.
• Provide practical specialist advice, strategies, modelling and coaching to support inclusive practice and the assess–plan–do–review cycle.
• Work collaboratively with parents and carers, SENCOs, early years practitioners, health professionals, education colleagues and partner agencies.
• Support effective transitions into, between and from early years provision.
• Plan and deliver training, briefings and professional development for early years practitioners and other professionals.
• Maintain high-quality records, reports and advice in line with relevant legislation, guidance and council procedures.
• Contribute to service development, quality assurance and the delivery of local priorities for early identification, inclusion and improved outcomes.
• Represent the EYSEN Service and Derbyshire County Council at meetings, panels and multi-agency forums as required.

About you

You will be a qualified teacher with substantial experience of working in Early Years and supporting children with SEND.  You will have a strong understanding of child development and the Early Years Foundation Stage. Your practice will be underpinned by neuro-affirming and trauma-informed principles.  You will bring:

• Secure working knowledge of inclusive early years practice, the SEND Code of Practice and the graduated approach.
• Experience of assessing need, planning outcomes and implementing strategies for children with a range of significant or complex needs.
• The ability to translate specialist knowledge into clear, achievable advice for families and practitioners.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and collaborative working skills.
• Confidence in delivering training, coaching and professional challenge.
• Strong organisation, report-writing and caseload-management skills.
• A reflective, solution-focused approach and a commitment to continuing professional development.
• The flexibility and resilience to work independently across a large geographical area while contributing actively to a supportive team.
• The ability to travel across Derbyshire to meet the requirements of the role.

What we offer

• High-quality induction, professional supervision and opportunities for continuing professional development.
• Centrally Employed Teacher pay and conditions.
• Access to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, subject to eligibility.
• Derbyshire County Council employee benefits and wellbeing support.

Find out more and apply

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Samantha Cardwell on 01629 535507 or at Samantha.cardwell@derbyshire.gov.uk.

Closing date: 15 November 2026
Provisional Interview dates: 30 November and 1 December 2026

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Due to this post having access to children and/or vulnerable adults, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

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This role currently offers hybrid working options which will be subject to service needs, there'll be an opportunity to discuss working arrangements for this position at interview.

We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.