Best Start in Life Inclusion Practitioner

The Methodist Church in Britain; Coventry; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme with employer support

Agile working

Generous annual leave and holidays

Wellbeing and Volunteering day

Vivup discounts

Supportive management and wellbeing

Refer a Friend package

Job summary

Warwickshire County Council is recruiting five countywide Inclusion Practitioner posts within the Best Start in Life team. The role covers all five districts and boroughs on a fixed term to March 2028, with Family Hubs as the main base and independent travel essential.

You will spot developmental and additional needs in children aged 0 to 5, then work with families and early years settings to respond, using restorative, relationship-based practice within an integrated multi-agency team.

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification or above in SEND, Early Years, Education, Health, Social Care or a related field.
• Experience supporting babies and children aged 0 to 5 with identified, emerging or additional needs.
• Experience working collaboratively with families and professionals across education, health and social care.
• Planning and delivering targeted interventions and support programmes that improve outcomes.
• Coaching, mentoring, training or supporting colleagues to develop inclusive practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide targeted support and evidence-informed interventions to children and families.
• Support early identification of developmental needs, including speech, language and communication needs, neurodiversity and emerging SEND.
• Work alongside families to build on strengths, empower parents and carers, and navigate services and support pathways.
• Model inclusive practice and strengthen family confidence using a restorative, relationship-based approach.
• Work within an integrated multi-agency team to secure coordinated support at the earliest opportunity.
• Coach, model, advise and train colleagues and partners across the Best Start in Life network on inclusive practice, child development and neurodiversity.
• Contribute to developing and delivering Warwickshire's Best Start in Life Inclusion Offer.
• Work with Family Hubs, early years settings and partner agencies to deliver a consistent, inclusive offer.
• Manage a caseload allocated according to service need, demand and geography.

Skills

Child development

Communication skills

Attachment theory

Inclusive practice

Restorative practice

Interpersonal skills

Education

Level 3 qualification or above in SEND/Early Years/Education/Health/Social Care

Job description

One of five countywide Inclusion Practitioner posts in Warwickshire County Council's new Best Start in Life team, covering all five districts and boroughs on a fixed term to March 2028. The core of the work is spotting developmental and additional needs early in children aged 0 to 5, then helping families and early years settings respond. Each post has a primary locality, but practitioners cover the county as demand requires, with Family Hubs as the main base and independent travel essential.

What the job involves

• Provide targeted support and evidence-informed interventions to children and families
• Support early identification of developmental needs, including speech, language and communication needs, neurodiversity and emerging SEND
• Work alongside families to build on strengths, empower parents and carers, and navigate services and support pathways
• Model inclusive practice and strengthen family confidence using a restorative, relationship-based approach
• Work within an integrated multi-agency team to secure coordinated support at the earliest opportunity
• Coach, model, advise and train colleagues and partners across the Best Start in Life network on inclusive practice, child development and neurodiversity
• Contribute to developing and delivering Warwickshire's Best Start in Life Inclusion Offer
• Work with Family Hubs, early years settings and partner agencies to deliver a consistent, inclusive offer
• Manage a caseload allocated according to service need, demand and geography

What’s required

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification or above in SEND, Early Years, Education, Health, Social Care or a related field

Experience

• Supporting babies and children aged 0 to 5 with identified, emerging or additional needs
• Working collaboratively with families and professionals across education, health and social care
• Planning and delivering targeted interventions and support programmes that improve outcomes
• Coaching, mentoring, training or supporting colleagues to develop inclusive practice

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of child development, communication and language development, attachment theory and inclusive early years practice
• Knowledge of SEND legislation, the SEND Code of Practice and local SEND pathways
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build trusting relationships with children, families and partners
• Excellent organisation and ability to manage and prioritise a varied workload
• Competent ICT skills and experience maintaining accurate records, reports and case management information
• Commitment to restorative practice, inclusion, safeguarding and improving outcomes for children and families

Checks & eligibility

• Relevant Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

Other

• Able to travel independently across Warwickshire
• Able to speak and give advice in accurate spoken English to the public (Fluency Duty)

What’s offered

• Generous pension scheme with employer contribution typically around 19 percent
• Agile working
• Generous annual leave, bank holidays and an additional day at Christmas
• Volunteering and Wellbeing Day
• Access to Vivup benefits and discounts platform
• Supportive managers and a supervision policy focused on wellbeing and workload
• Refer a Friend package for some roles