Best Start in Life Inclusion Practitioner Lead

BARNARDO'S; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Pension scheme

Cycle to work

Discounts

Health plan

Employee assistance

Store discount

Flexible working

Job summary

Barnardo's in Plymouth is seeking a Best Start in Life Inclusion Practitioner Lead to drive a multi-disciplinary Family Hub service for 0-5 with SEND. The post combines frontline work with leadership, including line management of Inclusion Practitioners, case oversight, and SEND development across the network.

The role requires SEND experience, a Level 3 qualification, strong partnership and communication skills, and a commitment to reducing inequalities in outcomes for children.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children and families, particularly those with SEND.
• Knowledge of child development, inclusion and early intervention, trained to a minimum of level 3.
• Experience supervising or leading staff.
• Strong partnership and communication skills.
• A passion for improving outcomes for children and reducing inequalities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of Inclusion Practitioners.
• Champion early identification and intervention for children with SEND.
• Support families to access services and navigate SEND pathways.
• Deliver inclusive groups and activities within Family Hubs and local communities.
• Build strong partnerships with health, education and SEND professionals.
• Lead SEND team meetings and multi-agency collaboration.
• Monitor outcomes and present impact data to operational and strategic audiences.

Skills

SEND experience

Child development

Staff supervision

Partnership skills

Communication

Level 3 qualification

Education

Level 3 qualification

Job description

Best Start in LifeInclusion Practitioner Lead (Project Worker 2)

Part-time and flexible workingconsidered

Are you passionate about improving outcomes for young children with SEND and supporting families to access the right help at the right time?

Barnardo's Plymouth Family Hubs are looking for a motivated and experienced Best Start in Life Inclusion Practitioner Lead to support children aged 0-5 with emerging or identified Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

This exciting role combines direct work with children and families alongside leadership responsibilities, including line management of Inclusion Practitioners, case oversight, supervision, and leading SEND developments across the Family Hub network.

What you'll do:

• Lead and support a team of Inclusion Practitioners.
• Champion early identification and intervention for children with SEND.
• Support families to access services and navigate SEND pathways.
• Deliver inclusive groups and activities within Family Hubs and local communities.
• Build strong partnerships with health, education and SEND professionals.
• Lead SEND team meetings and multi-agency collaboration.
• Monitor outcomes and present impact data to operational and strategic audiences.

About you:

You will have:

• Experience working with children and families, particularly those with SEND.
• Knowledge of child development, inclusion and early intervention, trained to a minimum of level 3.
• Experience supervising or leading staff.
• Strong partnership and communication skills.
• A passion for improving outcomes for children and reducing inequalities.

Why Barnardo's?

Join a supportive and values-driven organisation that has been delivering Family Hub services across Plymouth since 2011. You'll play a key role in ensuring every child has the best possible start in life.

For an informal discussion, contact: Tracy Tucker, Children's Services Manager
07850 541263
[e-mail]

Although this contract has a permanent status, please be aware that this post is subject to funding currently to 31st March 2028 and therefore should this funding not be extended further, you may be subject to a redundancy consultation or a TUPE arrangement. This contract is due to expire on 31st March 2028.

Please note due to the high volume ofapplications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible

We appreciate our colleagues' dedication and their commitment to delivering excellence in the vital work we do, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values.

We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people.

We are committed to a rounded colleague experience with an approach to both pay and rewards that are fair, attractive, and progressive. This is in support of our strategic ambition to ensure Barnardo's is a place everyone can belong, grow and thrive.

The salary range advertised is in line withour pay principles, for consistency and fairness while recognising the skills and experience applicants bring to the role. Appointing salaries can be discussed further at appointment stage; we do seek to appoint within this range always exercising responsible stewardship.

• Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore open to offering flexible working arrangements.
• Annual Leave entitlement for full-time colleagues is 26 days per annum, increasing to 27 days per annum, after 3 years Barnardo's service, 29 days per annum, after 5 years Barnardo's service and 30 days per annum, after 7 years Barnardo's service. Those working less than full time are entitled to the same level of holiday pro rata
• The ability to buy up to another 5 days annual leave via our Buy Your Leave scheme
• A host of family friendly leave options including company Maternity Paternity and Adoption pay; together with all family additional leave options
• Service related sick pay from day 1
• Access to a Group Personal Pension with a matched 4% or 6% contribution from Barnardo's. Ability to pay via salary sacrifice to garner both tax and NI savings on your own contribution
• Death in service cover of 4x annual earnings for all staff contributing to our Group Personal Pension
• Cycle2work scheme
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Discounts and cashback from at high street shops including major supermarkets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more via our Benefit Portal
• 20% discount at Barnardo's stores
• Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc
• Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support
• Access to Barnardo's Learning and Development offer

*T&C's apply based on contract

• Reference number:23895
• Job Title:Best Start in Life Inclusion Practitioner Lead
• Location:Plymouth
• Locality:Plymouth Family Hubs
• Contract type:Permanent (Fixed term funded post)
• End date:31/03/2028
• Hours:37
• Salary:£28,687
• Closing Date:23 October 2026
• Interview Date:04/11/2026

Additional Info

• Information Sheet for Applicants Applying for Positions Working with Children and Vulnerable Adults (updated July 2021).pdf (107.00 KB)
• Barnardo's Workplace Offer Visual Summary.pdf (27.58 KB)
• Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy Dec 2024.pdf (164.07 KB)
• Project Worker 2 - Job Description and Person Specification.pdf (262.63 KB)
• Additional information sheet Best Start in Life Inclusion Practitionr PW2.pdf (42.43 KB)