Best Start Inclusion Assistant

Derbyshire County Council; Cromford CP; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Derbyshire County Council is seeking Best Start Inclusion Assistants to join our Best Start Family Hub Team across Derbyshire. You will support families with children aged 0-5, help navigate local services, and assist with drop-ins and short-term early support sessions across Family Hubs and community settings.

Applicants should have experience with young children and SEND, strong communication skills, and a relevant Level 2 qualification.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with young children, including those with special educational Needs and their families.
• Builds trusting relationships and communicates with families in a supportive, approachable way.
• Recognises and responds to a child's Special Educational Needs, taking a practical, empathetic approach, supporting parents / carers as first educators of their child.
• Works effectively with colleagues across the community network and in partnership with other professionals.
• Is committed to inclusion and improving outcomes for children and families.
• Understanding of child development from birth to five and knowledge of SEND and inclusion.
• Experience of supporting families in community, early years or similar settings.
• Effective communication skills both written and verbal with the ability to explain pathways, processes and support clearly and accessibly.
• A relevant Level 2 qualification

Responsibilities

• Family Navigation: Helping families understand and navigate local services including inclusion pathways, financial support, and childcare entitlements.
• Joined-Up Working: Collaborating with health services, early years providers, SEND teams and partners for joined-up support.
• Direct Support: Supporting the running of drop-ins and short-term early support workshops and family sessions at Family Hubs and across the Best Start network.

Skills

Trusting relationships

Approachable communication

SEND knowledge

Inclusion commitment

Team collaboration

Child development knowledge

Experience with families

Verbal & written communication

Education

Level 2 qualification

Job description

We are looking for passionate, proactive individuals to join our Portage Service as Best Start Inclusion Assistants (BSIAs) working alongside our Best Start Inclusion Practitioners within our newly developed Best Start Family Hubs. With opportunities available across our Family Hub network in Derbyshire, you'll be based within a local community, building trusted relationships and providing early, accessible support where it can have the greatest impact. You'll support families with children aged 0-5 who may have emerging or identified needs and support the connection for families with the right support at the right time. If you're committed to supporting inclusion and want to make a real difference in the lives of young children and families, this is an exciting opportunity to join our Best Start Family Hub Team and help shape its future. The Opportunity As a Best Start Inclusion Assistant, you will be a welcoming and trusted presence in Best Start Family Hubs and across the community network, you will play a key role in creating a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment for families and partners. Working as part of a friendly team, you will provide information and practical assistance across Family Hubs, community settings and with partners. You will be providing support in the following ways: Family Navigation: Helping families understand and navigate local services including inclusion pathways, financial support, community resources and access to childcare entitlements. Joined-Up Working: Collaborating with health services, early years providers, and local SEND teams and community partners to provide joined up support. Direct Support: Supporting the running of 'drop-ins' and short-term early support workshops, and family sessions at Family Hubs and across the Best Start community network

Experience of working with young children, including those with special educational Needs and their families. We're looking for someone who:

• Builds trusting relationships and communicates with families in a supportive, approachable way
• Recognises and responds to a child's Special Educational Needs, taking a practical, empathetic approach, supporting parents / carers as first educators of their child.
• Works effectively with colleagues across the community network and in partnership with other professionals.
• Is committed to inclusion and improving outcomes for children and families

You'll also have:

• Understanding of child development from birth to five and knowledge of SEND and inclusion.
• Experience of supporting families in community, early years or similar settings.
• Effective communication skills both written and verbal with the ability to explain pathways, processes and support clearly and accessibly.
• A relevant Level 2 qualification

Above all, you'll be approachable, compassionate and committed to helping children and families thrive through high-quality early support.