Best Start Inclusion Practitioner

Central Bedfordshire Council; Biggleswade; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Bedfordshire Council is seeking a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner (BSIP) to join our Early Years SEND Advisory Team. You will deliver early, flexible and inclusive support to babies, young children and families, promoting inclusion across services.

The role focuses on early identification of needs, using tools such as EYFS Progress Check at Age 2, and provides practical advice to families and early years settings to embed inclusive practices in everyday routines.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children aged 0–5 and SEND.
• Understanding child development and inclusive practice.
• Ability to use assessment tools to identify needs early.

Responsibilities

• Identify emerging needs early and respond with family‑centred support.
• Provide practical advice and modelling to families and settings.
• Collaborate with SENCOs, Family Hubs, health professionals and other specialists.

Skills

Early years

SEND experience

Communication

Partnerships

Assessment tools

Job description

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Team: Advisory Support Team
Job Family: Supporting - CBG7
Salary:£29,542 - £32,046 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week
Location:You will be expected to attend a CBC office location as often as needed to carry out your role, which will be no less than once per month.
Contract Type:Hybrid - Fixed Term until 31st March 2029
Closing Date:12pm 23rd October 2026
Interview Date:29th October2026

About the Role

Are you passionate about giving every child the very best start in life? Do you have a strong commitment to inclusion and early intervention? We have an exciting opportunity for a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner (BSIP) to join our dedicated Early Years SEND Advisory Team.

The Best Start Inclusion Practitioner plays a key role within our Best Start Family Hubs, providing early, flexible, and inclusive support to babies, young children, and their families.You will help identify emerging additional needs at the earliest stage and respond with practical, family-centred support that strengthens developmental outcomes and promotes inclusion across services.

Key Responsibilities

• Support early identification of additional needs, using recognised tools such as the EYFS Progress Check at Age 2 and insights from the 2–2½ year health review.
• Provide practical advice, strategies, and modelling to families and early years settings to embed inclusive practices in everyday routines.
• Promote inclusive, high-quality universal provision, supporting reasonable adjustments and early interventions.
• Help families navigate local systems and services, ensuring they feel confident and supported.
• Work collaboratively with Area SENCOs, Family Hub teams, early years settings, health professionals, and other specialists.
• Strengthen the capacity of the wider Family Hub network to deliver inclusive support for all children.

Working Arrangements

• Working within 2 Best Start Family Hubs across one locality area.
• Locality area: Ivel Valley
• Standard Monday to Friday working pattern, with flexibility required to meet service needs.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience working with young children (0–5) and SEND.
• Understands early child development and inclusive practice.
• Is confident using assessment tools to identify need early.
• Has excellent communication and partnership working skills.
• Is passionate about supporting families and improving outcomes for all children.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of aforward-thinking, supportive team.
• Make a real impact on children’s early development and life chances.
• Work in a collaborative, multi-agency environment.
• Help shape inclusive practice across family hubs and early years services.

Our aspiration is to be a truly flexible employer. We welcome discussion on location,hoursand working pattern as part of the application process.

You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet the key accountabilities and competencies in this Recruitment Pack .

Safeguarding:

Central Bedfordshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees,volunteersand contractors to share this commitment.This post is subject to the disclosure of criminal records.

To maintain a fair and consistent approach for applicants,it isCentral Bedfordshire Council'spolicy to only consider applications madevia our online applicationsystem and we therefore thank you for not submitting your application offline.

Your application to us is a reflection of who you are professionally and should give us an accurate and authentic picture of your skills, experiences and if applicable qualifications. Before you submit your application, we will ask you to confirm if you have used AI.

All new starters will join us on a four‑month probationary period. During this time, if you are offered a Hybrid role you will be required to attend a Central Bedfordshire Council office location more frequently to support thorough and well‑supported onboarding into your role. Please keep this in mind if you anticipate extensive travel to Central Bedfordshire.

Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for our roles. Successful applicants that may require a visa will need to consider the options for obtaining and/or maintaining the legal right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the contract offered.

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