Best Start Inclusion Practitioner

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council; Dudley; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking Best Start in Life Inclusion Practitioners to join our Family Hub teams. You will work with babies and children aged 0-5 to identify needs and provide timely support, working within a multi-agency team.

You will deliver short-term interventions, model inclusive practices, support families, and coordinate with health, education and early help services to reduce inequalities and improve outcomes for children with SEND.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children aged 0-5 with emerging or identified SEND.
• Experience as SENCO or in a similar role within education, health or early years.
• Understanding of child development and inclusive practice.
• Strong communication and partnership-working with families and professionals.
• Compassionate, reflective and solutions-focused.

Responsibilities

• Identify emerging developmental needs of children and families.
• Deliver targeted short-term interventions and support programmes.
• Use evidence-based approaches to assess and monitor development.
• Model inclusive strategies to support communication, play and learning.
• Coordinate support with health, education and early help services.
• Support families with practical guidance and advice.
• Contribute to improved outcomes and reduce inequalities.

Skills

SEND experience

SENCO background

Child development knowledge

Communication skills

Partnership working

Empathy & reflection

Job description

Are you passionate about early years inclusion and supporting children with additional needs? We are seeking enthusiastic and committed Best Start in Life Inclusion Practitioners to join our Family Hub teams. In this role, you will help ensure that babies and young children aged 0-5 receive the right support at the right time. As part of Dudley's Best Start in Life programme, you will work closely with children, families and professionals to identify emerging needs early and provide timely support and intervention. Working within a multi-agency team, you will play a key role in helping children thrive, reducing inequalities and strengthening inclusion across Family Hubs and local communities.

What You'll Do

• Work directly with children and families to identify emerging developmental needs.
• Deliver targeted short-term interventions and support programmes.
• Use evidence-based approaches to assess and monitor children's development.
• Model inclusive strategies that promote communication, play, behaviour, self-regulation and learning.
• Support parents and carers with practical guidance and advice.
• Coordinate support with colleagues across health, education and early help services.
• Build confidence and capability within Family Hub teams and partner organisations.
• Champion inclusive practice and promote access to support without requiring a formal diagnosis.
• Contribute to improved outcomes for children with SEND and help reduce inequalities.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience working with children aged 0-5 with emerging or identified SEND.
• Has worked as a SENCO or in a similar role within education, health, early years or care services.
• Understands child development, communication needs and inclusive practice.
• Is confident working with families and professionals from diverse backgrounds.
• Can deliver interventions, model effective strategies and support the development of others.
• Is compassionate, reflective and solutions-focused.
• Has strong communication and partnership-working skills.
• Is committed to helping every child achieve the best possible start in life.

About Dudley Council

It's an incredibly exciting time to work in Dudley Council as we embark on numerous multi-million pound regeneration schemes which will be real game-changers for the borough. In addition to the exciting schemes such as the Midland Metro we also have the ongoing and very serious challenges of ensuring vulnerable people across the borough receive the services they deserve. At Dudley Council we have a 'one council' ethos that builds an effective and dynamic organisation which grows the economy and creates jobs, creating a cleaner and greener place and supports stronger and safer communities. We are rightly proud to be the historic capital of the Black Country and, working with our partners, Dudley Council is also committed to looking forward and helping to deliver our borough vision of 'Forge a Future for all' www.dudleyboroughvision2030.org.uk We ensure communities influence council decisions and are committed to delivering services in partnership with communities. We provide flexible and responsive service in partnership and help communities help themselves.

In joining a local authority that serves 320,000 residents you will become an integral part of a council that:

• is ready to embrace change, providing an environment in which you will be encouraged to make your mark
• is aware of its key challenges and the need for a new energy to innovate the council, in order to find cost effective ways of delivering services
• has aligned its political and managerial leadership structures and is committed to protecting, securing and transforming the lives of children, families, the vulnerable and older people
• wants borough residents to have their say through our community forums
• dedicates time to meaningful consultation and listen to the views of our residents
• is working with the community to encourage active involvement of our residents