Best Start Inclusion Practitioner

Merton Council; Merton; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Merton Council is offering an exciting two‑year opportunity for Best Start Inclusion Practitioner roles in Merton. The job involves identifying early developmental needs and delivering practical, evidence‑informed support to children, families and professionals.

You will work closely with health, education, SEND, early years and community services to ensure universal support and early access to services for 0–5s with additional needs.

Qualifications

• Direct experience of working with children with SEN and disabilities in school, childcare, children centre, health service or home learning environment.
• Good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and the SEND Code of Practice 2015.
• Experience of partnership and multi‑agency working across health, education, community or voluntary services.

Responsibilities

• Provide universal support and identify developmental needs at the earliest opportunity.
• Support children aged 0–5 with additional needs within Best Start Family Hubs and network sites.
• Work with families and professionals to remove barriers and promote inclusion.
• Be based in the Best Start family hub at least 3 days a week.

Skills

SEN experience

EYFS knowledge

Multi-agency collaboration

Job description

Salary /Grade - ME8 - £35,520 - £37,134 per annum inclusive

Are you ready to join us in Merton's Best Start Family Hubs?

We are:

"A place where outstanding children's services are offered, where children and young people feel they belong, stay safe and can thrive"

We want Merton to be a great place for every child to grow up, and to give every child the best start in life. Our children's services have been judged Outstanding by Ofsted, and we are moving forward to keep improving our standards of practice.

An exciting new two-year opportunity has arisen for 3 full time and 1 part time Best Start Inclusion Practitioner.

The role of the Best Start Inclusion Practitioner is an important component of Best Start in Life and Early Help delivery in Merton to help identify emerging developmental needs at the earliest opportunity and provide practical, evidence-informed support to children, families and professionals.

The role will provide universal support and ensure children aged 0-5 years with additional needs are identified early and supported effectively within inclusive, accessible, integrated and community-based services such as our Best Start Family Hubs and wider network sites.

You will work closely with families and alongside colleagues from health, education, SEND, early years and community services to build confidence, remove barriers and promote inclusion, so families receive the right help at the right time, are able to navigate and access specialist services.

About You

We're looking for someone who:

• Has direct experience of working with children with SEN and disabilities in a school, childcare, children centre, health service or home learning environment
• A good understanding of Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, the SEND Code of Practice 2015 and the Best Start in Life agenda.
• Experience of partnership and multi-agency working across health, education, community or voluntary sector services.

This role will be basedin the Best start family hub at least 3 days a week.