Best Start Inclusion Practitioner

Allscreens Nationwide Ltd; Thurrock; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Hybrid working opportunities

Training and development

Employee assistance programme and Well

Staff discounts and local offers

Inclusive working environment

Job summary

Thurrock Council is seeking a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner to provide early help and inclusion-focused support to children, families and education settings, identifying needs at the earliest opportunity. The role operates within a multi-agency system across education, health and community partners.

This fixed-term role offers the chance to work with families and settings to strengthen inclusive practice, build confidence and improve outcomes for children, with a 12-month contract and

Qualifications

• Essential Level 3 qualification is required.
• Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List is required.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with families and professionals.
• Experience in education, early years settings or family support contexts is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide early help and inclusion-focused support to children, families and education settings.
• Work within a multi-agency system across education, health and community partners.
• Contribute to Best Start in Life, SEND Inclusion and early intervention priorities.

Skills

Relationship-building

Communication

SEND experience

Child-centred practice

Teamwork

Education

Level 3 qualification

Job description

Grade: C

Contract Type: Fixed Term for 12 months with the potential to extend

Working Hours: 37 hours per week

About the Role

The Best Start Inclusion Practitioner (BSIP) provides early help and inclusion-focused support to children, families, early years settings and schools, enabling emerging needs to be identified and addressed at the earliest opportunity. The role is central to preventing escalation into statutory services where this is appropriate, through high-quality relationship-based practice and robust use of graduated response approaches.

The role supports delivery of Thurrock's Best Start in Life, SEND Inclusion and early intervention priorities and operates within a multi-agency system spanning education, health and community partners.

This role offers the chance to make a real difference by working directly with families and education settings to strengthen inclusive practice, build confidence and capability within universal and targeted services, and contribute to improved outcomes for children.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who has:

• Ability to build positive and trusting relationships with families and professionals
• Experience of working with children and families in education, early years settings of family support contexts
• Experience of supporting children with SEND and their families
• Commitment to inclusive, child-centred and family-centred practice
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to explain information clearly and sensitively

Essential Qualifications: Relevant Level 3 qualification (e.g. Early Years, Education, Health, SEND or equivalent)

DBS Check: Enhanced with Children's Barred List is required for this post

Benefits of Working with Us

At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 13th August 2026

Closing Date (Internal & External): 13th September 2026

Interview Date: 18th September 2026

Additional Information

If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:

Alison Picknell on email at

Download Job Profile (PDF Document)

Safer Recruitment Application Requirements

Gap Management from when leaving full-time education is required for all Safeguarding roles.