Best Start Inclusion Practitioner

Torbay Council; Torquay; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Torbay Council is recruiting a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner to work with families, practitioners and partners to support children aged 0-5. You will help identify developmental needs early and guide parents to access timely, appropriate support within the Best Start Family Hub network.

You will collaborate with education, health, SEND and community services to promote inclusive practice and strengthen local pathways, ensuring every child has the best start in life.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Early Years and Childcare or equivalent is required.
• Experience with families in early years settings or family hubs is desirable.
• Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with parents, carers and professionals.

Responsibilities

• Providing flexible, practical support to families where there are emerging concerns about development, inclusion or additional needs.
• Helping parents and carers understand their child's developmental needs and access timely, appropriate support.
• Promoting inclusive practice across the Best Start Family Hub network and wider early years system.
• Working with education, health, SEND and community partners to strengthen coordinated support for children aged 0-5.
• Contributing to local tools, resources and pathways so information and advice is clear, accessible and useful for families.
• Supporting smoother transitions into early education and school by focusing on early identification, confidence building and joined-up planning.

Skills

Clear communication

Multi-agency collaboration

Child development knowledge

Inclusive practice

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Early Years and Childcare or equivalent

Job description

Are you passionate about helping young children thrive, supporting families at the earliest opportunity and making inclusion a reality in everyday practice? This is an exciting opportunity to join Torbay's Best Start in Life and Family Hubs as a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner, working with families, practitioners and partners to help children aged 0-5 get the right support, in the right place, at the right time. In this practical, family-facing role, you will help identify emerging developmental needs early and support parents and carers to understand and respond to their child's development with confidence. You will work across Family Hubs and the wider community, helping families access clear advice, inclusive opportunities and joined-up support without waiting for a formal diagnosis before help can begin. You will be part of a collaborative network across early years, education, health, SEND and the voluntary and community sector. By sharing knowledge, modelling inclusive practice and strengthening local pathways, you will play a key role in improving outcomes for children and helping practitioners feel confident in responding to a wide range of needs.

• Providing flexible, practical support to families where there are emerging concerns about development, inclusion or additional needs.
• Helping parents and carers understand their child's developmental needs and access timely, appropriate support.
• Promoting inclusive practice across the Best Start Family Hub network and wider early years system.
• Working closely with education, health, SEND and community partners to strengthen coordinated support for children aged 0-5.
• Contributing to local tools, resources and pathways so information and advice is clear, accessible and useful for families.
• Supporting smoother transitions into early education and school by focusing on early identification, confidence building and joined-up planning.

We are looking for someone who brings warmth, curiosity and confidence to their work with children, families andprofessionals. You will have a strong understanding of child development from birth to age 5, experience of supporting children with emerging additional needs or SEND, and the ability to communicate sensitively with parents, carers and partners. You will be organised, collaborative and committed to inclusion, equality and improving outcomes for children and families.

This role would suit someone with experience in early years, family support, education, health, childcare or community settings who wants to make a visible difference at the earliest point in a child's life. An NVQ Level 3, or equivalent, in Early Years and Childcare or a related field is required.

• Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with parents, carers and professionals.
• Ability to work on own initiative and also as part of a team.
• Ability to organise and prioritise work with minimum supervision.
• Ability to use professional judgement and work collaboratively in a range of situations.
• Ability to observe children's development and identify emerging concerns.

This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Knowledge Essential

• Strong knowledge of child development from birth to age 5, in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage Guidance.
• Understanding of SEND in the early years, including early identification and inclusive practice.
• Knowledge of local SEND systems, pathways and services.
• Understanding of the role of Best Start Family Hubs in supporting children and families.
• A sound working knowledge of safeguarding practice and the local offer.

Experience

• Experience of working with families providing child development support in the early years, either in a Family Hub, health service, early help team, childcare setting, school or community group.
• Experience of modelling or promoting inclusive practice in an early years, family support, education or health context.
• Experience of supporting children with emerging additional needs and/or SEND.
• Experience of multi-agency working.
• NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in Early Years and Childcare or related field.