Best Start Inclusion Practitioner

Walsall Council; Walsall; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Walsall Council's Best Start in Life team is recruiting a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner to work directly with babies, young children and families to improve outcomes for children with emerging needs.

You will provide direct practical support across family hubs and early years settings, identify developmental needs, coach parents and carers, and coordinate with education, health and SEND partners while safeguarding and promoting wellbeing.

Qualifications

• A full and relevant Level 3 qualification or above in early years, education, health, SEND, child development or a related field.
• Experience of working with babies, young children and their families.
• Knowledge of child development, inclusion, SEND and early intervention.
• Experience of supporting children with emerging or identified additional needs.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to work confidently with families, practitioners and partner agencies.
• Experience of delivering practical support, coaching, interventions or family support.
• A commitment to safeguarding and improving outcomes for children.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct, practical and timely support to children aged 0-5 and their families across Family Hubs, community settings, outreach locations and early years provision.
• Support the early identification of developmental, communication and SEND needs.
• Work directly with children and families through observations, short interventions and practical support.
• Provide advice, guidance and coaching to parents, carers and practitioners.
• Help families access services through referrals, supported introductions and warm handovers.
• Support children during key transitions, including entry into early education and Reception.
• Work closely with education, health, SEND, Family Help and community partners.
• Contribute to inclusive practice, school readiness and improved outcomes for vulnerable children.
• Ensure safeguarding concerns are recognised, recorded and escalated appropriately.

Skills

Early years experience

Child development knowledge

Communication skills

Safeguarding focus

Intervention coaching

Education

Level 3 qualification in early years or related field

Job description

Best Start in Life Practitioner - Ref: CH10026

Salary: G7 SCP 24-27 (£36,581 - £39,481 per annum)
37 hours per week | Permanent | Community-based working

Do you believe every child deserves the best possible start in life?

Are you passionate about inclusion, early intervention and helping children and families overcome barriers before they become bigger challenges?

Walsall Council is recruiting Best Start Inclusion Practitioners to join our growing Best Start in Life team. These exciting new roles will work directly with babies, young children and families, helping to improve outcomes for children with emerging or identified additional needs and supporting children to thrive in their homes, communities, early years settings and schools.

This is a rewarding opportunity to be part of a developing service that places children, families and inclusion at the heart of everything it does.

Role responsibilities

As a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner, you will provide direct, practical and timely support to children aged 0-5 and their families across Family Hubs, community settings, outreach locations and early years provision.

You will:

• Support the early identification of developmental, communication and SEND needs.
• Work directly with children and families through observations, short interventions and practical support.
• Provide advice, guidance and coaching to parents, carers and practitioners.
• Help families access services through referrals, supported introductions and warm handovers.
• Support children during key transitions, including entry into early education and Reception.
• Work closely with education, health, SEND, Family Help and community partners.
• Contribute to inclusive practice, school readiness and improved outcomes for vulnerable children.
• Ensure safeguarding concerns are recognised, recorded and escalated appropriately.

You will be part of a supportive team committed to reducing inequalities, improving access to services and ensuring families receive help as early as possible.

What we are looking for

We are looking for enthusiastic, compassionate and motivated practitioners who are passionate about making a difference.

You will have:

• A full and relevant Level 3 qualification or above in early years, education, health, SEND, child development, social care or a related field.
• Experience of working with babies, young children and their families.
• Knowledge of child development, inclusion, SEND and early intervention.
• Experience of supporting children with emerging or identified additional needs.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to work confidently with families, practitioners and partner agencies.
• Experience of delivering practical support, coaching, interventions or family support.
• A commitment to safeguarding and improving outcomes for children.

Most importantly, you will be someone who believes in the potential of every child and is motivated to help families access the support they need.

Read more about our benefits at https://go.walsall.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers-/benefits-of-working-for-us

Why join us

This is a fantastic opportunity to join an ambitious and growing Best Start in Life programme that is making a real difference across the borough.

At Walsall Council we offer:

• Meaningful work that directly improves outcomes for children and families.
• The opportunity to support children at a crucial stage of development.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment.
• Strong multi-agency partnerships and learning opportunities.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Access to learning, development and progression opportunities.
• A strong commitment to wellbeing, inclusion and work-life balance

Closing date for applications: 20th November 2026

Must be available for interview week beginning 30th November and 7th December 2026

This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.

Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment. We will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce. Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Note: Applicants appointed to posts that require an enhanced DBS clearance must declare any periods of time that they have lived, studied or worked abroad and be prepared to provide an Overseas Criminal Records Certificate (OCRC) or a Statement of Good Conduct (SOGC) relating to anytime they were overseas.

Walsall Council’s Children’s Services are the only Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ local authority in the Black Country. During a visit in May 2025, Inspectors described Walsall Council as a place where children were at the heart of. The council’s journey of continuous improvement started in 2017 and has since transformed into a service with a clear vision, clear priorities and a clear plan, all informed by the views of our staff and children. Staff are at the core of delivering great outcomes for children and young people in Walsall, which is underpinned by our Walsall Right 4 Children vision. The latest Ofsted inspection demonstrated that staff in children’s services are proud to work for Walsall Council and feel supported to do great work.