Best Start Inclusion Practitioner

Wigan Council; Wigan; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Wigan Council is seeking a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner to support young children with additional needs and their families across Wigan. You will work within Family Hubs, community venues and through home visits, coordinating with parents, carers and multi‑agency partners to promote inclusion and improved outcomes.

The role is non‑management within the Early Learning and Childcare Team, led by the Early Years Inclusion Manager, with opportunities for professional development and service

Qualifications

• Experience of supporting young children and families, including those with SEND and emerging additional needs.
• Strong understanding of child development, the EYFS and the SEND Code of Practice.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Confident working independently and as part of a multi-agency team, delivering support in Family Hubs, community venues and through home visits.

Responsibilities

• Support young children with emerging or identified additional needs and their families across Wigan.
• Collaborate with parents, carers, early years providers, health professionals and multi-agency partners to promote inclusion and improve outcomes.
• Operate in a non-management role within the Early Learning and Childcare Team led by the Early Years Inclusion Manager, with opportunities for professional development and service improvement.

Skills

Child development

Excellent communication

Relationship building

Job description

Priority Candidates will be considered in the first instance

Wigan Life Centre South

Salary: Grade 6, £30,515 - £33,673 per annum.

37 hours per week

3x positions

Temporary until 31st March 2029

We're on a journey to build a workforce reflective of our Borough.

We are committed to fostering diverse teams where everybody can bring their authentic selves to work and feel that they belong. If you want to work for a Council where everybody is encouraged to meet their full potential and make a difference in our neighbourhoods, we would love to hear from you!

Your role

As a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner, you will play a key role in supporting young children with emerging or identified additional needs and their families across Wigan. Working within Family Hubs, community venues and through home visits, you will help families access the right support at the earliest opportunity. You will work closely with parents, carers, early years providers, health professionals and multi‑agency partners to promote inclusion and improve outcomes for children with SEND. This is a non‑management role within a supportive Early Learning and Childcare Team, led by the Early Years Inclusion Manager, with opportunities for professional development, partnership working and service improvement.

About you

We are looking for a passionate and child‑centred professional with experience of supporting young children and families, including those with SEND and emerging additional needs. You will have a strong understanding of child development, the EYFS and the SEND Code of Practice, alongside excellent communication and relationship‑building skills. The ideal candidate will be confident working independently and as part of a multi‑agency team, delivering support in Family Hubs, community venues and through home visits. You will be organised, adaptable and committed to improving outcomes for children and families through early identification, intervention and partnership working.

About us

Join a supportive and dedicated team committed to improving outcomes for children and families across Wigan. As part of the Early Learning and Childcare Team, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children with SEND by promoting inclusion and high‑quality early education. You will work alongside experienced colleagues and multi‑agency partners, receive opportunities for professional development, and contribute to innovative services that support children to thrive.

The Progress with Unity plan is a place movement for change for the next decade, bringing a new era for Wigan Borough. It draws on the strengths of our individual organisations, recognising that together we can achieve much more for our communities by delivering on our 2 place missions; create fair opportunities for all children, families, residents and businesses and make our towns and neighbourhoods flourish for those who live and work in them.

Here at Wigan, we are proud to support flexible working patterns, when the service can accommodate this. We also take a blended approach to where we work, depending on the work we do. This may include working from home, the office, or the community. We like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of exclusive rewards and benefits to find out more about working for #TeamWigan.

To be appointed to this role you must be able to prove your right to work in the UK, and you must maintain a valid (active) right to work. Please note, at present we are not a licenced sponsor. Please visit the link below to check you qualify to apply. Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Prove your right to work to an employer

Wigan Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. As part of this commitment, Wigan Council operates robust Safer Recruitment procedures

We recognise that on occasion candidates may use AI tools. Please read our applying authentically section below before submitting your application.

For further information, please contact Jo Keenan [e-mail] or 07800679308

Interview date

Priority candidates Monday 30th November

All other candidates Wednesday 2nd November

This position is subject to Enhanced Disclosure Procedures plus child barred list check

The employer is committed to safeguarding

Supporting Documents

• Job Specification
• DBS Applicant Information
• Privacy Notice
• Safer Recruitment at Wigan Council