Best Start Inclusion Practitioner (North)

Blackpool Council; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Innovative Family Hub

Supportive management

Learning & development

Flexible across Blackpool

Make a difference

Job summary

Blackpool Council seeks Best Start Inclusion Practitioners to join the Early Help workforce. You will support babies and children aged 0–5 and their families, identifying needs, promoting inclusion and helping families access services across health, education and family hubs.

Working across Family Hubs, community venues and family homes, you will undertake whole-family assessments, contribute to family plans and collaborate with partners to improve outcomes and strengthen family resilience.

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification required.
• Experience with children aged 0–5 years and families.
• Experience supporting children with additional needs/SEND.

Responsibilities

• Support babies, young children and families across 0–5 age range.
• Identify emerging needs and promote inclusion.
• Collaborate with health, education and early help services.
• Undertake whole family assessments and contribute to family plans.
• Work across Family Hubs, community venues, early years settings and family homes.

Skills

Communication skills

Relationship-building

Collaborative working

Education

Level 3 qualification

Job description

Contract Type: Permanent

Contract Hours: 37 per week

Salary: NJC Grade F SCP 19-24 £33,119 - £36,581 per annum

Closing Date: 4th October 2026 at 23:59pm

Best Start Inclusion Practitioners

We will be hosting a jobs fair at Central Family Hub on 29 September, from 6pm to 8pm, for anyone interested in finding out more about the role.

Are you passionate about giving every child the best start in life?

As part of the Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies programme, Blackpool Family Hubs are seeking enthusiastic and committed Best Start Inclusion Practitioners to join our Early Help workforce. This is an exciting opportunity to support babies, young children and their families, ensuring children with emerging or identified Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) receive the right support at the earliest opportunity.

Working across Family Hubs, community venues, early years settings and family homes, you will provide practical, flexible and responsive support to families with children aged 0–5 years. You will play a key role in identifying emerging needs, promoting inclusion and helping families access the right support and services.

You will work closely with parents, carers and professionals across health, education and early help services to improve outcomes for children and strengthen family resilience.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a Level 3 qualification in Early Years, Child Development, Education, Health, SEND or a related field.
• Has experience working with children aged 0–5 years and their families.
• Has experience supporting children with additional needs and SEND.
• Understands child development and inclusive practice.
• Has excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Can undertake whole family assessments and contribute to family plans.
• Enjoys working collaboratively with families, communities and partner agencies.
• Is committed to inclusion, early intervention and achieving the best outcomes for children.

In return we can offer:

• The opportunity to be part of an innovative Family Hub model.
• A supportive and experienced management team.
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities.
• Flexible and varied work across communities in Blackpool.
• The chance to make a real difference to children and families.

If you are passionate about inclusion, early intervention and helping children thrive, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Holly Highley or Faye McCulloch at:
[e-mail] [e-mail]

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/vulnerable adults. This post is subject to satisfactory reference history of at least two years, Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check, medical clearance, evidence of any essential qualifications and proof of Right to Work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and amendments to the exemptions order, which mean that certain offences are ‘protected’ and do not need to be disclosed, guidance on the "filtering" of offences can be found at New filtering rules for DBS certificates (from 28 November 2020 onwards) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The successful applicant will be required to work outside of a 7am to 8pm Monday to Friday work pattern and will receive an additional payment on top of the quoted salary as a result.