Early Years Improvement and Inclusion Lead (South)

Staffordshire County Council; Stafford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in England is seeking an Early Years Improvement and Inclusion Lead to inspire and lead the Early Years team across South Staffordshire. The role involves facilitating continuous improvement and empowering the team to enhance early years support. Candidates should have proven leadership skills and knowledge of early years national policies. This position requires excellent communication skills and experience working with partners to implement changes. The application process includes a commitment to equality and safeguarding.

Qualifications

• Skills and experience to lead and develop high performing teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Substantial knowledge of changing national policy and agendas affecting early years.
• Demonstrable experience of working with partners to co-produce change.

Responsibilities

• Lead the early years leadership team to facilitate continuous improvement.
• Empower a team to provide effective support to meet changing needs of early years.
• Implement effective and creative solutions to service delivery.
• Develop and disseminate new policies, processes, and practices.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Are you passionate about giving every child the best start in life?
Staffordshire County Council is looking for an inspiring leader to join our Early Years leadership team as an Early Years Improvement and Inclusion Lead (South).

This is your opportunity to make a real difference by empowering the Early Years team to shape inclusive, high‑quality early years provision across the county.

This role will cover the South of the county. (South Staffs, Cannock, Lichfield, Tamworth)

Main Responsibilities

You will:

• have a lead role within the early years leadership team, facilitating continuous improvement.
• have a passion for early years with a drive to succeed and be highly committed to leading and supporting a great team.
• lead a motivated and experienced team who provide guidance and support across the early years sector.
• work closely with partners and settings in Staffordshire, supporting all children to thrive.

You will be focussed on improving outcomes for children through:

• high performance, leading a culture of continuous improvement
• empowering a team to provide effective support to meet the changing needs of the early years sector
• strategic thinking with an ability to implement effective, creative solutions to service delivery
• developing and disseminating new policies, processes, and practices involving all key partners
• undertaking project planning, management and evaluation to develop evidence-based practices and priorities

The Ideal Candidate

You will have:

• the skills and experience to lead and and develop high performing teams
• excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• substantial knowledge of changing national policy and agendas affecting early years
• demonstrable experience of working with partners to co‑produce change

Shortlisting is scheduled for the week commencing 2nd February 2026.

Interviews will be held the week commencing 16th February 2026.

For an informal chat about the role please contact Helen Gibson, Head of Early Years: [e-mail]

Our Recruitment Process

We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role.

Equal Opportunities

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities.

As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a GoldAward Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers – we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.