Early Years Inclusion Assistant

Sheffield City Council HQ; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Sheffield City Council’s 0-5 SEND team is seeking an Early Years Inclusion Assistant to support young children with SEND across citywide settings.

You will model inclusive practice, coach early years staff, and help families access timely support, ensuring children belong, thrive and achieve.

Qualifications

• Experience working with young children, ideally in early years, education, childcare or SEND services.
• Understanding of child development and early intervention.
• Experience supporting children with additional needs and disabilities.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, families and professionals.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical support, modelling and coaching to early years settings.
• Support the implementation of inclusive strategies and interventions.
• Work directly with children who have additional needs.
• Help early years practitioners build confidence and skills to meet children's needs.
• Contribute to the delivery of Sheffield's Graduated Approach.
• Support transitions into nursery, preschool and school.
• Work in partnership with families, ensuring their views are heard and valued.
• Participate in multi-agency working with education, health and care colleagues.
• Help identify needs early and ensure children receive the right support at the right time.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to monitoring outcomes for children.

Skills

Experience with young children

Child development knowledge

Excellent communication

Teamwork

Education

Relevant childcare/SEND qualification

Job description

Early Years Inclusion Assistant

0-5 SEND Support Service Sheffield City Council

Location: Citywide / Community-Based

Helping Every Child Belong, Thrive and Achieve

Do you have a passion for supporting young children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)?

Are you committed to giving children the very best start in life?

About the Role

• Provide practical support, modelling and coaching to early years settings.


• Support the implementation of inclusive strategies and interventions.


• Work directly with children who have additional needs.


• Help early years practitioners build confidence and skills to meet children's needs.


• Contribute to the delivery of Sheffield's Graduated Approach.


• Support transitions into nursery, preschool and school.


• Work in partnership with families, ensuring their views are heard and valued.


• Participate in multi-agency working with education, health and care colleagues.


• Help identify needs early and ensure children receive the right support at the right time.


• Maintain accurate records and contribute to monitoring outcomes for children.

About You

• Has experience working with young children, ideally within early years, education, childcare or SEND services.


• Understands child development and the importance of early intervention.


• Has experience supporting children with additional needs and disabilities.


• Can develop positive relationships with children, families and professionals.


• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills.


• Can work independently whilst also contributing positively within a team.


• Is committed to inclusion, belonging and improving outcomes for children and families.


• Is flexible, proactive and solution focused.

A relevant childcare, education or SEND qualification would be desirable.

What We Can Offer

• The opportunity to make a real difference to children's lives.


• A supportive and experienced 0-5 SEND team.


• Regular supervision and professional support.


• Access to specialist SEND and inclusion training.


• Opportunities to work alongside a wide range of education, health and care professionals.


• The chance to be part of Sheffield's exciting SEND transformation and locality-based support offer.

Our Commitment

At Sheffield City Council, we believe that every child should feel that they belong, are valued and can thrive within their family, community and learning environment. We are committed to building inclusive communities where every child has the opportunity to achieve their potential.

Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form. Sometimes, if lots of people apply, we might not be able to interview everyone who qualifies for the Guarantee. In these cases, we'll interview the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job.

Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.

If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.

Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. Find out more on our Sheff news page.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.