Early Years Inclusion Assistant

Beighton; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Sheffield City Council is seeking enthusiastic Early Years Inclusion Assistants to join the 0-5 SEND Support Service. You will work with families, early years settings and professionals to help children access learning, develop independence and thrive within their communities.

Roles include coaching settings, implementing inclusive strategies, and supporting children with additional needs. A relevant qualification is desirable, with 37-hour weeks and flexible working options discussed during

Qualifications

• Experience working with young children, ideally in early years, education, childcare or SEND services.
• Understanding of child development and importance of early intervention.
• Experience supporting children with additional needs and disabilities.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, families and professionals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Commitment to inclusion, belonging and improving outcomes for children and families.
• Flexible, proactive and solution-focused approach.

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

Early years development

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Relevant childcare/education/SEND qualification

Job description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Contractual hours 37

Basis Full Time

Package Temporary to 31/03/2029 - Term time only

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?

We are looking for enthusiastic, skilled and caring Early Years Inclusion Assistants to join Sheffield’s 0-5 SEND Support Service at an exciting time of change and development.

As part of Sheffield’s evolving Early Years SEND and Experts at Hand offer, you will work alongside families, early years settings, Family Hubs and specialist professionals to support children with emerging and identified SEND needs, helping them access learning, develop independence and thrive within their local communities.

About the Role

Working as part of a highly respected citywide SEND service, you will:

• 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

We are looking for someone who:

• 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.

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 ourSheff news page.

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