Early Years Inclusion Practitioner

AWD online; Birdholme; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave scheme

Excellent local government pension

Fantastic employee discounts

Job summary

AWD online seeks an Early Years Inclusion Practitioner to support children aged 0–5 with emerging needs within a Family Hub setting. You will work with families to access timely support, build relationships, and coordinate with multi‑agency partners to enhance child development and inclusion.

You will champion inclusive practice across hubs, contribute to training, and help navigate services to improve outcomes for children and families in the local community.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children aged 0–5 with complex needs and disabilities.
• Experience working with parents on joint assessment, review and teaching strategies.
• Knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and SEND Code of Practice.
• Good communication skills and ability to engage with diverse audiences.
• Ability to plan, set targets and review progress for individual children.

Responsibilities

• Identify emerging special educational needs through observation and family engagement.
• Provide universal and targeted support and monitor progress in response to interventions.
• Collaborate with health services, early years providers, SEND teams and other professionals.
• Help families access local services, inclusion pathways and financial support.
• Undertake and provide training to support best practice across early years SEN and inclusion.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare reports per service protocols.
• Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings and reviews.
• Contribute to the development of the service across Family Hubs and Best Start networks.

Skills

Experience with 0–5 children

Support families

Observation & assessment

Multi-agency collaboration

Record keeping

IT skills

EYFS knowledge

SEND Code of Practice

Time management

Teamwork

Ability to drive in county

Education

NVQ3/NNEB or equivalent

Tools

Portage model

Job description

Early Years Inclusion Practitioner

This is a rewarding opportunity for a passionate and proactive early years professional to support children aged 0–5 with emerging or identified needs, helping families access early, inclusive and practical support within a local Family Hub and community network.

This job is officially known within the organisation as a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner

If you’ve also worked in the following roles, we’d also like to hear from you: SEN Practitioner, SEND Practitioner, Early Years Practitioner, Inclusion Practitioner, Portage Practitioner, Family Support Practitioner, Early Years Support Worker, Child Development Practitioner

SALARY: £32,347 to £34,317 pro rata per annum + Benefits

LOCATION: Birdholme, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, East Midlands

JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Contract until 31 March 2029

WORKING HOURS: 37 Hours per Week

JOB OVERVIEW

This is an exciting opportunity to join a developing Family Hub service where you will help children and families access the right support at the right time. As an Early Years Inclusion Practitioner, you will provide universal and targeted support for families with young children who may have emerging or identified additional needs.

Working as an Early Years Inclusion Practitioner, you will build positive relationships with families, use observation and evidence-based assessment tools, and work with multi-agency partners to support children’s development and inclusion.

The Early Years Inclusion Practitioner will also help champion inclusive practice across Family Hubs, community settings and local networks, supporting early identification, intervention, family navigation and improved outcomes for children and families.

DUTIES

Your duties as the Early Years Inclusion Practitioner include:

• Early Identification: Identify emerging special educational needs, including complex needs, through observation, family engagement and evidence-based assessment tools


• Targeted Intervention: Provide universal and targeted support for children and assess progress in response to interventions


• Family Support: Work with parents and families to agree and implement practical strategies that support each child’s needs


• Multi-Agency Working: Collaborate with health services, early years providers, SEND teams, community partners and other professionals


• Service Navigation: Help families understand and access local services, inclusion pathways, financial support and community resources


• Training and Guidance: Undertake and provide training to support best practice across early years SEN, inclusion and local guidance


• Record Keeping: Maintain accurate records and prepare reports in line with service protocols


• Meetings and Reviews: Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings and reviews


• Service Development: Contribute to the development of the service and champion inclusion across the Family Hub and Best Start networks

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

ESSENTIAL

• Experience of working with children aged 0–5 with complex needs and disabilities


• Experience of working with parents on joint assessment, review and teaching strategies


• Good oral and written communication skills with a range of audiences


• Ability to select and use a range of assessment techniques


• Ability to plan, set targets and review progress for individual children


• Competency in core IT skills


• Knowledge of early child development


• Effective working knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework


• Knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice


• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills


• Ability to manage own time effectively and plan a diary


• Ability to work effectively in a team or individually


• Ability to drive and work anywhere in the county


• Ability to use active listening skills


• NVQ3, NNEB or equivalent qualification in education or childcare


• Ability to speak fluent English in order to communicate fully with clients and the public


• Right to work in the UK without sponsorship

DESIRABLE

• Experience of working as part of a multi-agency team


• Experience of a range of early years provision and practice


• Experience of working using the Portage model


• Ability to prepare and deliver training to a range of audiences


• Ability to use appropriate teaching techniques and strategies for the individual child


• Knowledge about complex needs affecting children aged 0–5


• Knowledge of current early years issues


• Ability to recognise and identify own training needs


• Additional Special Educational Needs qualification


• Other relevant qualification, such as counselling

BENEFITS

• Generous annual leave scheme


• Excellent local government pension


• Fantastic employee discounts

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check

JOB REF: AWDO-C15122