Early Years Leader

First Step Opportunity Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A charitable organization in Greater London is seeking an Early Years Leader to oversee services for families with children who have special needs. The ideal candidate will have relevant qualifications, strong leadership skills, and experience working with children in challenging situations. Responsibilities include managing a team, ensuring safeguarding protocols are in place, and providing outstanding support to families. The position offers a permanent contract with flexibility for part-time hours.

Benefits

6.6 weeks annual leave

Employer pension contributions after 3 months

Qualifications

• Experience working with families of children with special needs and disabilities.
• Ability to work one-on-one with children and in groups.
• Experience in training and leading team members.

Responsibilities

• Coordinating a small team of staff and volunteers.
• Managing day-to-day operations of services.
• Ensuring safeguarding and child protection procedures are followed.

Skills

Experience with children with special needs

Leadership skills

Safeguarding knowledge

Strong communication skills

Education

Relevant Early Years qualification

Job description

Early Years Leader

First Step – London, Greater London, Hornchurch (On-Site) – Full time from £41,113 to £45,750 (Term Time + 2 weeks – Pro Rata £34,645 to £38,688) – Permanent Contract – Part time hours a possibility.

Job Description

Are you an Early Years Educator passionate about transforming the lives of families of babies and young children with special needs and/or disabilities? First Step is a charity based in the London Borough of Havering, that for over 37 years has supported more than 1,700 families and their children. Families are referred or self‑refer to us at a moment of crisis or uncertainty, fearing all is not well with their child. We provide an array of family‑centred services tailored to each family and their child’s needs.

We are looking for an appropriately qualified Early Years Educator to take over from our current postholder who will be experienced in working with families of children with special needs and disabilities, particularly those with social communication difficulties. They will be able to work with families and children on a one‑to‑one basis or in groups, as well as having the presence and experience to model outstanding skills and techniques in a way that empowers others. They will be committed to ensuring that every family and child that is supported by First Step feels welcomed and cared for and are at all times treated with dignity and respect. They will train, motivate and lead from the front, a team of Early Years Workers, both staff and volunteers, so that the First Step values are in evidence.

You will be a friendly, capable and professional leader who is able to co‑ordinate a small team of staff and volunteers. You will be enthusiastic about working with the children and their families in sometimes challenging situations. You will have a good understanding and experience of safeguarding and child protection procedures and be able to manage a demanding workload. It will be a hands‑on role, ensuring there are robust systems in place and that the best outcomes possible are achieved for the children and families we support. The postholder is responsible for overseeing the day to day operational and administrative functions of the services we deliver.

Key Information

Location: Hornchurch, London Borough of Havering

Contract: Full Time or Part Time (Permanent Contract)

Hours: Monday – Friday 08:30 – 17:00

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Closing Date: Midday 18th December 2025 (early application is advised as it could close earlier if we receive a high level of interest).

Application: Please submit a CV and covering letter of no more than 3 sides of A4, explaining your motivation for applying and your relevant skills and experience and how you meet the requirements of the role.

Annual Leave: 6.6 weeks holiday per annum including bank holidays – pro rata for part time. Pension: Employer pension contributions after 3 months.

Equality and Diversity

First Step is committed to working with children, parents, staff, volunteers and the community to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. We have a duty to carry out the appropriate procedures if we believe that a child or vulnerable adult may be subject to any form of abuse.

First Step is committed to making sure it provides equality of opportunity through employment and service delivery. First Step’s approach to Equality and Diversity is based on the principle of inclusion. At its heart is a commitment to the value that all staff bring to the organisation because of their diverse characteristics (race, gender, disability, age, marital status, sexuality, religion, background, personality and work style).

Please be aware that a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required under the provision of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.