Extended Support Practitioner

East Sussex County Council; Eastbourne; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

East Sussex County Council is seeking an Extended Support Practitioner within the Inclusion and Alternative Provision Team. The role focuses on improving outcomes for children with additional needs by working with families, schools, and professionals to promote inclusion and positive educational experiences.

You will develop and deliver targeted interventions, involve families from early planning, and help schools follow statutory guidance. Interviews on Tue 8 Sept 2026 at County Hall, Lewes.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with children and young people with additional needs.
• Ability to build positive relationships with families, schools and partner agencies.
• Understanding of inclusion, behaviour and supporting positive outcomes for children and young people.
• Ability to provide advice and guidance confidently and effectively.
• Highly organised with ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver interventions for children and young people.
• Collaborate with families to involve them in planning support from the earliest stage.
• Support schools to follow relevant statutory guidance and legislation.
• Contribute to training and awareness-raising activities.
• Help ensure timely, effective support to enable better outcomes.

Skills

Experience with children and youngpeo

Job description

Job Description

Are you passionate about helping children and young people overcome barriers and achieve positive outcomes? If you enjoy working collaboratively with families, schools and professionals, and are committed to supporting children with additional needs to thrive, this could be the role for you.

As an Extended Support Practitioner within the Inclusion and Alternative Provision Team, you will play a key role in improving outcomes for children and young people with additional needs. Working closely with children, families and educational settings, you will provide targeted support that promotes inclusion, engagement and positive educational experiences.

You will develop and deliver interventions for children and young people, work alongside families to ensure they are involved in planning support from the earliest stage, and support schools to follow relevant statutory guidance and legislation. You will also contribute to training and awareness-raising activities, helping educational settings develop their understanding of behaviour and evidence-based practice.

Working closely with the Team Leader: Extended Support and a team of experienced Extended Support Practitioners, you will help ensure children and families receive timely, effective support that enables them to achieve the best possible outcomes.

We Are Looking For Candidates Who

• Have experience of working with children and young people with additional needs
• Can develop positive and effective relationships with families, schools and partner agencies
• Have an understanding of inclusion, behaviour and supporting positive outcomes for children and young people
• Can provide advice and guidance confidently and effectively
• Are highly organised and able to manage competing priorities within a fast-paced environment

Please download the Job Description and Person Specification for more information.

Interviews will take place on Tuesday 8 September 2026 in person at County Hall, Lewes. If you are unavailable on this date, let us know and we may be able to schedule an alternative interview date.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly skilled and supportive team within the Education Division on a fixed-term basis covering parental leave until 31 August 2027.

The Extended Support Team works creatively and collaboratively with children, families and educational settings to overcome barriers to learning and participation. As part of the team, you will have opportunities to contribute to both direct support and wider strategic developments, helping shape practice that improves outcomes for children and young people across East Sussex.

You will be joining a team that is passionate about inclusion, committed to continuous improvement and dedicated to delivering high-quality support that enables children and young people to thrive.

We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Natasha Wilson, Extended Support Team Leader, 07706715336.

Choose East Sussex!

About Us

Additional Information

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record . Please note that we require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad.

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.

If you require sponsorship to work in the UK please let the hiring manager know this in your application so we can check eligibility for sponsorship for the role. For further information please go to https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.