Inclusion Support Worker

LB Barking and Dagenham; Padham's Green; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Barking & Dagenham is seeking a Best Start Inclusion Support Worker to support children aged 0-5 and their families. You will help identify developmental needs, co-deliver Stay and Play sessions, home learning and nursery readiness programmes, and promote inclusive practice across community services.

Role involves travel across Barking and Dagenham, face-to-face delivery, safeguarding commitment, and strong record-keeping. Fixed-term 28 months, salary £31,290 per year, based in the borough.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with children, families or communities
• Knowledge of child development and supporting children with diverse needs
• Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience in relevant discipline or demonstrated experience
• Organised and able to maintain accurate records and comply with GDPR

Responsibilities

• Co-deliver Stay and Play sessions, home learning and nursery readiness programmes.
• Provide practical support to children and families to improve developmental outcomes.
• Create welcoming, inclusive environments where all children can participate and thrive.
• Promote inclusion and effective communication with families and partner organisations

Skills

Experience with children and families

Engaging families

Deliver group activities

Education

Level 3 qualification in Early Years / Child Development / Education / Health / Social Care or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Best Start Inclusion Support Worker

Ref: COMM00365

Contract Type: Fixed Term - 28 Months

Salary: £31,290

About this job

As a Best Start Inclusion Support Worker, you will play a vital frontline role in supporting children aged 0-5 and their families through the Best Start Family Hubs. Working alongside the Best Start Inclusion Practitioner, you will help identify emerging developmental and SEND needs at an early stage, support the delivery of targeted interventions, and promote inclusive practice across a range of community- based services.

You will co-deliver inclusive Stay and Play sessions, home learning and nursery readiness programmes, and provide practical support to children and families to improve developmental outcomes. Through your work, you will help create welcoming and accessible environments where all children can participate, thrive and reach their full potential.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of children and families by promoting inclusion, strengthening home learning environments and supporting children's communication, independence and school readiness.

Special requirements for this post

• Ability to travel across Barking and Dagenham to support the delivery of services, activities and community-based programmes.
• Ability to work in a predominantly face-to-face community-based role.
• Commitment to safeguarding children and working in line with safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Ability to work flexibly across Family Hub locations and community settings to meet the needs of children and families.
• Commitment to maintaining accurate records and adhering to GDPR, confidentiality and information governance requirements.

About you

You will be passionate about supporting young children and families and committed to ensuring every child has the best possible start in life. You will have experience of working with children, families or communities and an understanding of early intervention approaches that improve outcomes for children.

You will have knowledge of child development and be able to support children with a range of developmental and additional needs. You will be confident engaging families, delivering group activities and building positive relationships with children, parents, colleagues and partner organisations.

Ideally, you will hold a Level 3 qualification in Early Years, Child Development, Education, Health, Social Care or a related discipline, or have equivalent relevant experience. You will be organised, able to maintain accurate records, confident using Microsoft Office applications, and committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Most importantly, you will be enthusiastic about helping children develop the communication, independence and social skills they need to flourish at home, in early years settings and beyond.

About us

Barking & Dagenham is changing. It Starts Here.

Think you know Barking and Dagenham? Think again. While this small corner of east London might have a reputation for needing development, scratch beneath the surface and you'll find active communities and a place that consistently punches above its weight. The borough is changing - and changing for the better. And It Starts Here.

Yes, the borough has its challenges. But it's on the cusp of something exciting. With one of the youngest populations in the country, ambitions are high and rightly so. 98% of our schools are rated Good or Outstanding and every year more of our talented teenagers get into Russell Group Universities and hotly sought after apprenticeship schemes.

We have award winning parks, centuries old manor houses full of relics and artifacts you can go and see, and the ruins of one of Anglo-Saxon England's most powerful and wealthiest religious sites. We're even bringing beavers and white storks to the borough to help rewild the local landscape and boost biodiversity.

Over the past few years, we've been working hard to improve how we deliver services and support our community. From tackling inequality to making sure our services are the best they can be, we're focused on what matters most to local people.

We're creating the conditions for people to thrive - so everyone can enjoy a good quality of life, feel proud to call this place home, and be part of something bigger.

- with our streets, our schools, our neighbourhoods. And with your application to join our determined team who are passionate about doing what's best for the future of Barking and Dagenham.

As an Investors in People Gold Award employer, we're serious about supporting our staff. From flexible working, professional training and career development to wellbeing initiatives, we want our people to feel valued and supported in everything they do.

Additional Information

We're committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any adjustments or support at any stage, please contact the Hiring Manager to discuss your needs.

Interview date (Week Commencing): 02/11/2026

Closing date: 08/10/2026