Inclusive Early Years Practitioner — Best Start & SEND

Cornwall Council Jobs and Careers; England; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Defined benefit pension

Annual leave entitlement

Health & wellbeing programme

Employee discounts

Job summary

Cornwall Council is looking for a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner to support young children aged 0–5 and their families to promote inclusive practice across Cornwall Family Hubs.

You will observe, assess, and plan with families and professionals, delivering coaching to practitioners and coordinating with health, education, and social care partners to ensure timely, high-quality early education outcomes.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of child development, inclusion, and SEND within the early years.
• Experience of working with children aged 0–5 and their families.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and multi-agency working skills.
• Ability to provide advice, coaching, and practical support to practitioners and parents.
• Understanding of EYFS, SEND legislation, and family-centred approaches.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice, guidance, and practical support to families and early years settings across Cornwall to promote inclusive practice.
• Work directly with children aged 0–5 who may have emerging or identified SEND, supporting their development, participation, and learning.
• Undertake observations, assessments, and support planning in partnership with families and professionals.
• Support parents/carers to understand and meet their child\'s developmental and additional needs.
• Deliver coaching, modelling, and training to early years practitioners to enhance inclusive practice.
• Work collaboratively with Family Hub teams, health professionals, education providers, and other agencies to coordinate effective support.
• Facilitate early identification of need and access to appropriate services and interventions.
• Monitor, review, and evaluate the impact of support provided to children, families, and settings.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with safeguarding, EYFS, SEND Code of Practice, and relevant local policies.

Skills

Child development

Inclusion

SEND knowledge

Communication

Coaching

Multi-agency working

Advisory skills

EYFS knowledge

Job description

Cornwall Council is looking for a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner to support young children aged 0–5 and their families to promote inclusive practice across Cornwall Family Hubs.

You will observe, assess, and plan with families and professionals, delivering coaching to practitioners and coordinating with health, education, and social care partners to ensure timely, high-quality early education outcomes.