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Hampshire County Council; Alton; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Assured programme

Hybrid working pattern

Competitive annual leave entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme

Job summary

Hampshire County Council in Alton is seeking a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner to help young children with emerging or identified additional needs access the right support at the earliest opportunity. You will work across the Best Start Family Hubs network, champion inclusion and help ensure every child has the best possible start in life.

You will collaborate with health, education and SEND services, maintain records, and ensure safeguarding and information governance compliance while

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification in early years, education, health, SEND, child development or a related field.
• Experience of working with children aged 0-5 with SEND and their families.
• Experience of multi‑agency working across education, health and family services.
• Strong knowledge of early child development, early intervention, inclusive practice and SEND pathways.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work independently, manage challenging situations and use sound professional judgement.
• Make a meaningful difference to children's lives by ensuring families receive the right support at the right time.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct support, advice and interventions to families with children aged 0-5 who have emerging or identified additional needs.
• Use evidence-based observation and screening tools to identify needs early and help plan appropriate support.
• Work collaboratively with health, early years, schools, SEND, local parent groups and community and voluntary sector partners to coordinate support and improve outcomes.
• Promote inclusive practice across the Best Start Family Hub network and early years settings, supporting access to early education entitlements and successful transitions into school.
• Maintain accurate records, monitor progress and evaluate impact, ensuring all work is delivered in line with safeguarding and information governance requirements.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Independent work

Professional judgement

Multi‑agency collaboration

Education

Level 3 qualification in early years/related field

Job description

As a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner, you'll play a vital role in helping young children with emerging or identified additional needs access the right support at the earliest opportunity. Working across the Best Start Family Hubs network, you'll champion inclusion, improve developmental outcomes and help ensure every child has the best possible start in life.

This is a rewarding role where you'll work directly with children and families, build strong partnerships with professionals across health, education and SEND services, and contribute to a coordinated, responsive support system. Your work will help reduce inequalities, strengthen family confidence and ensure more children can reach their full potential through timely, inclusive support.

What you'll do

• Provide direct support, advice and interventions to families with children aged 0-5 who have emerging or identified additional needs.
• Use evidence-based observation and screening tools to identify needs early and help plan appropriate support.
• Work collaboratively with health, early years, schools, SEND, local parent groups and community and voluntary sector partners to coordinate support and improve outcomes.
• Promote inclusive practice across the Best Start Family Hub network and early years settings, supporting access to early education entitlements and successful transitions into school.
• Maintain accurate records, monitor progress and evaluate impact, ensuring all work is delivered in line with safeguarding and information governance requirements.

What we're looking for

• Level 3 qualification in early years, education, health, SEND, child development or a related field.
• Experience of working with children aged 0-5 with SEND and their families.
• Experience of multi‑agency working across education, health and family services.
• Strong knowledge of early child development, early intervention, inclusive practice and SEND pathways.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work independently, manage challenging situations and use sound professional judgement.
• Make a meaningful difference to children's lives by ensuring families receive the right support at the right time.
• Be part of a collaborative, values‑driven service that is committed to inclusion, early intervention and improving outcomes for local families.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Why join us?

• Make a meaningful difference to children's lives by ensuring families receive the right support at the right time.
• Be part of a collaborative, values‑driven service that is committed to inclusion, early intervention and improving outcomes for local families.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Best Start Inclusion Practitioner

Company: Hampshire County Council
Salary: £34,273 to £37,570 a year
Hours: Full-time
Location: Alton, GU34 2DR
Working pattern: Hybrid - 2 days remote
Job type: Permanent

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Other job titles you may be searching for include: Early Years Inclusion Practitioner, Early Help Practitioner, Family Support Practitioner, SEND Practitioner, Family Hub Practitioner, Child Development Practitioner, Early Intervention Practitioner, Inclusion Support Practitioner.

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK.