School Navigator

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

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous annual leave

LGPS pension

Job summary

Hampshire County Council is seeking a School Navigator to join a countywide Early Help team. You will work with schools, children, families to provide timely early help and enable access to services before concerns escalate.

This role requires collaboration with Education, Social Care and partner agencies, travel across Hampshire, maintaining records and generating clear reports.

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification (or above) in early years, education, health, child development or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrable experience working with children and their families to improve outcomes in early help, education, early years, or social care.
• Knowledge of child development and an understanding of the impact of disadvantage on children and families.
• Strong communication, relationship‑building, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively, use initiative, maintain accurate records and demonstrate professional integrity.

Responsibilities

• Directly support schools and education settings to provide early help to children and families at the earliest opportunity.
• Identify gaps and opportunities, helping schools build capacity and capability in identifying early help needs and facilitating support.
• Help schools and families access the right services and resources by connecting them with local support and recommending further intervention where needed.
• Be a locality expert for early help, enabling shared awareness between schools and Family Help teams of vulnerable children and ensuring appropriate support is in place where needed.
• Work collaboratively with education, health, social care, police and community organisations to strengthen and develop early help provision for children and families through schools.
• Identify and elevate safeguarding concerns in line with organisational procedures, while maintaining accurate records and preparing clear, high-quality reports.

Skills

Communication skills

Relationship building

Influencing

Negotiation

Collaborative working

Record keeping

Professional integrity

Education

Level 3 qualification or above

Experience with children aged 0-19 in education/early years

Job description

Job Reference:HCC625168
Salary Range: £34,273 - £37,570 per annum
Work Location: Countywide, Hampshire (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37 (part-time hours will be considered at 18.5 hours per week)
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 22 October 2026

The Role:

Joining us in a brand-new role as a School Navigator, you'll play a vital role in helping schools, children, young people and families achieve positive, lasting change across Hampshire. As part of a newly established countywide Early Help team, you'll provide timely support that helps schools build early help capability and capacity, while enabling families to overcome challenges, build resilience and access the right services before concerns escalation.

With a proactive nature and a collaborative, problem-solving approach, you'll work directly with schools to identify solutions, promote positive change and improve outcomes for children. Working closely with Education and Social Care colleagues and partner agencies, you'll ensure children's needs remain at the centre of decision-making while empowering families to build on their strengths and achieve positive outcomes.

What you’ll do:

• Directly support schools and education settings to provide early help to children and families at the earliest opportunity.
• Identify gaps and opportunities, helping schools build capacity and capability in identifying early help needs and facilitating support.
• Help schools and families access the right services and resources by connecting them with local support and recommending further intervention where needed.
• Be a locality expert for early help, enabling shared awareness between schools and Family Help teams of vulnerable children and ensuring appropriate support is in place where needed.
• Work collaboratively with education, health, social care, police and community organisations to strengthen and develop early help provision for children and families through schools.
• Identify and elevate safeguarding concerns in line with organisational procedures, while maintaining accurate records and preparing clear, high-quality reports.

What we’re looking for:

• Level 3 qualification (or above) in early years, education, health, child development or a related field, or equivalent experience of working with children and young people aged 0-19 in education or early years settings.
• Demonstrable experience working with children and their families to improve outcomes in early help, education, early years, or social care.
• Knowledge of child development and an understanding of the impact of disadvantage on children and families.
• Strong communication, relationship‑building, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively, use initiative, maintain accurate records and demonstrate professional integrity.

• Be part of a newly created countywide team helping to shape and strengthen Hampshire's Early Help offer.
• Enjoy a varied and rewarding role where you'll engage with a range of stakeholders to make a meaningful difference to schools, children and families through timely intervention and partnership working.
• 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. Find more information here .

We have multiple vacancies available across Hampshire, based in the following localities: Basingstoke, Test Valley (Andover), East Hampshire (Alton), New Forest (Totton), Hart & Rushmoor (Aldershot and Farnborough), Eastleigh & Winchester, Fareham & Gosport, and Havant.

Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.

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.

Other job titles you may be searching for include: Family Support Practitioner, Early Help Practitioner, Early Intervention Practitioner, Family Intervention Practitioner, School Family Support Worker, Family Liaison Worker.

Travel Requirements:

You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.

The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.