School Navigator

Hampshire County Council; Hollywater; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Assured Employee Assistance

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave entitlement

Occupational sick pay

Job summary

Hampshire County Council is recruiting a School Navigator to support schools, children, young people and families across the county with early help and prevention. In a new countywide Early Help team you will identify needs, connect families with services, collaborate with health, social care and education colleagues, and travel to multiple locations to make a tangible difference.

You will engage with a range of partners, promote positive change, and ensure decisions remain child-centred while

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification in early years, education, health or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Experience of working with children and young people aged 0-19.
• Willing to travel across Hampshire with access to a reliable vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Directly support schools to provide early help to children and families at the earliest opportunity.
• Identify gaps and build capacity for early help needs within schools.
• Help families access services by connecting them with local support.
• Be a locality expert for early help and coordinate with Family Help teams.
• Collaborate with education, health, social care, police and community organisations.
• Elevate safeguarding concerns and maintain accurate records and reports.
• Travel to locations within Hampshire with a valid driving licence and vehicle.

Skills

Proactive

Collaborative

Problem-solving

Willingness to travel

Education

Level 3 qualification in early years/education/health/child development

Equivalent experience with children aged 0-19

Tools

Driving licence

Job description

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