Senior Best Start Inclusion Practitioner

Reading Borough Council; Reading; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday entitlement

Flexible working opportunities

Modern Civic Offices environment

Life Assurance 3x salary (LGPS)

On-site day nursery eligible (Kennet)

Season Ticket Loan

Lease car salary sacrifice

Job summary

Reading Borough Council is seeking a Senior Best Start Inclusion Practitioner to lead and develop the Best Start Inclusion Service within Reading's Family Hubs. The role delivers early intervention and inclusion support for 0-5s with SEND, while helping families access the right help at the right time.

You will supervise practitioners, manage referrals and caseloads, provide guidance and QA, and collaborate across Early Years, SEND, Health, Family Help and Children's Social Care to improve

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 qualification (or equivalent) in Early Years, Child Development, SEND, Health or related field.
• Substantial experience working with children aged 0-5 and their families.
• Extensive experience supporting children with emerging or identified SEND.
• Experience managing or supervising staff.
• Understands child development, inclusion and the graduated response.
• Excellent communication, leadership and relationship-building skills.
• Confident working across agencies and supporting complex family needs.
• Balance operational leadership with hands-on practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise and support a team of Best Start Inclusion Practitioners.
• Oversee referrals, caseloads and the delivery of the Best Start Inclusion offer.
• Provide professional guidance, quality assurance and service improvement leadership.
• Support early identification of SEND and promote effective early intervention.
• Deliver and oversee inclusive support within Family Hubs, homes and community settings.
• Work directly with children and families, providing practical advice, coaching and targeted interventions.
• Develop strong multi-agency partnerships to improve outcomes for children and families.
• Contribute to the development of Reading's integrated Family Hub SEND offer.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Relationship-building

Team supervision

Multi-agency collaboration

Education

NVQ Level 3 (Early Years / SEND)

Job description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Senior Best Start Inclusion Practitioner to lead and develop our Best Start Inclusion Service within Reading's Family Hubs.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key leadership role in delivering early intervention and inclusion support for children aged 0-5 with emerging or identified Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), while supporting families to access the right help at the right time.

As a senior practitioner, you will combine direct work with children and families with the leadership and supervision of a dedicated team of Best Start Inclusion Practitioners. You will work closely with colleagues across Early Years, SEND, Health, Family Help, Children's Social Care and community partners to ensure children and families receive high-quality, joined-up support

About the role

You will:

• Lead, supervise and support a team of Best Start Inclusion Practitioners.
• Oversee referrals, caseloads and the delivery of the Best Start Inclusion offer.
• Provide professional guidance, quality assurance and service improvement leadership.
• Support early identification of SEND and promote effective early intervention.
• Deliver and oversee inclusive support within Family Hubs, homes and community settings.
• Work directly with children and families, providing practical advice, coaching and targeted interventions.
• Develop strong multi-agency partnerships to improve outcomes for children and families.
• Contribute to the development of Reading's integrated Family Hub SEND offer

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Holds an NVQ Level 3 qualification (or equivalent) in Early Years, Child Development, SEND, Health or a related field.
• Has substantial experience working with children aged 0-5 and their families.
• Has extensive experience supporting children with emerging or identified SEND.
• Has experience managing or supervising staff.
• Understands child development, inclusion and the graduated response.
• Has excellent communication, leadership and relationship-building skills.
• Is confident working across agencies and supporting complex family needs.
• Can balance operational leadership with hands‑on practice.
• Is committed to improving outcomes for children and reducing inequalities

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team -

work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency -

show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious -

be demanding of our own performance - striving to be even better - and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading -

maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

Closing Date: Sunday 20th September 2026
Interview Date: 1st October 2026
Interview Process: To be confirmed