Senior Early Years SEND & Inclusion Lead

Cheshire East Council; England; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

34 days annual leave

Hybrid/remote working where possible

Electric/hybrid car salary sacrifice

Home electronics salary sacrifice

Career average pension

Cycle to work

Employee assistance programme

Gym membership

Job summary

Cheshire East Council is seeking an experienced Senior Portage Best Start Inclusion Practitioner to lead the Portage Best Start team within the North Locality of the Family Hub. You will drive targeted early intervention for 0–5s, champion inclusion for children with SEND, and oversee home visiting and community outreach.

You will collaborate with families, early years settings, health professionals and partners to identify needs, coordinate interventions, and ensure safeguarding and

Qualifications

• Significant experience working with children aged 0–5 years and their families.
• Knowledge and understanding of SEND, inclusion and early years development.
• Experience of leading teams and supporting practitioner development.
• Demonstrates excellent partnership-working and communication skills.
• Experience of assessment, safeguarding and early intervention approaches.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate a team of Portage Best Start inclusion Practitioners.
• Deliver and oversee targeted early intervention and preventative services for children and families.
• Champion inclusive practice and support children with SEND to achieve their full potential.
• Deliver Portage home visiting support for children requiring enhanced transition and educational support.
• Support with facilitating parenting programmes, Stay and Play sessions, targeted groups, training and community activities.
• Support early identification of developmental concerns and coordinate effective interventions.
• Build strong partnerships with parents, carers, schools, early years settings, health colleagues and wider stakeholders.
• Ensure children and families are safeguarded and supported through robust assessment and intervention planning.
• Provide high‑quality supervision, performance management and professional development opportunities for practitioners.
• Have operational responsibility for the day‑to‑day management of a Family Hub, ensuring safe, welcoming and high‑quality environments.

Skills

SEND & Inclusion

Team Leadership

Partnership Working

Communication Skills

Safeguarding

Job description

Cheshire East Council is seeking an experienced Senior Portage Best Start Inclusion Practitioner to lead the Portage Best Start team within the North Locality of the Family Hub. You will drive targeted early intervention for 0–5s, champion inclusion for children with SEND, and oversee home visiting and community outreach.

You will collaborate with families, early years settings, health professionals and partners to identify needs, coordinate interventions, and ensure safeguarding and