Inclusion Practitioner - Best Start Team

How you'll make a difference:

The Early Years team is responsible for delivering the council's statutory duties relating to education, including ensuring a sufficient supply of high-quality early years places. The team forms part of the Education, Learning and Skills Division within the Department for People.

As a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner, you will provide flexible, responsive and hands-on support to children aged 0-5 and their families across Family Hubs, community settings and family homes. You will play a key role in ensuring that children receive high-quality, inclusive early support, with a particular focus on reaching families who may experience barriers to accessing services.

What you will be doing:

• You will play a key role in engaging with families, early years providers, health professionals and community partners to identify and respond to needs at the earliest opportunity. Through collaborative working, you will promote positive outcomes for children and help ensure every child has the best possible start in life.
• A core aspect of the role will be supporting and empowering families to access the services they need, particularly where complex needs are identified. You will provide guidance and signposting to colleagues, professionals and partner agencies to ensure children and families receive timely and effective support.
• Using evidence-based screening and observation tools, including information gathered through the 2-2½ year health review and other referral pathways, you will identify children who may require additional support. You will work closely with health and education partners to recognise and respond to emerging needs, helping to address barriers to learning and development at the earliest stage.
• You will provide practical advice, coaching and modelling of inclusive practice within Family Hubs, community settings and family homes. In addition, you will connect families with trusted voluntary, community and faith sector organisations, peer support networks and local services that can further enhance outcomes for children and their families.
• Through the delivery of targeted interventions, group activities and programmes, such as sensory stay and play sessions, you will help improve opportunities and support for vulnerable children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and their families.
• It will be your responsibility to maintain accurate records and produce high-quality reports and documentation, ensuring all statutory and organisational requirements are met and deadlines are consistently achieved.

What we need from you:

• It is essential you hold a Level 3 qualification in early years, education, health, SEND or a related discipline.
• You will have a minimum of two years' post-qualification experience of working with young children with SEND, together with experience of supporting parents and carers through advice, coaching, signposting and the delivery of training and information sessions.
• We are looking for someone who has a sound understanding of SEND processes and systems, child development from birth to five years, family support pathways and the principles of delivering high-quality, inclusive early years provision.
• Given to nature of the role, you must have strong interpersonal and communication skills, enabling you to develop effective relationships and work collaboratively with children, families, colleagues and partner agencies. You will be confident in engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and adapting your approach to meet individual needs.
• You will have strong analytical and organisational skills, with the ability to undertake research, evaluate information and present findings clearly and concisely through accurate reports and documentation.
• We require you to have good IT and presentation skills, with the ability to design and deliver training, group sessions and briefings to a range of audiences.

What you need to know:

• Please note that due to the nature of this role, it is a requirement of employment that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained.
• You will be expected to travel throughout the authority and surrounding area so you must have a full, valid driving licence with regular access to a vehicle or have an alternative means of travel.
• Business insurance will need to be added to your insurance policy.
• You will be based at our offices in Badminton Road, Yate and at one of our Best Start Family Hubs located in Patchway, Staple Hill or Yate.
• We have three full time, permanent positions to fill.

Interviews will be held on 14th and 15th September 2026.

How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different:

• As part of our benefits package, you will receive generous annual leave (pro rata), employee wellbeing support and you will have access to a range of staff discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities.
• We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.
• We know our team work best when they have balance in their lives, and we offer genuine flexibility to help them achieve that work/life balance.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Ensuring all our staff are given right skills, knowledge and support to recognise and respond effectively to potential abuse or neglect.

Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.

• We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of.
• We're working with the most vulnerable in our community to help them achieve what they want in life.
We're investing in our schools to ensure every child and young person in South Gloucestershire achieves their full potential.

We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.

We’re making a difference, be part of it!

To view the full job description, please click this link: Best Start Inclusion Practitioner - Job Description