Best Start in Life Inclusion Practitioner (Project Worker 1)
30-37 Hours per Week | Flexible and Part-Time Working Considered Based within one of Barnardo's Family Hubs across Plymouth
Make a Difference from the Very Start
Are you passionate about improving outcomes for babies and young children with additional needs? Do you have experience supporting children, families, and communities, and a commitment to inclusion and early intervention?
Barnardo's is seeking a dedicated and motivated Best Start in Life Inclusion Practitioner (BSIP) to join our Family Hub team in Plymouth. This is an exciting opportunity to help ensure that children aged 0-5 years with emerging or identified Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) receive the right support at the right time.
Working across Family Hubs, community settings, and partner organisations, you will play a vital role in supporting families, promoting inclusive practice, and helping children thrive during their earliest years.
About the Role
As a Best Start in Life Inclusion Practitioner, you will act as a bridge between early identification and effective support. You will work alongside families, early years providers, health professionals, and community organisations to ensure children with additional needs can access and participate fully in Family Hub and community services, making appropriate referrals and maintaining high-quality records and reports.
You will provide practical support and guidance to families, promote inclusive opportunities for children, and strengthen the confidence and capacity of universal services to meet diverse needs.
Deliver a range of SEND focused interventions, in groups and on a one-to-one bases, including parenting programmes, stay and play activities, workshops and drop in sessions.
Assess needs, plan and deliver bespoke support strategies which help children with SEND achieve positive outcomes.
About Our Family Hubs
Barnardo's has delivered Children's Centre and Family Hub services across Plymouth since 2011 and currently oversees seven Family Hubs. Working alongside Action for Children and LARK, we provide a joined-up network of support for children, young people, and families across the city.
Our Family Hubs offer:
- Play, learning, and development opportunities for children.
- Evidence-based parenting and health programmes.
- Specialist and targeted family support.
- Support for families affected by domestic abuse.
- Comprehensive one-to-one family interventions.
- Strong safeguarding and child-centred practice.
- Opportunities for volunteering, participation, and community engagement.
Essential criteria
- Level 3 or above qualification in social care, health, education or early years.
- Experience of supporting SEND children and their families.
- Experience of working in a multi-agency social care, early years, education, health or early years environment and applying safeguarding procedures.
- Good IT skills with experience of maintaining high quality, accurate and concise case records and completing assessments, plans and reviews to achieve positive outcomes.
- Ability to undertake home visits and observations, complying with loan working, safeguarding and equality and diversity policies and procedures.
- Ability to communicate effectively with children, families and professionals maintaining professional relationships and boundaries.
Why Join Barnardo's?
At Barnardo's, we believe every child deserves the best possible start in life. By joining our team, you will:
- Make a meaningful difference to children's lives.
- Work within a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Develop your skills and experience in an innovative Family Hub model.
- Be part of an organisation committed to inclusion, equality, and positive outcomes for families.
Safeguarding
Barnardo's is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Successful applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including enhanced DBS checks and relevant childcare disqualification declarations.
Informal Discussion
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact:
Tracy Tucker
Children's Services Manager
07850 541263
tracy.tucker@barnardos.org.uk
Workplace Offer: What it means for you
- The ability to buy up to another 5 days annual leave via our Buy Your Leave scheme
- Service related sick pay from day 1
- Cycle2work scheme
- Interest free season ticket loans
- 20% discount at Barnardo's stores
- Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc
- Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support
- Access to Barnardo's Learning and Development offer
*T&C's apply based on contract
- Reference number:23894
- Job Title:Best Start in Life Inclusion Practitioners
- Location:Plymouth
- Locality:Plymouth Family Hubs
- Contract type:Permanent (Fixed term funded post)
- End date:31/03/2028
- Hours:30
- Salary:£26,003 (FTE) £21,083.51 (pro rata)
- Closing Date:23 October 2026
- Interview Date:30th October
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Best Start in Life Inclusion Practitioners in Plymouth employer: BARNARDOS
Barnardo's is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative work culture that prioritises flexibility and employee well-being. As a Strategic Finance Partner in Greater London, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on children's services while benefiting from professional growth and development within a supportive environment dedicated to improving the lives of young people.
