Family Support Practitioner Early Learning For Twos (ELF2)

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives. Fixed Term Contract (until 31/08/2028)

Are you passionate about supporting children and families to access early education, early help and the right support at the right time? Would you like to be part of an exciting opportunity to improve outcomes for two-year-olds and their families across Bath and North East Somerset by helping children take up their early years education entitlement and supporting parents to understand the value of early learning?

Based within the Best Start Early Help Team / Children’s Centres, Bright Start Children’s Centre Services are looking for a highly motivated Family Support Practitioner to join the Best Start Early Help Team, with a specific focus on Early Learning for Twos.

About the role: This role will involve working directly with families, early years providers and partner agencies to identify children who are not yet accessing their two-year-old early education entitlement and to help remove barriers to participation. The postholder will work in family homes, Family Hubs, Children’s Centres and community settings to build trusted relationships with parents and carers. The role will involve promoting the benefits of early education, supporting families to access suitable childcare or early years education, sharing early learning strategies to enhance development and signposting families to wider Best Start Family Hub groups, interventions and support.

The successful candidate will:

• Have experience of working directly with children, young people and families with a range of needs, using a strengths-based and “think family” approach.
• Understand child development, early learning, attachment, trauma and the factors that can affect outcomes for children and families.
• Be confident working in partnership with Health Visiting, Family Nurse Partnership, Family Help, Children’s Social Care, early years settings, childminders and voluntary sector organisations.
• Be able to engage families sensitively and creatively, including families who may be experiencing barriers to accessing early education or wider support.
• Have strong communication, organisation and record-keeping skills, with the ability to contribute to performance monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Work well as part of a team to deliver the BEST services for local families and improve children’s outcomes.

We prioritise the development and delivery of trauma-informed, inclusive and systemic practice. This role requires motivation, flexibility, curiosity, persistence and a positive approach to working alongside families and partners. You will also need to be able to travel across Bath and North East Somerset to meet with families, professionals and agencies.

We welcome applications from people from Black and minority ethnic communities, people with a disability, and male workers who are currently underrepresented in this service. You will be required to work to the BEST values of Bath and North East Somerset Council: Bold, Empowering, Supportive and Transparent.

If you are interested in this post and require more details or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Heidi Limbert, Children’s Centre Services Manager or Claire Woolcock, Children’s Centre Co-ordinator.

Interview date: TBC No Agencies Please. Please note: that this advert may close earlier than the stated closing date due to high demand. We advise all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.

About Bath and North East Somerset Council. Working at Bath and North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

Why Bath and North East Somerset Council? We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. We are a Disability Confident Employer. The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check. Safeguarding Statement: The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.