At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children aged 0-5 with additional needs and empower families through practical advice.
- Company: Sheffield City Council, dedicated to improving early years support for children and families.
- Benefits: Professional development, flexible working options, and generous holiday entitlement.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion in Sheffield.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and help create an inclusive community.
- Qualifications: Experience with young children, understanding of child development, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 31981 - 39087 £ per year.
The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
- Children's Services | Best Start Family Hubs | 0-5 SEND Support Service
- Early identification, inclusion and timely support for every child
Are you passionate about helping children get the best possible start in life?
Sheffield City Council is looking for enthusiastic and skilled practitioners to join our growing Best Start Family Hubs team as
Best Start Inclusion Practitioners (BSIPs) .
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a pioneering early years SEND programme that will help children with emerging additional needs access support earlier, closer to home and before difficulties escalates.
Working across local communities and Family Hubs, you will provide practical, preventative and relationship-based support to children aged 0-5, their families and the early years workforce.
You will play a key role in strengthening inclusion, building confidence and helping children participate, learn and thrive in their communities.
About the Role
As a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner, you will
- Support the early identification of developmental and SEND needs in children aged 0-5.
- Work directly with families, early years settings and community services to provide practical advice and strategies.
- Help identify barriers to participation, learning and development through observation and professional discussion.
- Coach and support early years practitioners to develop inclusive practice and confidence.
- Deliver support within Family Hubs, community venues, homes and early years settings.
- Work collaboratively with education, health, social care and voluntary sector partners.
- Promote inclusion and early intervention, ensuring families receive the right support at the right time.
- Contribute to Sheffield's vision for a more inclusive and joined-up early years system.
- Who We're Looking For
We are seeking motivated and compassionate professionals who
- Have experience working with young children and families.
- Understand child development and the importance of early intervention.
- Are passionate about inclusion and improving outcomes for children with additional needs.
- Can build positive relationships with families and professionals from different backgrounds.
- Are skilled communicators with the ability to coach and empower others.
- Thrive in partnership working and are committed to multi-agency collaboration.
- Can work flexibly across communities and localities.
Applications are welcomed from practitioners with backgrounds in early years, SEND, family support, education, health, childcare, community development or related fields.
Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to help shape a new city-wide offer that sits at the heart of Sheffield's Best Start vision. You will:
- Be part of a new and innovative service.
- Receive professional development and specialist training.
- Work alongside Family Hubs, SEND, health and community partners.
- Make a real difference to children and families at the earliest possible stage.
- Help create a more inclusive Sheffield where every child belongs and can thrive.
- Our Vision
We believe that children and families should be able to access support early, without waiting for crisis, diagnosis or statutory processes.
Through the Best Start Family Hubs programme, we are creating accessible, inclusive and joined-up support that improves outcomes for children and strengthens family resilience.
Join us and help ensure every child in Sheffield has the best possible start in life.
We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups.
We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve.
We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.
It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.
Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form.
Sometimes, if lots of people apply, we might not be able to interview everyone who qualifies for the Guarantee.
In these cases, we’ll interview the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job.
Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement.
We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.
If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade.
If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.
Equality of pay is extremely important to us.
All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026.
Find out more on our Sheff news page.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyoneand where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.
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Best Start in Life Practitioner in Sheffield employer: Beighton
Sheffield City Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the children they serve. With flexible working options and a strong commitment to professional development, this role provides meaningful opportunities for growth in children's social care, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals to make a real difference in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Best Start in Life Practitioner in Sheffield
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Beighton.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Beighton!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Beighton, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Beighton or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Best Start in Life Practitioner in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Beighton:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Beighton! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Beighton
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
