At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with additional needs and empower families through inclusive practices.
- Company: Bristol City Council, dedicated to transforming support for children and families.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, pension scheme, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusion and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and shape an innovative service in Bristol.
- Qualifications: Experience with children with special educational needs and strong partnership-working skills.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
6x Full Time (37 hours), Permanent across Bristol's Family Hub localities
Help us transform support for children with additional needs in Bristol.
Are you passionate about inclusion and making a real difference for children and families
Bristol City Council is recruiting Best Start Inclusion Practitioners to join our expanding Best Start Family Hubs offer across the city.
Bristol continues to develop its Best Start Family Hubs offer, ensuring babies, young children and families can access the right help, at the right time, in the right place.
As part of this work, we are recruiting a team of Best Start Inclusion Practitioners across our three Family Hub localities.
These nationally recognised roles are central to the Government's Family Hubs vision and offer a unique opportunity to help shape a new service, strengthen inclusive practice across the city and make a lasting difference for children and families.
Early identification and support can have a significant impact on children's development, wellbeing and future outcomes.
Best Start Inclusion Practitioners provide early, flexible and responsive support for children with emerging developmental, SEND or additional needs, ensuring families can access help without waiting for a diagnosis.
Working through Family Hubs and in partnership with early years settings, schools, health services and SEND partners, you will:
- Work directly with children aged 0–5 and their families through Family Hubs, outreach locations and home visits, delivering both one-to-one support and group activities.
- Provide practical advice, guidance and short-term interventions for children with emerging developmental, SEND or additional needs.
- Support families to understand their child's development and confidently access the right services and support.
- Work alongside health visitors, speech and language therapists, early years settings, schools, SEND services and other key partners to promote early identification and intervention.
- Champion inclusive practice across Family Hubs and help develop the confidence and skills of the wider workforce.
- Contribute to Bristol's wider SEND improvement and Family Hub development programmes.
We're looking for people who are passionate about inclusion and committed to improving outcomes for children and families.
You will have experience of working with children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and their families, together with:
- Strong knowledge of child development, including language, communication and social-emotional development.
- Experience of assessing need and delivering targeted interventions with children and families.
- Excellent partnership-working skills and experience of multi-agency working.
- A commitment to empowering families and ensuring they can access support at the earliest opportunity.
Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.
Why Bristol City Council?
At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation.
For the majority of our roles hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice - mixing both home and office working.
Join us and you’ll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance.
In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.
How do I apply?
If you share our values and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below.
To be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application.
On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.
We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people.
Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview.
We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.
For further information, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification or alternatively, please contact Lucy Hudd Lucy. hudd@bristol. gov. uk
If you are ready to help shape an innovative new service and support Bristol's children and families to achieve the best possible start in life, we'd love to hear from you.
At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve.
We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community.
Appointments will be made on merit.
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Best Start Inclusion Practitioner in Bristol employer: Bristol City Council
Bristol City Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. As a Trauma-Informed Recovery Navigator, you will benefit from flexible working hours and generous leave allowances, allowing you to balance your personal and professional life while making a meaningful impact in the community. Join us in a role that not only fosters collaboration with various services but also empowers you to contribute to the recovery journey of individuals facing complex challenges.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Best Start Inclusion Practitioner in Bristol
✨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 Bristol City Council.
✨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 Bristol City Council!
✨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 Bristol City Council, 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 Bristol City Council 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 Inclusion Practitioner in Bristol
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 Bristol City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Bristol City Council! 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 Bristol City Council
✨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.
