At a Glance
- Tasks: Support early identification of children's needs and provide inclusive family support.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to children's early development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives and promote inclusion in early years services.
- Qualifications: Experience with young children and understanding of SEND and inclusive practices.
The predicted salary is between 28598 - 31022 £ per year.
Team: Advisory Support Team
Job Family: Supporting - CBG7
Salary: £28,598 - £31,022 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week (3 positions across 3 localities)
Location: You will be expected to attend a CBC office location as often as needed to carry out your role, which will be no less than once per month.
Contract Type: Hybrid - Fixed Term until 31st March 2029
Closing Date: 14th July 2026
Interview Date: 30th and 31st July 2026
About the Role
Are you passionate about giving every child the very best start in life? Do you have a strong commitment to inclusion and early intervention? We have an exciting opportunity for a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner (BSIP) to join our dedicated Early Years SEND Advisory Team. The Best Start Inclusion Practitioner plays a key role within our Best Start Family Hubs, providing early, flexible, and inclusive support to babies, young children, and their families. You will help identify emerging additional needs at the earliest stage and respond with practical, family-centred support that strengthens developmental outcomes and promotes inclusion across services.
Key Responsibilities
- Support early identification of additional needs, using recognised tools such as the EYFS Progress Check at Age 2 and insights from the 2–2½ year health review.
- Provide practical advice, strategies, and modelling to families and early years settings to embed inclusive practices in everyday routines.
- Promote inclusive, high-quality universal provision, supporting reasonable adjustments and early interventions.
- Help families navigate local systems and services, ensuring they feel confident and supported.
- Work collaboratively with Area SENCOs, Family Hub teams, early years settings, health professionals, and other specialists.
- Strengthen the capacity of the wider Family Hub network to deliver inclusive support for all children.
Working Arrangements
Working within 2 Best Start Family Hubs across one locality area. Locality areas include: Dunstable and Houghton Regis / Leighton Buzzard and Flitwick / Ivel Valley. Standard Monday to Friday working pattern, with flexibility required to meet service needs.
About You
We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience working with young children (0–5) and SEND.
- Understands early child development and inclusive practice.
- Is confident using assessment tools to identify need early.
- Has excellent communication and partnership working skills.
- Is passionate about supporting families and improving outcomes for all children.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a forward-thinking, supportive team.
- Make a real impact on children’s early development and life chances.
- Work in a collaborative, multi-agency environment.
- Help shape inclusive practice across family hubs and early years services.
Our Offer
We have a number of rewards and benefits available to our staff, to view these please visit our Rewards and Benefits page.
Our aspiration is to be a truly flexible employer. We welcome discussion on location, hours and working pattern as part of the application process.
Safeguarding: Central Bedfordshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers and contractors to share this commitment. This post is subject to the disclosure of criminal records.
To maintain a fair and consistent approach for applicants, it is Central Bedfordshire Council's policy to only consider applications made via our online application system and we therefore thank you for not submitting your application offline.
Your application to us is a reflection of who you are professionally and should give us an accurate and authentic picture of your skills, experiences and if applicable qualifications.
All new starters will join us on a four‑month probationary period. During this time, if you are offered a Hybrid role you will be required to attend a Central Bedfordshire Council office location more frequently to support thorough and well‑supported onboarding into your role.
Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for our roles. Successful applicants that may require a visa will need to consider the options for obtaining and/or maintaining the legal right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the contract offered.
Career opportunities Best Start Inclusion Practitioner employer: Central Bedfordshire Council
Join Central Bedfordshire Council as a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner and be part of a forward-thinking, supportive team dedicated to making a real impact on children's early development and life chances. With a strong commitment to inclusion and early intervention, you'll enjoy a collaborative work culture that values flexibility and offers numerous opportunities for professional growth, all while working in vibrant Family Hubs across beautiful localities. Our comprehensive rewards and benefits package further enhances your experience, making us an excellent employer for those passionate about supporting families and improving outcomes for all children.
Contact Details:
Central Bedfordshire Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Career opportunities Best Start Inclusion Practitioner
✨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 Central Bedfordshire 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 Central Bedfordshire 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 Central Bedfordshire 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 Central Bedfordshire 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 Career opportunities Best Start Inclusion Practitioner
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 Central Bedfordshire Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Central Bedfordshire 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 Central Bedfordshire 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.
