At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with SEND and promote inclusive practices in early years settings.
- Company: Join the City of York Council's dynamic Early Years and Childcare team.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, health initiatives, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for professional development and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and influence strategic development.
- Qualifications: Strong background in early years, understanding of SEND, and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about ensuring every child has the best possible start in life? We are seeking a committed and knowledgeable Early Years Inclusion Support Practitioner to join our dynamic Early Years and Childcare team. In this rewarding role, you will work across a wide range of early years settings to promote high-quality, inclusive practice for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and those facing barriers to learning.
You will lead quality assurance visits, evaluating the impact of funding such as Early Years Inclusion Funding and Disability Access Funding, ensuring resources are used effectively to improve outcomes. Working collaboratively with providers, SENDCo networks, and multi-agency partners, you will offer expert advice, support, and constructive challenge to drive continuous improvement. You will also contribute to training, develop case studies, and share best practice across the sector to strengthen inclusive provision city-wide.
We are looking for someone with a strong background in early years and inclusion, a sound understanding of SEND and statutory frameworks, and excellent communication and relationship-building skills. You should be confident working autonomously, analysing data, and producing high-quality reports, while maintaining a child-centred and solution-focused approach. This is a varied, hybrid role involving visits to early years settings, partnership working, and opportunities to influence strategic development across the service.
What We Offer:
- A supportive and collaborative team environment
- Ongoing professional development
- The opportunity to make a real difference to children and families
The Council is committed to investing in the talent and wellbeing of our staff and can offer a generous annual leave allowance, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, comprehensive Health & Wellbeing initiatives and a reward package which recognises your contribution. We can offer flexible working practices, community engagement and volunteer activities and, as part of our commitment to you, promote continuous Learning & Development. In addition we also offer a growing range of discounts, rewards and savings. Hybrid working arrangements are available for this role. Each role at CYC is different and your working arrangements will be determined based on the requirements of the role and in collaboration with you and your needs as part of the recruitment process.
City of York Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. We require the successful candidate to undertake an enhanced Criminal Record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service. As this role is public facing, applicants will need to demonstrate, at interview, their competency to converse and provide advice and guidance to members of the public, in spoken English to CEFR level C1: Can express themselves fluently and spontaneously, almost effortlessly. Only a conceptually difficult subject can hinder a natural, smooth flow of language.
Early Years Inclusion Support Practitioner employer: City of York Council
City of York Council is an excellent employer for those passionate about making a meaningful impact in early years education. With a strong commitment to professional development, a supportive team environment, and flexible working arrangements, employees are empowered to drive inclusive practices that benefit children and families across the city. The Council prioritises staff wellbeing through generous leave allowances, health initiatives, and a rewarding package that recognises individual contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Years Inclusion Support 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 City of York 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 City of York 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 City of York 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 City of York 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 Early Years Inclusion Support 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 City of York Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to City of York 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 City of York 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.
