Best Start Inclusion Practitioners

Best Start Inclusion Practitioners

Temporary 30791 - 37633 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support children aged 0-5 and their families, helping them thrive and achieve their potential.
  • Company: Devon County Council, dedicated to improving outcomes for SEND children.
  • Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, professional development, and supportive management.
  • Other info: Join a passionate team committed to inclusion and community-based support.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and shape the future of Family Hubs.
  • Qualifications: Experience with young children, knowledge of SEND, and a Level 3 qualification required.

The predicted salary is between 30791 - 37633 £ per year.

Fixed term until 31st March 2029

Help shape a child's future before challenges become barriers.

Devon County Council is looking for passionate, skilled practitioners to join our new Best Start Family Hubs team as Best Start Inclusion Practitioners (BSIPs).

This exciting role sits at the heart of our ambition to ensure our SEND children receive the right support at the right time, helping them thrive, learn and achieve their full potential.

As a BSIP, you will work directly with children aged 0-5 and their families, providing early, non-diagnostic support for SEND children with emerging developmental or additional needs.

You will help identify concerns early, deliver practical interventions, support school readiness, and empower families to access the right services before difficulties escalated.

This is a highly rewarding, community-based role.

Around 75% of your time will be spent working face-to-face with families in Family Hubs, community settings and homes, building trusted relationships and making a genuine difference to children's lives.

Working alongside health, childrens service, education, SEND, early help and voluntary sector partners, you will:

  • Identify and respond to emerging developmental and inclusion needs.
  • Provide short-time support, coaching and practical interventions for children and families.
  • Deliver inclusive groups and activities.
  • Support families to understand local SEND and early help pathways.
  • Promote inclusive practice across Family Hubs and early years settings.
  • Contribute to better outcomes for children and reduced inequalities across Devon.

We're seeking people who are passionate about inclusion, early intervention and improving outcomes for children.

You will bring

  • Experience working with young children and families.
  • Knowledge of child development, SEND and inclusive practice.
  • Experience of multi-agency working across health, education or early help services.
  • Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
  • The ability to use professional judgement and work independently.
  • A commitment to family-centred, strengths-based practice.
  • A Level 3 qualification in a relevant field is essential, with higher-level qualifications and SEND experience welcomed.

This is a unique opportunity to help build and shape a new service that will transform support for children and families across Devon.

You'll benefit from high-quality supervision, ongoing professional development and the chance to be part of an innovative team committed to inclusion, partnership and positive outcomes.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to make a genuine difference to families every day while helping shape the future of Family Hubs across Devon. You'll join a passionate team committed to:

  • Putting children and families at the heart of everything we do.
  • Delivering innovative, community-based support.
  • Listening to family voices and lived experience.
  • Working together to achieve better outcomes.
  • Building stronger families, stronger communities and brighter futures.

What We Offer

  • Alongside a rewarding career and the opportunity to make a real difference, we offer:
  • Flexible and hybrid working opportunities.
  • Generous annual leave entitlement.
  • Extensive learning and development opportunities.
  • Supportive management and professional supervision.
  • The opportunity to help shape the future of Family Hubs in Devon.

We are able to offer posts as secondments opportunities to internal Devon County Council employee's if requested and approved.

If you require further information or guidance on the Devon County Council Secondment policy this can be found here: Staff transfers (TUPE), joint working arrangements and secondments - Inside Devon - tasks and guides .

Alternatively please speak to your line-manager as required.

We have opportunities across our 3 localities (South and West, North and Mid, Exeter and East).

For an informal conversation about these opportunities or to find out more about the role, please contact please; Kate Freeman, Kate. freeman@devon. gov. uk, Cat Hewitt, Cathryn. hewitt@devon. gov. uk or Sam King, Samantha. king@devon. gov. uk .

Together, we're building stronger families, stronger communities and brighter futures across Devon.

So, join us in shaping Devon's Best Start Family Hubs, helping every child get the best start in life and every family access the right support at the right time.

  • DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe.

We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon.

More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages .

  • Happy to Talk Flexible Working -The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e. g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
  • We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
  • This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
  • Interview Date: Week beginning 21st September 2026
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Best Start Inclusion Practitioners employer: Devon County Council

Devon County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises collaboration and professional development. As a Lead Approved Mental Health Professional, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on mental health services while benefiting from a strong commitment to employee growth and well-being in a vibrant community setting.

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Contact Details:

Devon County Council Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Best Start Inclusion Practitioners

✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects

One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!

✨Engage with Social Work Networks

Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.

✨Attend Workshops and Seminars

Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.

✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!

When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Devon County Council, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!

We think you need these skills to ace Best Start Inclusion Practitioners

Experience working with young children and families
Knowledge of child development
Understanding of SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
Inclusive practice
Multi-agency working
Excellent communication skills
Relationship-building skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Devon County Council. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.

Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.

Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Devon County Council. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!

Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!

How to prepare for a job interview at Devon County Council

✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills

In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Devon County Council.

✨Know Your Frameworks

Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Best Start Inclusion Practitioners role at Devon County Council, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.

✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability

Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Devon County Council that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.