At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families in their early years, enhancing home learning environments.
- Company: Leicestershire County Council, dedicated to community support and child development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Join a passionate team with a commitment to inclusivity and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and support families on their parenting journey.
- Qualifications: NVQ 3 in early years or childcare, with experience in supporting young children and families.
The predicted salary is between 28605 - 31029 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: County Hall Glenfield Leicester LE3 8RA - with travel across the localities over the County
Salary: £28,605 - £31,029 per annum (pro-rata for part-time) (Pay Award Pending)
Working Hours: 37 Per week (consideration of part time, 18.5hrs for successful candidates)
Contract Type: Fixed term until 31/3/2029
Closing Date: 20th September 2026
Interview Date(s): Friday 2nd October - in person
About the Role
Would you like to join a team that is passionate about supporting children and their families in the early years? Do you want to support children and their families to make the best start in life? If so, here is an excellent opportunity for you!
As part of the Best Start in Life agenda we are looking to recruit an additional 4 members of our team to work across county delivering groups to support parents in their early parenting journey, enhancing their home learning environment. You will also be doing outreach work in the community to support the take up of FEEE, support children with emerging SEND to be ‘Ready for School’, enhancing their ‘Good Level of Development’ and delivering drop in sessions.
We offer an excellent training package and will ‘buddy you up’ with our current Best Start Inclusion Practitioners already in post. An enhanced with barred list DBS check is required for this post.
About You
- NVQ 3 in appropriate early years or child care subject or NNEB / BTEC (Nursery Nursing), health, social care, or equivalent.
- Experience of working with parents and/or children of pre or school age in supporting parents’ understanding of their child’s early learning needs.
- Experience in working with families in which very young children are experiencing difficulties in their speech, language and communication development or in other key development areas.
- Knowledge of child development (0-5), with a particular understanding of language development.
- Knowledge of basic techniques which can be utilised to stimulate speech and language development.
- Knowledge and understanding of different cultures and ethnicity.
- Knowledge of issues that may affect parenting, family development and community inclusion.
- Good delivery skills and able to communicate effectively, both written and orally, including the ability to keep professional records.
In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and to delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Interested in Flexible Working? We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.
For more information or an informal discussion, please contact:
- Louise Pettitt, Team and Partnership Manager (Family Hubs) Email: louise.pettitt@leics.gov.uk
- Abbie Blankley, Family Support Worker Email: abbie.blankley@leics.gov.uk
or join our online drop in session to hear more about the role: Online Drop In Session
Best Start Inclusion Practitioner in Leicester employer: ESPO Trading Limited
Leicestershire County Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises staff wellbeing and flexible working options. As an AMHP Team Manager, you will have the opportunity to lead a dedicated team in a meaningful role that directly impacts mental health services, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development in a collaborative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Best Start Inclusion Practitioner in Leicester
✨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 ESPO Trading Limited.
✨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 ESPO Trading Limited!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
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✨Leverage Your Network
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We think you need these skills to ace Best Start Inclusion Practitioner in Leicester
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 ESPO Trading Limited:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to ESPO Trading Limited! 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 ESPO Trading Limited
✨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.
