Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: County Hall Glenfield LE3 8RA
Salary: £29,550 - £32,055 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Working Hours: 14.8 per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 22nd November 2026
Interview Date(s): 30th November 2026
We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our Early Years, Inclusion and Childcare service as an Inclusion Practitioner.
About the Role
This post offers an exciting opportunity to join a highly skilled, enthusiastic team working with children from birth to school entry who have identified additional needs. You will work directly with children and their families, both within the home environment and across Early Years settings and schools, to deliver tailored packages of support aimed at reducing the risk of exclusion for children below statutory school age.
You will also work closely with a range of professionals and Early Years providers to ensure children are able to engage fully in support plans and programmes designed to promote their learning, development, and inclusion. The role focuses on ensuring children receive the right support at the right time, enabling positive outcomes within inclusive Early Years environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide targeted packages of support to help prevent the risk of exclusion for children of non‑statutory school age.
- Model effective inclusive practice within Early Years settings to support providers in maintaining appropriate placements.
- Promote the education, development, and inclusion of children under five with special educational needs.
- Support the day‑to‑day management of a caseload of children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, under the supervision and guidance of the Senior Early Years SEND Inclusion Advisor.
- Work collaboratively with children, families, and professionals across a range of settings to support the delivery of agreed plans and programmes that promote inclusion and participation.
An enhanced DBS with barred list check is required for this post.
For information on our approach to the recruitment of ex‑offenders, please see our policy statement.
About You
To apply for this post, you must be able to evidence in your application how you meet the following criteria:
- Hold a Level 3 qualification in Childcare (or equivalent), with GCSEs at Grade C or above (or equivalent) in both Mathematics and English.
- Demonstrable, substantial experience of working with children under five and their families where children have SEND, including experience of collaborative partnership working with external agencies to enhance outcomes for children with SEND.
- Strong knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and the Early Years Foundation Stage, with the ability to implement effective strategies to support children with additional needs, particularly those with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.
- Well‑developed personal organisational skills, with the flexibility and willingness to travel to appointments and a range of venues as required.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, alongside strong listening skills, enabling effective engagement with parents and carers who may be experiencing significant stress.
- Ability to support the inclusion of children on their caseload within Early Years settings
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:
Ruth Melluish - Team Manager (Early Years SEND Inclusion Team)
Telephone: 0116 3057136
Email: ruth.melluish@leics.gov.uk
Inclusion Practitioner in Leicester employer: ESPO Trading Limited
Leicestershire County Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work environment where your organisational and people skills can truly make a difference. With a commitment to employee growth and flexible working options, you will find opportunities to develop your career while contributing to vital services that enhance the community's resilience. Located in the heart of Glenfield, Leicester, the council fosters a culture of inclusivity and teamwork, ensuring that every employee feels valued and empowered.
