Early Years Strategy Partner – Speech, Language & Communication Needs in Chelmsford

Fixed Term, Full Time £42,761 to £50,307 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity for up to 21 months.

About the role

The Early Years Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) Strategy Partner will play a key role in delivering Essex County Council’s strategic priorities, including the Best Start in Life, SEND and Inclusion strategies. Working collaboratively with leaders across SEND, Early Years, Health and Operational Teams, the role will design and implement initiatives that improve outcomes for children aged 0–5. The focus is on developing a strategic, coordinated approach to improving early language and communication skills across the Private, Voluntary and Independent sector, as well as the maintained sector.

Accountabilities

• Develop and review Essex-wide SLCN strategy, including recommended approaches to identification of need that engage partners, families and children and respond to evolving needs.
• Ensure early SLC is embedded within the Early Years Strategy, ensuring consistent practice and measurable outcomes across Essex.
• Lead on the development, delivery and quality assurance of ECC‑licensed SLC training programmes (e.g. Elklan, Talk Boost, Hanen) and Making it REAL, ensuring effective impact measurement.
• Develop and deliver high‑level interventions and support for PVIs, schools and Family Hubs to promote language‑rich environments and evaluate training effectiveness.
• Build and maintain networks with health and education stakeholders to support school readiness and smooth transitions for children with SLCN.
• Increase workforce knowledge of Early Language and Communication to enable consistent messaging and effective engagement with parents.
• Analyse data to tailor early language interventions, support early identification and inform future practice, especially for vulnerable groups.
• Contribute to the Early Years Funding Panel and use data trends to shape targeted support and improve outcomes for children with SLCN.
• Lead parent/carer campaigns to promote Home Learning Environments, coordinating multi‑agency messaging and managing digital platforms and resources.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

Experience you will bring

• Possess Qualified Teacher Status or a degree in Early Years/Childhood studies (or equivalent).
• Extensive experience working within or with the PVI and maintained Early Years sectors, and key partners such as Health.
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development and expert knowledge in Early Years and SLCN, with the ability to adapt to evolving research and policy.
• Strong understanding of factors that improve achievement and wellbeing outcomes for children aged 0–5 with speech and language needs.
• Expertise in child development and early language, aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
• Proven experience implementing initiatives that improve outcomes for children aged 0–5 in PVI and school settings.
• Sound knowledge of early years pedagogy, current research and national strategies, especially those focused on disadvantaged children, school readiness and the Home Learning Environment.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage and motivate professionals and families.

Please note that the job role requires the holder to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to hold a driving licence and have access to a vehicle, or be able to satisfy the role’s mobility requirements through other means.

Essex County Council is a Disability Confident Leader. We commit to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements of the role. We also commit to interview all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements of the role. If you require reasonable adjustments throughout the application process, please contact our recruiters. If you do not meet the minimum qualifications for this role, you may still apply to other positions within Essex County Council.