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- Tasks: Support children with additional needs and promote their inclusion in Early Years settings.
- Company: Leicestershire County Council, dedicated to making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to inclusive practices and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives and help shape their futures.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in Childcare and experience with children with SEND.
The predicted salary is between 28605 - 31029 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: County Hall, Glenfield, LE3 8RA
Salary: £28,605 - £31,029 per annum (pro-rata for part-time) (Pay award pending)
Working Hours: 37 hours a week
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 17th May 2026
Interview Date(s): 27th May 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 with barred list DBS check is required for this post.
About You
To apply for this post, you must:
- 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 and schools by modelling good practice, sharing relevant information, and offering guidance and advice to staff.
- A sound understanding of equality and diversity, and a commitment to promoting inclusive practice for children across Leicestershire.
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)
Email: ruth.melluish@leics.gov.uk
How to Apply
At Leicestershire County Council we’re looking for top talent from all walks of life. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, and whatever your background - we care about what you bring to our organisation, not just what’s on your CV. That’s why we’ve designed a recruitment process that’s fair, accessible, and focused on potential. And with benefits that support people at every age and stage of life, we make sure you can thrive - both personally and professionally.
If you share our passion to make a difference for the people of Leicestershire, we’d love to hear from you. Click the apply button to submit your application, ensuring that you upload a supporting statement that explains how you meet the criteria listed in the ‘About You’ section above. Without this information, we won’t be able to assess your suitability for the role, and your application will be rejected.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post or you want to request an application pack in an alternative format, please contact our Employee Service Centre by telephoning 0300 3030222 (select option 2) or raising a ticket via our online portal: https://emss.org.uk/support.
By applying for this post, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
Inclusion Practitioner in Leicester employer: Leicestershire County Council
Contact Detail:
Leicestershire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Inclusion Practitioner in Leicester
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Leicestershire County Council and their values. This will help you tailor your responses during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events related to Early Years and SEND. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your experience aligns with the role of Inclusion Practitioner. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Inclusion Practitioner in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure to customise your supporting statement to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in working with children with additional needs and your understanding of inclusive practices.
Showcase Your Qualifications: Don’t forget to mention your Level 3 qualification in Childcare and any relevant GCSEs. This is crucial as it’s a key requirement for the role, so make it stand out in your application!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. This will help us understand your qualifications and experiences without getting lost in complex wording.
Apply Early!: We might close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so don’t wait until the last minute! Head over to our website and submit your application as soon as you can to ensure you don’t miss out on this opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leicestershire County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the SEND Code of Practice and the Early Years Foundation Stage. Being able to discuss specific strategies for supporting children with additional needs will show that you're not just familiar with the theory, but also ready to put it into practice.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare examples from your past work where you've successfully supported children with SEND. Think about times when you collaborated with families or external agencies, as these experiences will highlight your ability to work in partnership and make a real difference.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since excellent communication skills are key for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. You might even want to do a mock interview with a friend to get comfortable discussing your ideas and experiences.
✨Emphasise Your Values
Leicestershire County Council is looking for candidates who share their commitment to inclusive practices. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to creating an inclusive environment for all children.