Newcastle is a great City, with a proud history. We never stand still. Our children and families reflect the changing face of our communities, our vibrance and diversity. We know that the last few years have been tough for many and that significant challenges remain. However, we are ambitious - an ambition recognised by Ofsted who judged us to be 'Good' in 2025. As a city we are committed to making positive change with our children, young people and families doing things bigger and better than we ever have. To deliver these ambitions we need the best people on board.
About The Role
As a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner within the Children & Families Directorate, you will play a vital role in helping us deliver change across the agenda for babies, children, young people and families. You will
support families who have children with additional needs to access and navigate services, working as part of the Best Start Family Hub team
be able to provide families with clear and current advice and guidance on the local SEND system and legislation
deliver short interventions and practical support to families with children with additional needs across
build effective links with nursery and school settings to support families and help children make good progress in their development.
champion inclusive practice across the Best Start Family Hubs network.
This role will sit within a team in our Community Family Offer division and will report to the Community Family Offer Service Lead. This role is funded through The Best Start Family Hubs grant and is fixed term to 31st March 2029
About You
We are looking for the very best people to lead our work with children and families. Getting it right means making a meaningful difference to the lives of babies, children and young people in Newcastle. You will be an excellent communicator with strong influencing and negotiating skills; with a keen interest in understanding how things work and a drive to make things better. You will be highly organised and self-motivated, with the ability to prioritise workloads effectively. You will enjoy being part of a wider team and also comfortable taking ownership of tasks. You will have a full level 3 qualification in a relevant children's services field (e.g. childcare, nursery nurse, teaching assistant, youth work, health etc.) and recent experience of working directly with families with children aged 0-5 with SEND. You will be experienced in delivering evidence based interventions with families and be able to demonstrate continuous professional development in SEND. On a personal level, you will work with honesty and integrity and be committed to ensuring that babies, children, young people and families have the strengths, assets and services that they need to thrive.
If you have any questions about the role, or for an informal chat, please contact Sarah Kerrigan, Head of Service Community Family Offer sarah.kerrigan@newcastle.gov.uk
We are committed to protecting and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults. If you are successful we will undertake additional recruitment checks which will include a check to see if you have had any criminal convictions and a check of police information.
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Best Start Inclusion Practitioner in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Newcastle City Council
Newcastle City Learning (NCL) is an excellent employer that values communication and creativity, offering a supportive work environment where your contributions directly impact the community's educational landscape. With a commitment to employee growth and development, NCL provides opportunities for skill enhancement while fostering a culture of collaboration and respect. Working at either the Heaton Centre or Westgate College, you will enjoy a dynamic atmosphere that prioritises the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, ensuring that your role is both meaningful and rewarding.
