Overview
You will lead the development and delivery of the Early Years SEND and Inclusion Support Model across a defined area, providing expert advice and building capacity in settings. By forging strong partnerships with providers, families and partner services, you will help identify needs earlier and promote inclusive practice. The role focuses on testing, embedding and shaping the new service to improve transitions from early years into school. This opportunity offers influence over standards, tools and ways of working in Norfolk’s SEND landscape.
Pay / Benefits
- competitive salary
- generous holiday entitlement
- health and wellbeing services
- flexible working opportunities including hybrid and remote
- Norfolk Rewards discounts
- Local Government Pension Scheme
Responsibilities
- Provide expert advice, support and challenge to early years providers to identify needs early and implement inclusive provision
- Act as a vanguard for the SEND and Inclusion Support Model development across Norfolk
- Coordinate and strengthen Early Years SENDCo networks, training and communities of practice
- Support transitions from early years to Reception and Year 1 to ensure continuity
- Offer consultation on complex needs and help navigate local pathways, referrals and escalation routes
- Use data, feedback and professional insight to evaluate impact and shape improvements
- Identify gaps, risks and inequalities and recommend service-level improvements
- Influence standards, priorities, tools and ways of working for the new offer
Key requirements
- Extensive experience in early years, education, SEND or inclusion with a track record of improving outcomes for children with SEND
- Qualified Teacher Status or equivalent teaching qualification
- Desirable: Early Years SENDCo leadership, advisory or specialist qualification
- Ability to build trusted relationships across organisational boundaries
- Sound safeguarding judgement and understanding of statutory responsibilities
- Experience with transition planning between early years and school
- Ability to use evidence, feedback and data to identify priorities and drive improvement
- relationship-building
- professional advisory and challenge
- collaboration across boundaries
- data-informed improvement
- quality assurance
- needs assessment and impact evaluation
Early Years SENDCO in Norfolk employer: Norfolk County Council
Norfolk County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have access to training opportunities and resources to enhance your skills while making a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children in the community. Located in Norwich, this role provides the unique advantage of working within a collaborative environment that values partnership with schools and families, ensuring a rewarding experience for all involved.
