We are looking for a Best Start in Life Coordinator to join Portsmouth's Best Start Family Hub network. This is an exciting role coordinating the day-to-day delivery of the Best Start in Life Inclusion Practitioner service across Portsmouth, supporting babies, young children aged 0-5, and their families to access early, practical and inclusive support when children may have emerging needs, developmental differences or additional needs.
This is a fixed Term contract until 31st March 2029
The Role
The role is about supporting practitioners to provide help early, promoting consistent family-centered practice, and helping children and families access the right support at the right time. Support offered through the service will be needs-led rather than diagnosis-led, meaning families can receive advice, guidance and practical help without needing to wait for a diagnosis or meet a referral threshold.
The postholder will provide operational management, practice support and quality assurance to Best Start in Life Inclusion Practitioners. The role will help ensure the service is consistent, accessible and responsive across Family Hubs, community settings and partner sites. The coordinator will work in partnership with existing services and will complement the established inclusion offer across Early Years, Family Hubs and community settings.
You will help ensure the service supports access and inclusion across the full Best Start offer. This will include overseeing outreach activity, monitoring accessibility and engagement, supporting practitioners to strengthen family confidence, and ensuring the service contributes to early outcomes including speech, language and communication development and school readiness.
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a professional with a relevant Level 4 qualification (or equivalent experience) in an area such as early years, education, health, social care, family support or SEND, together with ongoing professional development.
You will have experience of supporting children aged 0-5 with additional or complex needs, working closely with families and carers, and delivering family-centred support in partnership with other services. Experience of coordinating services, caseloads, staff or volunteers, supervising practitioners, and contributing to service monitoring, quality assurance and improvement activities is essential.
The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of child development, SEND, safeguarding, Early Help and Family Hub approaches, inclusion, and strengths-based practice. Knowledge of speech, language and communication development, school readiness, and supporting underserved communities is also important.
You will be an excellent communicator with strong organisational and analytical skills, able to build effective relationships, manage competing priorities, support and develop practitioners, facilitate meetings, maintain accurate records, and produce clear reports.
Working Arrangements: Attendance requirements to the designated workplace for the role in line with the Hybrid - Working a minimum of2days in the office per week
Informal enquiries, please contact: Claire Mason at claire.mason@portsmouthcc.gov.uk .
We are a disability confident employer and have an Armed Forces Covenant. We are committed to offering an interview to all those candidates that qualify under one of our commitments and meet the minimum criteria, however, for roles that receive a large number of applications, this is not always possible, and we will select the candidates that best meet the minimum criteria.
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
Safeguarding
Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information.
You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years - this is essential for all safeguarding roles.
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Best Start in Life Coordinator in Portsmouth employer: Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a positive and inclusive work culture that prioritises respect, integrity, and collaboration. As a SEN Team Leader, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people with special educational needs, while benefiting from professional development opportunities and a supportive team environment. Located in the vibrant city of Portsmouth, this role offers a unique chance to contribute to strategic SEND developments and be part of a forward-thinking organisation committed to service improvement and community well-being.
