At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop the Best Start Inclusion Service for children with SEND in Family Hubs.
- Company: Join Reading Borough Council, a Disability Confident Employer committed to diversity.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, flexible working, competitive salary, and on-site nursery.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for innovation and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Early Years or related field and experience with children aged 0-5.
The predicted salary is between 29836 - 36466 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Senior Best Start Inclusion Practitioner to lead and develop our Best Start Inclusion Service within Reading's Family Hubs. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key leadership role in delivering early intervention and inclusion support for children aged 0-5 with emerging or identified Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), while supporting families to access the right help at the right time.
As a senior practitioner, you will combine direct work with children and families with the leadership and supervision of a dedicated team of Best Start Inclusion Practitioners. You will work closely with colleagues across Early Years, SEND, Health, Family Help, Children's Social Care and community partners to ensure children and families receive high-quality, joined-up support.
About the role
- Lead, supervise and support a team of Best Start Inclusion Practitioners.
- Oversee referrals, caseloads and the delivery of the Best Start Inclusion offer.
- Provide professional guidance, quality assurance and service improvement leadership.
- Support early identification of SEND and promote effective early intervention.
- Deliver and oversee inclusive support within Family Hubs, homes and community settings.
- Work directly with children and families, providing practical advice, coaching and targeted interventions.
- Develop strong multi-agency partnerships to improve outcomes for children and families.
- Contribute to the development of Reading's integrated Family Hub SEND offer.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About you
- Holds an NVQ Level 3 qualification (or equivalent) in Early Years, Child Development, SEND, Health or a related field.
- Has substantial experience working with children aged 0-5 and their families.
- Has extensive experience supporting children with emerging or identified SEND.
- Has experience managing or supervising staff.
- Understands child development, inclusion and the graduated response.
- Has excellent communication, leadership and relationship-building skills.
- Is confident working across agencies and supporting complex family needs.
- Can balance operational leadership with hands-on practice.
- Is committed to improving outcomes for children and reducing inequalities.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success.
Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
- Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.
- Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
- Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance - striving to be even better - and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
- Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave.
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities.
- Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading.
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS).
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted.
- Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work.
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
Closing Date: Sunday 20th September 2026
Interview Date: 1st October 2026
Interview Process: To be confirmed.
Senior Best Start Inclusion Practitioner in Reading employer: Reading Borough Council
Reading Borough Council offers a supportive and collaborative work environment for the Finance Officer role at Addington School, where you will play a vital part in managing the school's financial resources. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have access to training opportunities and career progression within the council, all while contributing to the educational success of the community in Woodley, Reading.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Best Start Inclusion Practitioner in Reading
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Reading Borough Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Reading Borough Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Reading Borough Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Reading Borough Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Best Start Inclusion Practitioner in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Reading Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Reading Borough Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Reading Borough Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
