At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with special educational needs in a dynamic early years environment.
- Company: Cambridgeshire County Council, committed to diversity and community impact.
- Benefits: Generous leave, wellbeing package, flexible working, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and a supportive management team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience with SEND and strong interpersonal skills required.
Our Benefits
- We value our colleagues in Cambridgeshire County Council and have developed a number of benefits in addition to the basics like annual leave, sick pay, pension and mileage.
- A comprehensive wellbeing package to cover all aspects of wellbeing, both in and out of work, which can also be accessed by your family.
- Buy up to 4 weeks additional annual leave (pro‑rata) through our salary sacrifice scheme.
- Take your bank holidays flexibly to better suit your personal circumstances.
- Make Additional Voluntary Contributions (Shared AVCs) to your pension with tax and National Insurance savings.
- Access to development opportunities, apprenticeships and qualified coaches to support your personal and professional growth.
- Paid volunteering hours each year so you can make a positive impact on our community during your normal working day.
- Access to Peer Support Groups through our IDEAL staff equality, diversity and inclusion network.
- Opportunities to nominate and receive Employee Recognition Awards.
- An Our Cambs Rewards account, giving you access to in‑store and online discounts as well as our Car Lease and Cycle to Work schemes.
About the role
We are looking to appoint an Early Support Advisor to work in the Early Years SEND team. The Early Years SEND team promotes high quality inclusive practice across the Early Year’s sector. The team provides a comprehensive SEND offer and supports childcare providers in Cambridgeshire to work with children with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities. The Early Years SEND team manage the Early Support pathway which is a multi‑disciplinary approach to meeting the individual needs of children who have a disability or significant and complex additional needs.
About you
The successful candidate will have significant experience, skills and a passion for working with children and their families in the early years with SEND. You will have an understanding of the Early Years Statutory framework and how the SEND Code of Practice relates to early years. You will have excellent interpersonal skills combined with the ability to represent the Service in a positive and professional manner, including communicating with a wide range of internal and external customers. You must have strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to take a hands‑on role and work independently. You will ideally have good working knowledge of Windows & Microsoft packages (although training can be provided). This role would suit someone who has extensive experience meeting the needs of children with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities who is working within or supporting the early years sector.
Cambridge County Council offer:
- Salary £31,537 pro rata.
- Occupational pension scheme with employer contribution.
- Employee Assistance Programme – access to free support 24 hours a day.
- Employee Benefits scheme with lifestyle and shopping discounts.
- Generous annual leave entitlement increasing with length of service and ability to buy more.
- A supportive management team that will champion your learning and development.
- Work life balance and flexible ways of working, including WFH when the role allows.
For more details, please see the job description and person specification. If you would like to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Chris Barton: chris.barton@cambridgeshire.gov.uk. The closing date for applications is Monday 27 July 2026 and interviews will be scheduled shortly after.
We are proud to serve the diverse communities of Cambridgeshire and want our workforce to be reflective of this diversity, which we believe benefits our employees, the organisation and our communities.
About us
Cambridgeshire is a great place to work and live with a diverse population, an urban centre in Cambridge, historic Isle of Ely, Huntingdon and St Ives as well as more rural landscapes. We are proud to serve the diverse communities of Cambridgeshire and want our workforce to be reflective of this diversity, which we believe benefits our employees, the organisation and our communities.
Visit our jobs and careers section to find out more about our wide range of learning and development opportunities; apprenticeships; our wellbeing package; staff benefits; our commitment to equality, diversity and Inclusion.
Early Support Adviser – Sunley House, Papworth Everard, United Kingdom employer: Recruit4Mum
Recruit4Mum is an excellent employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees, offering a supportive work culture in the heart of Chester-le-Street. With benefits such as a bonus scheme, enhanced holiday entitlement, and access to an Employee Assistance helpline, we ensure our team feels valued and empowered. Join us for meaningful work that contributes to a safe and inclusive environment while enjoying opportunities for personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Support Adviser – Sunley House, Papworth Everard, United Kingdom
✨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 Recruit4Mum.
✨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 Recruit4Mum!
✨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 Recruit4Mum, 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 Recruit4Mum 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 Early Support Adviser – Sunley House, Papworth Everard, United Kingdom
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 Recruit4Mum:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Recruit4Mum! 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 Recruit4Mum
✨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.
