At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children's development and create a nurturing environment for early learners.
- Company: St Helens Borough Council, dedicated to transforming communities and supporting families.
- Benefits: Well-being support, financial benefits, learning opportunities, and a commitment to inclusion.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to fair employment and career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and help them thrive from the start.
- Qualifications: Experience in early years education and a passion for child development.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
We are St Helens Borough Council, located in the heart of the Northwest close to Liverpool, Manchester and Lancashire. St Helens is a transformational Council which is passionate and ambitious for the communities we support. We provide a wide range of local authority services to the residents, businesses, schools, and visitors to the borough. We can only do this because of our highly valued, highly skilled workforce. Working together, our workplace vision and values guide our organisation, and the contribution of our workforce is key to our culture journey. Employees with us receive a wide range of benefits including well-being in work, financial benefits, ways of working and learning and development support.
Making A Difference as a Senior Early Years Practitioner
An exciting opportunity has arisen to support the implementation of St Helens to a Family Hub model. Making a difference as a Senior Early Years Practitioner means playing a key role in giving every child the best start in life. Through high-quality interactions, thoughtful planning, and a deep understanding of child development, you create an environment where children feel secure, curious, and confident to explore. Your ability to plan, observe and respond to each child’s individual needs supports strong foundations in communication, physical development, and personal, social, and emotional growth.
By working closely with families and modelling positive relationships, you ensure children experience consistent, nurturing support that helps them thrive from their earliest stages. As a Senior Early Years Practitioner, you also make a significant impact on improving Good Level of Development (GLD) outcomes across all settings, supporting the team in delivering effective, evidence-based practice that raises quality and ensures every child is on a positive learning trajectory. You will champion early identification of need, targeted interventions, and inclusive strategies that help close attainment gaps. You help create an environment where children flourish and support them to achieve a strong Good Level of Development (GLD)—setting them up for future success in school and beyond.
Interested to Find Out More?
You can review our full job description and person specification below. This post is subject to Enhanced DBS Disclosure. Please note we reserve the right to close the advert early should we receive a sufficient number of applications and encourage you to apply early, to avoid disappointment.
Equality & Diversity
We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, who share our values, our commitment to inclusion, and who will help us on our journey to transform our organisation. The Council guarantees an interview to disabled applicants who demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria for the job, as detailed on the Person Specification, and will, for qualifying disabled candidates, make reasonable adjustments within selection. All Council employees are required to abide by the ethical standards embodied by the 7 Nolan Principles. St Helens Council is officially recognised as one of the region’s leading fair employers, achieving accredited status under the Liverpool City Combined Authority Fair Employment Charter. The Charter recognises the ongoing commitment to fair pay, secure work, training & progression & staff well-being whilst celebrating employers who go above and beyond for their workforce providing an inclusive and supportive environment.
Senior Early Years Practitioner Fixed Term 31/08/2029 in St Helens employer: St Helens Council
St Helens Council is an excellent employer for aspiring Early Years Practitioners, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises children's learning and development. With opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to high-quality education, employees can thrive in a nurturing environment while making a meaningful impact in the community. The council's focus on collaboration with teaching staff ensures that every practitioner is equipped to succeed in their role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Early Years Practitioner Fixed Term 31/08/2029 in St Helens
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to St Helens Council, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Early Years Practitioner Fixed Term 31/08/2029 in St Helens
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of St Helens Council. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at St Helens Council. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at St Helens Council
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with St Helens Council.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Senior Early Years Practitioner Fixed Term 31/08/2029 role at St Helens Council, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show St Helens Council that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
