At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to support children with additional needs and coordinate tailored services.
- Company: Vale of Glamorgan Council, dedicated to improving early years services.
- Benefits: Professional development, job security until 2028, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities and ongoing training available.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and help families thrive.
- Qualifications: Level 5 qualification in Childcare, Social Care or Education and 4 years' experience.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About Us
The Vale of Glamorgan Council is inviting applications to join its Flying Start Programme—a Welsh Government initiative supporting families with children aged 0–3 years in targeted areas. Our aim is to give every child the best possible start in life through high-quality early years services. Flying Start focuses on promoting language, cognitive, social and emotional development, physical skills, and early identification of additional needs. We achieve this through Health Visiting and support, Speech, Language and Communication, Parenting programmes, and funded part-time childcare.
Benefits of Joining the Vale of Glamorgan’s Flying Start Team
- Professional Development: Access to ongoing training and reflective practice sessions to help you grow in your career.
- Positive Impact: Be part of a Welsh Government initiative that makes a real difference to families and children in the community.
- Team Environment: Join a supportive, friendly team committed to high-quality early years provision.
- Job Security: The Flying Start programme is funded until March 2028.
About The Role
As a Senior Inclusion officer with the Vale of Glamorgan’s Flying Start Programme, you will be part of a strong, motivated team. Your role will involve direct management of a small team, supporting children with emerging or diagnosed needs and coordinating services pre‑childcare to ensure children have an enhanced, tailored package of support, linked to individual needs.
- Supervise a team of Inclusion officers and the Transition and Engagement Officer, ensuring well‑being is maintained, training needs met, and a high‑quality service provided for children and families.
- Allocate and monitor work directly to the inclusion officers, and support them to develop work based on individual needs of the child.
- Coordinate support pre‑childcare for children identified as needing extra support, to ensure children can access their childcare entitlement.
- Undertake home visits and observations to identify support needed, liaising with necessary professionals, including health, to provide seamless transition into childcare.
- Undertake risk assessments, support plans, including individual health care plans, in accordance with individual needs of the child, linked to placement choice.
- Lead on Team Around the Family (TAF) meetings for children with complex needs pre‑childcare, and support plans for transition into education.
- Facilitate training to Flying Start teams, including commissioned providers, relating to children’s learning, development and recommended models of good practice in Childcare/Early Years.
- Work in close partnership with settings and families to develop IPPs and One‑Page Profiles to ensure children with Additional Needs are supported both pre‑childcare and at transition to Nursery.
About You
- Qualified to level 5 in either Childcare, Social Care or Education or a relevant subject area to the role.
- Minimum 4 years’ experience of working in the Early Years sector.
- Experience of working directly with parents to provide advice and strategies to support their child’s developmental need.
- Experience working directly with children with various complex needs.
- Knowledge of educational development and health needs of children under 5 years.
- In‑depth knowledge and awareness of the Early Years sector and enhancing children’s development.
- Ability to lead and manage people using a variety of styles.
- Effective organisation, with ability to plan work, prioritise and work to tight deadlines.
- Confident to liaise with other professionals from different partner agencies and advocate on behalf of the child and family.
- Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with children, parents, colleagues and other agencies in verbal and written form.
- Ability to travel throughout the Vale or between locations as appropriate.
You will be an integral part of the wider Flying Start team, with lots of support available as well as excellent career progression opportunities.
Flying Start Senior Inclusion Officer - Temporary / Fixed Term in Barry employer: Vale of Glamorgan Council
The Vale of Glamorgan Council offers a rewarding opportunity to join the Flying Start Programme, where you can make a significant impact on the lives of families and children in the community. With a strong focus on professional development, a supportive team environment, and job security until 2028, this role provides a unique chance to grow your career while contributing to high-quality early years services. Join us in creating a positive change for children aged 0-3 years and their families in a collaborative and nurturing setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Flying Start Senior Inclusion Officer - Temporary / Fixed Term in Barry
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the early years sector, especially those connected to the Flying Start Programme. Attend local events or workshops to meet potential colleagues and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your experience with children and families, especially any work related to inclusion. This will give you an edge when discussing your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get ready for interviews by doing mock sessions with friends or family. Focus on how you can contribute to the Flying Start team and share examples of your past successes.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Vale of Glamorgan’s Flying Start Programme.
We think you need these skills to ace Flying Start Senior Inclusion Officer - Temporary / Fixed Term in Barry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Use keywords from the job description to show we’re on the same page about what’s important for the Flying Start Programme.
Showcase Your Experience:Don’t just list your qualifications—give us examples of how you’ve worked with children and families in the past. We want to see how your background makes you a great fit for supporting children with additional needs.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your writing straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your passion for early years development shines through in your application.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people and helps us get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vale of Glamorgan Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Flying Start Programme and its objectives. Familiarise yourself with the key areas of child development, especially language and emotional skills, as well as the specific needs of children under 5. This will show your genuine interest and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your past experiences in the Early Years sector, particularly any direct work with children with complex needs. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've supported families and children, and how you’ve managed teams or projects effectively.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, like coordinating support for a child with additional needs. Think through potential scenarios beforehand and outline your approach, demonstrating your problem-solving skills and ability to advocate for children and families.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Remember, interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team environment and professional development opportunities. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role and team are the right fit for you.
