At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families with children aged 0-5, providing guidance and tailored interventions.
- Company: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, committed to early childhood development.
- Benefits: Fixed-term contract until 2029, competitive salary, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on early intervention and inclusive practices.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and support families in your community.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in Childcare and 2 years' experience with SEND.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 38505 £ per year.
This is a Fixed Term contract until 31 March 2029. A DBS is required for this role.
The Best Start in Life Inclusion Practitioners are key roles, supporting families of children with developmental ages 0-5 with early, additional, or developing needs; particularly those not accessing early years provision or entitlements and those needing help transitioning to reception. The Best Start inclusion practitioners will provide advice, guidance and support for 0 – 5’s (from birth to school entry), parents and carers, Family Hubs, setting staff and other services to ensure children’s individual and special needs are identified and met. They will be based in one of the seven Best Start Family Hubs, delivering direct support and strengthening early identification and intervention without relying on diagnosis, complementing existing SEND services.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- To provide direct, flexible support to identify and respond to emerging additional needs.
- To work in partnership with parents/carers on behalf of children with individual or special needs by visiting at agreed times.
- Support a child’s development through coaching and modelling of good practice working alongside Parents/Carers, day-care setting staff, childminders and schools to meet the developmental needs of pre-school children effectively.
- Assess, plan and implement individual and group activity programmes that will meet the needs of the child.
- To develop and produce quality and bespoke resources to support and demonstrate appropriate strategies and interventions to Parents/Carers, setting staff, schools or other interested parties.
- To train and support individuals and groups within settings, community groups and other services, so as to provide equal opportunities for pre-school children with SEND.
- To co-ordinate provision for children with individual and group activity programmes that will meet the needs of the child.
- To make the necessary and timely referrals to our partner agencies, to liaise and work collaboratively with staff from Inclusion Support, Children’s services, Early Years Settings, Local Authority Teams, NHS and other services.
- Complete and provide written reports and documents where appropriate on all matters concerning the individual needs of particular children to a consistently high standard to meet statutory and other deadlines.
Essential Requirements:
- NNEB/BTEC/NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Education or equivalent or higher. (NB: Qualification must be related to Child Development/Education).
- Minimum of 2 years post qualifying experience of direct and relevant work with children 0-5 with SEND.
- Experience working with children with SEND in early years settings.
- Experience supporting or delivering training to parents.
- Recent, practical and direct experience of delivering good practice strategies and interventions relating to improving outcomes for children’s development.
- Experience in engaging positively and empathetically with Parents/Carers of children with SEND.
Best Start in Life Practitioner employer: WMJobs
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the development of both children and staff. As a Best Start in Life Practitioner, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on families with young children, while benefiting from professional growth through training and collaboration with various services. Located within the community-focused Family Hubs, this role provides a unique chance to engage directly with families, ensuring that every child receives the support they need to thrive.
