Early Years Inclusion Specialist

Job Title: Early Years Inclusion Specialist
Starting Salary: £31,537 progressing to £34,434 per annum (pro rata for part time)*
Hours: 37
Base Location: Apsley, Hemel Hempstead with countywide travel required.
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Childrens Services

*Please note these roles are term-time only, 39 weeks, therefore salary is paid on a pro rata basis.

About the team

We are seeking dedicated and knowledgeable Early Years Inclusion Specialist to join our dynamic Early Years SEND Service.

We ensure the educational and developmental progress of children (0-7), with a range of SEN/D and additional needs, is met in line with the Hertfordshire Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Strategy and HCC strategic objectives. Our Early Years Inclusion Specialists work in close partnership with our Advisory Teachers to support the implementation of advice, modelling strategies and interventions. Coaching and equipping practitioners across Early Years settings and schools through outreach support, whilst also building confidence and knowledge in parents and carers through training delivery, home visits and supporting intervention classes at our Early Years Specialist Development Centres for children with complex SEND needs.

About the role

About the role

This is a key role to support children to succeed, by providing training and inclusion support to settings and families, to ensure they are equipped to support early years children with SEND needs.

Tasks include:

• Class-Based Intervention sessions: Co‑deliver weekly class-based intervention sessions attended by parents and their children, working under the guidance and direction of the Early Years Specialist Advisory Teacher.
• Home-Based Support sessions: Deliver intervention sessions within the home environment for children with complex medical needs who are unable to attend centre-based sessions, working under the guidance and direction of the Early Years Specialist Advisory Teacher.
• Outreach Support Sessions: Provide intensive weekly outreach sessions within the child’s Early Years setting or school for those who meet eligibility criteria. This includes supporting staff to meet the child’s needs as outlined in their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), working under the guidance and direction of the Early Years Specialist Advisory Teacher.
• Family Support Sessions: Promote and facilitate family support sessions within the local area, in partnership with children’s therapy services.
• Transition Planning and support: Work closely with families and settings to plan and support smooth transitions into mainstream Early Years settings or schools, ensuring strategies and resources are in place to meet the child’s needs.
• Undertake essential administrative tasks to support the effective coordination, delivery, and monitoring of the support offer within the specialist development centre.

In partnership with the Specialist Advisory Teacher, you'll be guided on the specialist strategies and interventions needed for the children, by modelling and training the identified strategies and interventions to setting practitioners and families in an engaging manner. Once embedded, you'll then go on to review their progress.

About you

Essential:

• NVQ level 3 or above in early years education.
• Experience of working with children who have a range of SEN/D in Early Years settings, and with families.
• Knowledge and experience of specialist strategies and interventions for children with additional needs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, must be fluent in English both spoken and written for public facing role.
• Proficient in the use of technology e.g. laptop, iPad etc.
• Ability to work independently in settings.
• Ability to work as part of a team and in collaboration with a range of partners including setting staff and other professionals.
• Sound judgement and analytical ability in order to understand the needs of the child with SEND and the context of the setting in order to provide appropriate support.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the SEN Code of Practice and key national initiatives.
• Full driving licence and regular access to a vehicle.

Desirable:

• Additional qualification in a specific area of SEND, Early Years, HLTA, Teaching
• Experience working in EYFS in school settings
• Experience supporting the delivery of training and/or working in a coaching/supporting capacity.

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

This job role is within the Health and Social Care Services, level HSC8 job profile. Please locate this via: Job profiles - Health and social care

This role is a great opportunity for career progression and development into a specialist area of practice, working as part of a dedicated and knowledgeable team of passionate early years SEND professionals. Early Years Inclusion Specialists play a pivotal role in supporting parents and carers to understand their child’s needs and navigate SEND systems and processes. You will also have a fundamental role in exacting change through your contact with Early Years Settings and schools, supporting the development of inclusive provision and practice, impacting children’s outcomes and progress through all that you do.

To hear more about this opportunity please contact Eilish Foley (eilish.foley@hertfordshire.gov.uk) for an informal discussion about the role.

Interview Dates: 9th March 2026 (between 9am-12pm) & 10th March 2026 (between 1pm - 4pm) - face to face in our Hemel Hempstead office - Apsley.

Benefits of working for us

How to apply

As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Additional information

Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Safeguarding
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Driving required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.