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Lincolnshire has an excellent opportunity in Children’s Services and is looking to recruit four outstanding Best Start Inclusion Practitioners on a 3 year fixed term basis, joining an existing team within Early Years and Childcare .

About the Role

The Early Years and Childcare Best Start Inclusion Practitioners will be a dedicated and busy team working across Lincolnshire Family Hubs. The successful candidates will have a strong focus on strengthening inclusive practice and partnership working. Supporting with the delivery of coordinated help for families and a clear, accessible local SEND offer from birth to school entry.

The post holders will also be responsible for quality assuring Lincolnshire’s Special Educational Needs (SEN) Inclusion Fund within host settings.

Best Start Inclusion Practitioners will be expected to provide day to day leadership, advice, guidance and challenge to

• strengthen the quality of early intervention and the graduated approach so that children are able to flourish in their local mainstream early years and childcare settings, promoting the use of early help assessments where needed.
• reduce the risk of exclusion and reduce referrals to more targeted support in the future.
• minimise barriers and strengthen practice within inclusion across the sector.
• Connect families to the range of services available through the Family Hub network.

This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with families and partner agencies to deliver the Local Authority’s strategies in relation to the Start for Life Offer, SEND and Inclusion.

We are looking for skilled communicators with good time management and an ability to work to tight deadlines and high demand in a busy service area, alongside a thorough knowledge of national legislation and an awareness of local policies and procedures.

These positions will be working across the whole of Lincolnshire and therefore the ability to drive is essential.

What we are looking for:

• Minimum Level 4 qualification (HNC/D, NVQ4, Foundation Degree, Intermediate Diploma) Early Years, Childcare or Education.

• Significant post qualification experience and knowledge of working with families, children and young people with SEND.
• The knowledge, skills and ability to work in partnership with families and other partners to strengthen the quality of early intervention and the graduated approach so that children are able to flourish in their local early years and childcare setting.
• The ability to effectively plan and deliver improved standards of inclusion and monitor their impact.
• Up to date knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory duties and Local Authority procedures relating to SEND and Inclusion.
• Excellent presentations and communication skills.

About our Offer

At Lincolnshire County Council, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we offer a rewarding package designed to support your work–life balance, health and wellbeing, financial security, and career growth. Find out more about our offer to you here.

• Competitive Salary
• A generous contributory pension.
• Comprehensive benefits package including excellent discount schemes and cycle to work.
• Flexible working policies.
• Career progression opportunities.
• A generous annual leave entitlement plus the option to buy more

For a confidential discussion about the role please contact Carol Moore on Carol.Moore@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Interviews will be held on 13th and 14th August

Please be advised that this position will be subject to a disclosure and barring check.

PLEASE NOTE: It is imperative that your personal statement clearly states why you have applied, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role as set out in the Job Description (attached on LCC jobs Site) and what you feel you can bring to this role, the team and the wider County Council.

Please refer to our Job Information Pack here to support you in your application.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. Please also note: once an application is submitted it is final and cannot be amended. If you withdraw your application, it cannot be reinstated and you will not be able to submit another application for that vacancy. If you have an issue with your submitted application, please contact recruitment@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

A Smarter Working Employer

We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.

Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.

Fluency Duty

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.