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Best Start Inclusion Practitioner

5.6 FTE Posts Salary: Scale 6

Location: Family Hubs and Community Settings Across Telford and Wrekin

Contract: Fixed Term until March 2029 (subject to funding), Secondments welcomed

Hours: Full Time and Part Time Opportunities Available

Make a Difference at the Earliest Opportunity

Every child deserves the best possible start in life.

We are seeking passionate, skilled and motivated Best Start Inclusion Practitioners to join our growing Family Hubs and Best Start Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) to help transform outcomes for babies, young children and their families.

This exciting new role sits at the heart of our ambitious Best Start Programme, supporting children from birth to five years and focusing on improving school readiness, child development and inclusion through high-quality early intervention.

Working directly with families in their homes, Family Hubs and community settings, you will play a key role in identifying emerging developmental needs early and delivering practical support that enables children to thrive.

About the Role

As a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner, you will work alongside Family Hub Practitioners, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Educational Psychologists, Health Visitors and Early Years professionals to provide timely and effective support for children and families.

You will work with children who:

• Have emerging needs identified through Health Visitor ASQs, EYFS Progress Checks at Age Two and other referral pathways.
• Have identified health or developmental needs and are not currently accessing an early years setting.
• Would benefit from targeted support to improve communication, physical development, emotional wellbeing and school readiness.

Your work will focus on empowering parents and carers to support their child's development through everyday routines and play-based activities within the family home, where evidence shows some of the most significant gains can be achieved.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver practical, strengths-based interventions to children and families within their homes and local communities.
• Support the early identification of developmental, communication, sensory, physical and social-emotional needs.
• Implement strategies recommended by Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Educational Psychologists.
• Coach and empower parents and carers to support their child's development and learning.
• Contribute to personalised plans that help children achieve agreed developmental goals.
• Work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team and alongside early years settings, health services and family support practitioners.
• Promote inclusion and positive transitions into nursery and school.
• Maintain accurate records and monitor outcomes for children and families.
• Support the programme's ambition to increase the number of children achieving a Good Level of Development at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

For further information on the role please click on the links below to view the job description and person specification. Additionally, if you would like to find out more about this role contact Group Manager Christine Thursfield on 01952 380067 or via email christine.thursfield@telford.gov.uk

A CV template is available if you do not already have a CV.

We believe great services start with great people — and that means building a workforce that reflects our community. At Telford & Wrekin Council, everyone belongs, and every voice matters.

What we offer:

• We offer competitive salaries and a fantastic leave package — starting at 24 days, rising to 32 days with service, plus 8 bank holidays and an extra concessionary day to enjoy.
• Flexible working & career progression
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Staff discounts & salary sacrifice perks
• Free parking & confidential wellbeing support
• Hybrid working model - whether you're in the office or working from home, we support a balance that fits your personal and family commitments.

Find out further information about working at Telford & Wrekin Council including our full list of benefits.

Roles involving children or vulnerable adults will require a criminal records check. It’s an offence to apply if you’re barred from working with these groups.

Please note: We do not hold a sponsorship licence for visas.