Torbay Council
Best Start Inclusion Practitioner - 37 hours
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Best Start Inclusion Practitioner - 37 hours
Application Deadline: 30 August 2026
Department: Childrens Services
Employment Type: Permanent
Location: Torbay Council
Reporting To: Team Manager
Compensation: £28,598 - £31,022 / year
Description
Job Description & Person Specification >
What we’re looking for
We are looking for someone who brings warmth, curiosity and confidence to their work with children, families and professionals. You will have a strong understanding of child development from birth to age 5, experience of supporting children with emerging additional needs or SEND, and the ability to communicate sensitively with parents, carers and partners. You will be organised, collaborative and committed to inclusion, equality and improving outcomes for children and families.
This role would suit someone with experience in early years, family support, education, health, childcare or community settings who wants to make a visible difference at the earliest point in a child’s life. An NVQ Level 3, or equivalent, in Early Years and Childcare or a related field is required.
Why join us?
Are you passionate about helping young children thrive, supporting families at the earliest opportunity and making inclusion a reality in everyday practice? This is an exciting opportunity to join Torbay’s Best Start in Life and Family Hubs offer as a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner, working with families, practitioners and partners to help children aged 0–5 get the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
This is a rewarding opportunity to be part of a service committed to giving children the best start in life. You will join a supportive, partnership-focused environment where your work will help families feel heard, practitioners feel confident and children access support earlier. If you are motivated by early help, inclusion and the chance to make a lasting difference for children in Torbay, we would love to hear from you.
In this practical, family-facing role, you will help identify emerging developmental needs early and support parents and carers to understand and respond to their child’s development with confidence. You will work across Family Hubs and the wider community, helping families access clear advice, inclusive opportunities and joined-up support without waiting for a formal diagnosis before help can begin.
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You will be part of a collaborative network across early years, education, health, SEND and the voluntary and community sector. By sharing knowledge, modelling inclusive practice and strengthening local pathways, you will play a key role in improving outcomes for children and helping practitioners feel confident in responding to a wide range of needs.
What you’ll be doing
- Providing flexible, practical support to families where there are emerging concerns about development, inclusion or additional needs.
- Helping parents and carers understand their child’s developmental needs and access timely, appropriate support.
- Promoting inclusive practice across the Best Start Family Hub network and wider early years system.
- Working closely with education, health, SEND and community partners to strengthen coordinated support for children aged 0–5.
- Contributing to local tools, resources and pathways so information and advice is clear, accessible and useful for families.
- Supporting smoother transitions into early education and school by focusing on early identification, confidence-building and joined-up planning.
This post will be carrying out Regulated Activity. As such the post will require an Enhanced Criminal Record Check plus an additional Barred List Check. The check will reveal any spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions (which have not been filtered), any local Police information and a check of either the Adult, Child or Adult and Child Barred Lists.
If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by placing the below URL into your browser: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/jobs/job-descriptions/best-start-inclusion-practitioner/
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For an informal chat please contact Emma Kerridge on 01803207895 or emma.kerridge@torbay.gov.uk.
Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 7th September 2026.
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.
Skills
Essential:
- Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with parents, carers and professionals.
- Ability to work on own initiative and also as part of a team.
- Ability to organise and prioritise work with minimum supervision.
- Ability to use professional judgement and work collaboratively in a range of situations.
- Ability to observe children’s development and identify emerging concerns.
- This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
Knowledge
Essential:
- Strong knowledge of child development from birth to age 5, in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage Guidance.
- Understanding of SEND in the early years, including early identification and inclusive practice.
- Knowledge of local SEND systems, pathways and services.
- Understanding of the role of Best Start Family Hubs in supporting children and families.
- A sound working knowledge of safeguarding practice and the local offer.
Experience & Qualifications
Essential:
- Experience of working with families providing child development support in the early years, either in a Family Hub, health service, early help team, childcare setting, school or community group.
- Experience of modelling or promoting inclusive practice in an early years, family support, education or health context.
- Experience of supporting children with emerging additional needs and/or SEND.
- Experience of multi-agency working.
- NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in Early Years and Childcare or related field.
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