Dorset Council UK
Best Start Inclusion Practitioner
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Dorset is progressing the development of Best Start Family Hubs as the core model for delivering integrated support for children aged 0-5 and their families. This approach brings together early help, health, early years and inclusion services to provide accessible, coordinated support within local communities, with a clear focus on improving outcomes for children and families, including school readiness and the Good Level of Development.
As part of this programme, the Department for Education has provided further clarification on the Best Start Inclusion Practitioner (BSIP) role, reinforcing expectations for a visible, accessible, family-facing workforce that supports earlier identification of need and inclusive practice.
We are now moving into delivery of this model in Dorset and are inviting expressions of interest for these exciting new fixed-term roles.
About The Role
Best Start Inclusion Practitioners will play a key role within Dorset's Best Start Family Hub network, strengthening early support for children aged 0-5 with emerging or additional SEND needs and their families. The posts are fixed term until 31 March 2029.
BSIPs will be part of the Best Start Workforce, reporting to the Best Start Workforce and Practice Lead. Working across Family Hubs and Network Sites, these Practitioners will provide visible, accessible support to families while helping to strengthen inclusive practice across the Best Start Family Hub network.
There are 8 positions currently being recruited and each practitioner will be based in an existing Family Hub location: North x 1, Purbeck X 2, East x 2, Chesil x 1 Dorchester & West x 2
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This Is a Highly Relational, Community-based Role Focused On
- Providing early SEND-related information, advice, guidance and reassurance to parents and carers who have concerns about their child's development or additional needs
- Helping families understand available support, navigate services and access help at the earliest opportunity
- Promoting and modelling inclusive practice within Family Hubs and community settings
- Supporting children with SEND and their families to access inclusive groups, activities and services
- Working alongside partners to create a more joined-up, preventative and family-centred system of support
- Contributing practice-based insight that helps strengthen the consistency and quality of support available across the Family Hub network.
BSIPs will not hold long-term caseloads of children or families. Instead, they will act as a trusted and approachable source of SEND-related advice, guidance and inclusion support at the earliest point of need.
Key Expectations
National Best Start guidance sets out clear expectations for the role:
- Each Family Hub will have access to a named Best Start Inclusion Practitioner (BSIP)
- BSIPs will be visible and accessible within Family Hubs, Network Sites and community settings
- Practitioners will undertake outreach activity, including home visits where appropriate
- Approximately 75% of the BSIP’s time will be spent delivering direct support to families in their designated Family Hub through:
- Drop-in sessions
- Booked appointments
- Group activities
- Best Start Family Hub delivery and events
- The remaining time will support partnership working, inclusive practice and engagement with early years settings and other services.
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Our Dorset Approach
In Dorset, BSIPs will work as part of an integrated Best Start Family Hub team alongside:
- Best Start in Life Advisors
- Best Start Parenting and Activity Practitioners
- Best Start Family Navigators
- Early Years Leads & early years settings
- Health and SEND partners
- Voluntary and community sector organisations.
Together, these roles will help ensure families experience coordinated, accessible and inclusive support, reducing duplication and helping families receive the right support at the right time. The BSIP role will be matrix line managed by The Best Start Family Hubs Workforce and Practice lead
Who We Are Looking For
We are seeking to recruit to 8 positions based in the Family Hubs across Dorset. We are interested in hearing from colleagues who:
- Have experience working with young children and families, particularly where there are additional or emerging needs
- Have knowledge or experience of SEND and early child development
- Are confident in providing advice, guidance and support using a strengths-based, relationship-focused approach
- Are passionate about inclusion and improving outcomes for children and families
- Work effectively in partnership with other professionals and services
- Are comfortable working flexibly across community-based settings and localities.
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