London Borough of Havering
Best Start Inclusion Practitioner
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Best Start Inclusion Practitioner - Salary - Grade G5 - £35,520 - £38,739 per annum
Havering SEND and Alternative Provision Service
Are you passionate about supporting children with SEND and their families to access the right help at the right time?
Havering SEND and Alternative Provision Service is a multidisciplinary team comprising Educational Psychologists, Advisory Teachers, Early Years Specialists, Counsellors, Occupational Therapists and other specialist professionals. Together, we work collaboratively to support children and young people with SEND, their families, and the educational settings they attend.
We are seeking a compassionate and motivated Best Start Inclusion Practitioner to join our growing service. This exciting role forms part of the Department for Education's Best Start in Life and Family Hubs Initiative, which aims to improve outcomes for babies, young children and families through joined-up services, early intervention and accessible family support.
As a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner, you will work directly with children, young people and families, helping to identify emerging needs at the earliest opportunity and ensuring families receive timely, practical and effective support. Through direct family work, signposting, early intervention and multi-agency collaboration, you will play a vital role in improving outcomes and reducing the need for escalation to statutory services.
About the Role
The Best Start Inclusion Practitioner supports the early identification of children and young people aged 0-19 with emerging or additional needs. Working within Family Hubs, community settings and alongside partner agencies, you will provide direct support to families and help them navigate local SEND services and support pathways.
You will empower parents and carers by helping them understand their child's needs, build confidence in supporting development and access appropriate services. Through observations, developmental discussions, targeted interventions and group support, you will help ensure children and families receive the support they need as early as possible.
This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of children and families while contributing to a borough-wide commitment to early intervention, inclusion and family-centred practice.
Key Responsibilities
The Best Start Inclusion Practitioner will:
- Provide high-quality information, guidance and signposting to families seeking support for their child.
- Support parents and carers to access appropriate services and navigate local SEND pathways.
- Help parents and carers prepare for meetings, appointments and SEND-related processes.
- Assist families in contributing to assessments, including supporting completion of the parent/carer section of Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments.
- Provide flexible, direct and time-limited support to families.
- Undertake observations and developmental discussions to support early identification of need.
- Use evidence-based tools and approaches to identify emerging needs and support early intervention.
- Deliver targeted interventions, workshops and group sessions for children and families.
- Support access to SEND, health, education and community-based services.
- Work collaboratively with professionals across education, health and social care.
- Support children and families through key transitions into education and other services.
- Maintain accurate records and contribute to monitoring outcomes and impact.
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About You
We are looking for someone who:
- Holds a relevant Early Years, Family Support, Health, SEND or Child Development qualification at Level 3 or above.
- Has experience of working within local SEND systems and supporting children and families with additional needs.
- Has experience of direct family support and family-centred practice.
- Has experience of working collaboratively within multi-agency teams.
- Has knowledge and experience of safeguarding and child protection.
- Has excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrates empathy, compassion and a commitment to supporting families.
- Can problem solve effectively and identify practical solutions for children and families.
- Is passionate about inclusion, early intervention and improving outcomes for children with SEND.
Why Join Us?
This is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive and forward-thinking team dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families across Havering. As a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner, you will play a key role in delivering the DfE Best Start in Life and Family Hubs Initiative, helping families access the support they need and ensuring children with emerging and additional needs receive the best possible start in life.
If you are committed to empowering families, championing inclusion and making a difference through early intervention, we would love to hear from you.
- A tailored induction package
- Business support to streamline reporting and diary systems
- State of the art AI tools to support productivity and wellbeing
- Regular supervision
- Protected CPD time
- A talented, welcoming service of more than 100 educational professionals
- Work across a range of settings including Mainstream, Special Schools and ARPs
- Flexible and hybrid working options
- Excellent IT equipment and support
- Easily accessible workspaces and strong transport links including the Elizabeth Line
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For an informal discussion about the role, please contact the SEND Early Years Service Manager Natalie Browne on Natalie.Browne@havering.gov.uk
This post is a permanent post, though has been created linked to the government's Experts at Hand funding for Local Authorities for which there is currently commitment until the end of August 2029.
An enhanced DBS check is required for this post.
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Natalie.Browne@havering.gov.uk
The closing date for the receipt of applications is 31/08/2026, however interest in this job may be high and we therefore reserve the right to close the vacancy early.
You will be notified if your application has been successful. Interview date to be confirmed.
Please view Job Profile [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NLqDBouyFZ3y3W571UI3EPKlpf_pdb9O/view?usp=sharing] here
Additional Information
We want everyone to choose Havering. When you apply for a job with us, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. Our residents and service users come from all walks of life, and so do our employees. Find out what it means to Choose Havering [https://www.havering.gov.uk/info/20207/havering_staff/831/choose_havering].
The London Borough of Havering has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.
We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.
With its excellent transport links into central London, extensive town centre regeneration and the highest concentration of green space anywhere in London, Havering has a unique offer as a place to live, work and visit. By making the most of its position and opportunities, Havering is becoming a hub for start-ups and expanding businesses, as well as construction, logistics, engineering and manufacturing industries.
Find out why you should work for Havering Council [https://www.havering.gov.uk/info/20197/jobs_-_why_work_for-us].
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