Salary: G7 SCP 24-27 (£36,581 - £39,481 per annum)
37 hours per week | Permanent | Community-based working
Do you believe every child deserves the best possible start in life? Are you passionate about inclusion, early intervention and helping children and families overcome barriers before they become bigger challenges?
Walsall Council
Best Start Inclusion Practitioners - Ref: CH10026
This is a rewarding opportunity to be part of a developing service that places children, families and inclusion at the heart of everything it does.
As a Best Start Inclusion Practitioner, you will provide direct, practical and timely support to children aged 0‑5 and their families across Family Hubs, community settings, outreach locations and early years provision.
You will:
- Support the early identification of developmental, communication and SEND needs.
- Work directly with children and families through observations, short interventions and practical support.
- Provide advice, guidance and coaching to parents, carers and practitioners.
- Help families access services through referrals, supported introductions and warm handovers.
- Support children during key transitions, including entry into early education and Reception.
- Work closely with education, health, SEND, Family Help and community partners.
- Contribute to inclusive practice, school readiness and improved outcomes for vulnerable children.
- Ensure safeguarding concerns are recognised, recorded and escalated appropriately.
You will be part of a supportive team committed to reducing inequalities, improving access to services and ensuring families receive help as early as possible.
We are looking for enthusiastic, compassionate and motivated practitioners who are passionate about making a difference.
You will have:
- A full and relevant Level 3 qualification or above in early years, education, health, SEND, child development, social care or a related field.
- Experience of working with babies, young children and their families.
- Knowledge of child development, inclusion, SEND and early intervention.
- Experience of supporting children with emerging or identified additional needs.
- Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
- The ability to work confidently with families, practitioners and partner agencies.
- Experience of delivering practical support, coaching, interventions or family support.
- A commitment to safeguarding and improving outcomes for children.
Most importantly, you will be someone who believes in the potential of every child and is motivated to help families access the support they need.
Read more about our benefits at https://go.walsall.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers-/benefits-of-working-for-us
This is a fantastic opportunity to join an ambitious and growing Best Start in Life programme that is making a real difference across the borough.
At Walsall Council we offer:
- Meaningful work that directly improves outcomes for children and families.
- The opportunity to support children at a crucial stage of development.
- A supportive and collaborative team environment.
- Strong multi‑agency partnerships and learning opportunities.
- Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Access to learning, development and progression opportunities.
- A strong commitment to wellbeing, inclusion and work‑life balance
If you would like to know more about this role, please contact: [email protected]
Responsibilities
- Lead the day‑to‑day delivery of Walsall’s Best Start in Life inclusion and community engagement programme.
- Lead, supervise and develop the Community Champions, ensuring high‑quality, safe and consistent practice.
- Coordinate activity across Family Hubs, early years, SEND, health, education, family support and community partners to improve access and early identification.
- Ensure children and families experience effective pathways, including timely support and warm handovers between services.
- Monitor performance, quality, safeguarding and equity of reach, using data, family voice and community intelligence to identify areas for improvement.
- Build strong partnerships with services and communities, addressing operational barriers and improving the experience of children and families.
- Support continuous improvement through quality assurance, evaluation, workforce development and evidence‑informed practice.
Qualifications
- A relevant qualification at Level 3 or above in early years, education, SEND, health, family support, community development, management or a related field, or equivalent substantial professional knowledge and experience accepted by the Council.
- Evidence of relevant management and continuing professional development, with commitment to maintaining current knowledge of Best Start, SEND, safeguarding and service‑improvement practice.
Closing date for applications: 20th November 2026
Must be available for interview week beginning 30th November and 7th December 2026
This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.
Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment. We will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce.
Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Note: Applicants appointed to posts that require an enhanced DBS clearance must declare any periods of time that they have lived, studied or worked abroad and be prepared to provide an Overseas Criminal Records Certificate (OCRC) or a Statement of Good Conduct (SOGC) relating to anytime they were overseas.
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