Best Start Inclusion PractitionerJobsGoPublic

About the role

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 30 hours, and 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

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.

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.

Further Information

Further information regarding next steps will be shared following the closing date.

This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deem suitable) available for use as needed.

This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them. It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders.

For an informal discussion, please contact Liz Curtis-Jones on [email protected] or Sue Jones on [email protected]

Previous applicants need not apply.

About Us

At Dorset Council, it's not just about the work we do, it's about how we do it. Hear directly from our employees about what makes Dorset Council special in this short video:

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We:

provide essential services that support over 300,000 residents

work in partnership to make a real difference

value every role and the impact it has on our communities

support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive

You will:

be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset

have access to a range of benefits and support

receive training and development opportunities to help your career progress

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible, if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.

Find out more about how to apply.