Classifications
Job Information
Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government. To find out more about us click here.
Please review our Candidate Application Guide before submitting your application, it’s packed with helpful tips to guide you through our application and interview process, while showing you what we are looking for.
Best Start Inclusion Practitioner
The Best Start Inclusion Practitioner supports families of children aged 0–18 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) within Family Hub and Early Years settings. We are looking for a dedicated worker to empower and support families with children aged 0–18 who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
About the role
A particular focus of this role will be on supporting families with children in the 0–5 age range as part of the Best Start Family Hub Government strategy. This is a varied, meaningful role where you’ll influence practice, empower families, and contribute to improved outcomes across the borough.
The post holder will:
- Provide frontline SEND and inclusion support within Family Hubs and community settings.
- Support families through drop-ins, group sessions, stay and play activities, and home visits.
- Help identify emerging SEND needs through observation, assessment tools, and professional judgement.
- Deliver targeted interventions and parenting support to improve outcomes for children and families.
- Support families to access appropriate services through effective signposting and multi-agency working.
Free onsite parking is available.
For further information about this role, please contact Danny Gomm by email danny.gomm@achievingforchildren.org.uk for an informal discussion.
About you
You will bring passion, creativity, and a strong understanding of early child development. You will also demonstrate:
- Educated to Level 3 qualification in SEND (or equivalent by demonstrable training and experience).
- Knowledge of SEND legislation, local systems, and support mechanisms.
- Experience working with children with SEND needs and their families.
- Ability to build strong partnerships and work collaboratively with families, schools, and multi-disciplinary teams.
A full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work will be required.
About our benefits
We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:
- 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month (Or for term-time workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract)
- Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
- Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
- Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- A range of staff benefits and discounts
- An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway
To find out about all of the breadth of benefits of working for Achieving for Children click here. For our social work offer click here. For our Recruitment Journey, click here.
Important Information
Start dates: Achieving for Children have set start dates meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month. Candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.
Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance.
Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
