About this role
<div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Team:</strong> Advisory Support Team<br><strong>Job Family:</strong> Supporting - CBG7</span><br><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Salary:</strong> £28,598 - £31,022 per annum </span><br><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Hours:</strong> 37 hours per week (3 positions across 3 localities)<br><strong>Location:</strong> You will be expected to attend a CBC office location as often as needed to carry out your role, which will be no less than once per month. <br><strong>Contract Type:</strong> Hybrid - Fixed Term until 31st March 2029<br><strong>Closing Date: </strong>14th July 2026<br><strong>Interview Date: </strong>30th and 31st July 2026</span></p> </div> <h3> </h3> <h3><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>About the Role</strong></span></h3> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Are you passionate about giving every child the very best start in life? Do you have a strong commitment to inclusion and early intervention? We have an exciting opportunity for a <strong>Best Start Inclusion Practitioner (BSIP)</strong> to join our dedicated <strong>Early Years SEND Advisory Team</strong>.</span></p> <h3> </h3> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">The Best Start Inclusion Practitioner plays a key role within our <strong>Best Start Family Hubs</strong>, providing <strong>early, flexible, and inclusive support</strong> to babies, young children, and their families. You will help identify emerging additional needs at the earliest stage and respond with practical, family-centred support that strengthens developmental outcomes and promotes inclusion across services.</span></p> <h3><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Support <strong>early identification of additional needs</strong>, using recognised tools such as the <strong>EYFS Progress Check at Age 2</strong> and insights from the <strong>2–2½ year health review.</strong></span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Provide <strong>practical advice, strategies, and modelling</strong> to families and early years settings to embed inclusive practices in everyday routines.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Promote <strong>inclusive, high-quality universal provision</strong>, supporting reasonable adjustments and early interventions.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Help families <strong>navigate local systems and services</strong>, ensuring they feel confident and supported.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Work collaboratively with <strong>Area SENCOs, Family Hub teams, early years settings, health professionals, and other specialists.</strong></span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Strengthen the capacity of the wider Family Hub network to deliver <strong>inclusive support for all children.</strong></span></li> </ul> <h3> </h3> <h3><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Working Arrangements</strong></span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Working within <strong>2 Best Start Family Hubs</strong> across one locality area.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Locality areas include: <strong>Dunstable and Houghton Regis / Leighton Buzzard and Flitwick / Ivel Valley.</strong></span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Standard <strong>Monday to Friday working pattern</strong>, with flexibility required to meet service needs.</span></li> </ul> <h3> </h3> <h3><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>About You</strong></span></h3> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">We are looking for someone who:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Has experience working with young children (0–5) and SEND.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Understands early child development and inclusive practice.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Is confident using assessment tools to identify need early.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Has excellent communication and partnership working skills.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Is passionate about supporting families and improving outcomes for all children.</span></li> </ul> <h3> </h3> <h3><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Why Join Us?</strong></span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Be part of a<strong> </strong>forward-thinking, supportive team.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Make a real impact on children’s early development and life chances.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Work in a collaborative, multi-agency environment.</span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Help shape inclusive practice across family hubs and early years services.</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Our Offer </strong></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">We have a number of rewards and benefits available to our staff, to view these please visit our <a href="https://jobs.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/content/Our-rewards-and-benefits/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rewards and Benefits page</a> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Our aspiration is to be a truly flexible employer. We welcome discussion on location, hours and working pattern as part of the application process. </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet the key accountabilities and competencies in this <a title="" href="https://centralbedfordshirecouncil.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/Communications/IgAyJkh4eBKBS73Pa630pbjcATfDpaBBfOw5-d5OV5FUwRQ?e=dbeS7Z" target="_self">Recruitment Pack</a>. </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Our <a href="https://centralbedfordshirecouncil.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/Communications/EuejD31meJ9GiiHyMPHL6V4BUJcaSc16Y3dGD4m8GxPfYA?e=Dg6Cg2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Competency Framework and Qualification Guidance</a> are to be read in conjunction with our Recruitment Pack. </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>For an informal discussion about this position, please contact: </strong>Penny Saffhill at [email protected] or call 0300 300 5520</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Safeguarding: </strong></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Central Bedfordshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers and contractors to share this commitment. This post is subject to the disclosure of criminal records. </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">To maintain a fair and consistent approach for applicants, it is Central Bedfordshire Council's policy to only consider applications made via our online application system and we therefore thank you for not submitting your application offline. </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong> </strong></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Our National Careers Service team offer a free monthly workshop covering CV writing and how to complete the statement sections of the Central Bedfordshire Council online application form. This MS Teams workshop is open to anyone from the UK and lasts around 1.5 hours. <a href="https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/xfp/form/667" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Please book your place here.</a> </strong></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">More information about this service can be found here: <a href="https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/207/support_getting_into_work_or_learning" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Support getting into work or learning | Central Bedfordshire Council</a> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Your application to us is a reflection of who you are professionally and should give us an accurate and authentic picture of your skills, experiences and if applicable qualifications. Before you submit your application, we will ask you to confirm if you have used AI. </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">All new starters will join us on a four‑month probationary period. During this time, if you are offered a Hybrid role you will be required to attend a Central Bedfordshire Council office location more frequently to support thorough and well‑supported onboarding into your role. Please keep this in mind if you anticipate extensive travel to Central Bedfordshire. </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for our roles. Successful applicants that may require a visa will need to consider the options for obtaining and/or maintaining the legal right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the contract offered. </strong></span></p> </div>