Best Start Inclusion Practitioner

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 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 regarding next steps will be shared following the closing date. 

This vacancy is being advertised internally:

• ·our employees
• agency workers currently working for us
• casual workers currently working for us

Applications are welcomed as either:

• a fixed-term appointment, or
• a secondment opportunity for existing employees (Secondment until 31st March 2029)

Candidates seeking appointment on a secondment basis should note that release from their substantive post is subject to management approval and operational requirements.

If we cannot appoint someone, the vacancy may then open to external candidates.
Employees working within a school are not considered internal applicants.

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]

Start date 1/10/2026

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.