Are you passionate about improving outcomes for young children and ensuring high-quality, inclusive early years provision? We're looking for an experienced Early Years & Childcare Advisor to play a vital role in supporting, challenging and guiding early years settings across the county. This is an opportunity to use your expertise to influence practice, promote safeguarding, and help close the achievement gap for disadvantaged children, making a real difference to families and communities.
Responsibilities
* Support providers to meet statutory requirements including the EYFS, safeguarding legislation and Ofsted regulations.
* Promote high-quality, inclusive practice that improves outcomes for all children, particularly vulnerable groups.
* Deliver targeted and universal support visits, including to settings causing concern.
* Analyse data, Ofsted outcomes and feedback to identify trends, risks and improvement priorities.
* Provide expert guidance on safeguarding, child protection and managing allegations.
* Contribute to service development, market management and commissioning activity.
* Develop and deliver training, networking opportunities and specialist guidance across the sector.
* Work collaboratively with partners, SENCOs and wider services to support children with SEND and early help needs.
Qualifications and Experience
Applicants should be a confident, credible professional with substantial experience in early years, education, health or social care, and a strong understanding of the statutory and regulatory landscape.
* In-depth knowledge of the EYFS, safeguarding guidance, SEND Code of Practice and childcare legislation.
* Experience advising and supporting early years providers to improve quality and outcomes.
* Strong analytical and report‑writing skills, with the ability to interpret complex information and data.
* Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills, with the confidence to challenge and influence practice.
* Ability to organise and prioritise a varied workload, making sound professional judgements.
* A collaborative, solution‑focused approach aligned with public service values.
Education and requirements: degree level (with QTS), GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths and English, a full driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Mobile role requiring travel across the county, with occasional evening or weekend work.
Equal Opportunities
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:
* All unspent convictions and conditional cautions.
* All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).
Benefits
* Fair and inclusive culture.
* The chance to really make a difference to those around you.
* Health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops.
* A unified voice through our Employee Representative Group.
* Ongoing support and opportunities to develop and progress in your career.
* Flexible working arrangements and work-life balance.
* Club memberships, discounts on cafes, restaurants, shops and auto-enrolment onto a generous Pension Scheme.
* Discounted gym memberships, travel discounts and more.
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