Job Details:
Job Reference: HCC622995
Salary Range: £40,643 - £45,077 per annum
Work Location: Dame Mary Fagan House, Basingstoke (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 5 January 2026
The Role:
Making a difference to the lives of children in early years with additional needs
The Inclusion Setting Support Officer contributes to a statutory duty in response to Government legislation, such as the SEND Code of Practice 2015, The Children Act 2004, The Childcare Act 2006, the Equality Act 2010 and Children and Families Act 2014, to ensure early identification and support for children with Special Educational Needs and/or additional needs
What you’ll do:
The Services for Young Children (SfYC) Inclusion Setting Support Officer (ISSO) Service offers support and guidance on including children with additional needs in Hampshire’s Early Years settings such as nurseries, preschools and childminders.
Advice and guidance is provided to aid early identification and support early interventions for children of concern and is offered primarily to the setting Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo). This support includes advice line and face to face support via support surgeries, the provision of termly SENCo support group meetings, a variety of training opportunities and guidance on outside agency support or referrals to other professionals if required.
What we’re looking for:
Experienced in working in / with early years education and childcare settings, you will have recent and relevant knowledge and experience of child development and approaches to supporting children with a wide variety of SEND. You will be well organised and self-motivated. You will be a good listener and communicator; with the ability to persuade and challenge whilst also having a tactful and sensitive approach.
Why join us?
Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. A modern, forward-looking local authority, it offers a pleasant, supportive, and collaborative working environment.
Hampshire County Council is also a flexible employer interested in making the most of your skills and offers a great work life balance. We invest in you through our internal development programmes and training and offer a competitive salary and benefits package.
Additional Information:
Inclusion Setting Support Officer Candidate Pack
Vetting Requirements:
This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:
Sarah Hunt, Childcare Inclusion Manager on sarah.hunt@hants.gov.uk
Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.
We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.