Early Years Advisory Practitioner

Children’s Services

Education, Skills and Early Years

Expert at Hand Early Years Advisory Practitioner

Ref: 001776

Contract: Fixed Term (3 years)

Salary: £40,444 - £44,253 per annum (Grade 7)

Location: Oldham Council Offices, Spindles Shopping Centre, George Street, Oldham, OL1 1HD, Schools, Settings and Oldham Family Hubs

Closing Date: Tuesday 13 October 2026

Interview Date: Friday 23 October Tuesday 27 October 2026

Role Overview:

The Expert at Hand Early Years Advisory Practitioner plays a key role in supporting the delivery of Oldham Council’s Best Start in Life Strategy, SEND Reform Programme and Early Years Improvement priorities. The post works collaboratively with schools, academies, maintained nursery schools, private, voluntary and independent (PVI) providers, childminders, Family Hubs, health services and other multi-agency partners to improve outcomes for children from birth to five years.

The role focuses on raising the quality of early years provision through targeted support, challenge, advice, training and workforce development. A key objective is to improve school readiness, child development outcomes and inclusive practice, ensuring that all children, particularly those facing disadvantage or requiring additional support, can achieve their full potential.

The postholder leads the development of district-based Early Years Networks across Oldham, encouraging collaboration, professional learning and the sharing of effective practice. They support leaders and practitioners to evaluate and improve provision through self-assessment, data analysis, quality assurance activities and improvement planning.

A significant aspect of the role involves promoting early identification and intervention for children with SEND, advising settings on inclusive approaches and supporting the implementation of SEND reforms. The practitioner also works strategically with partners across education, health, early help and social care to ensure coordinated support for children and families.

Through training, coaching and capacity-building activities, the postholder develops practitioner expertise in child development, quality first teaching, parental engagement and early intervention. They use evidence, performance data and quality assurance findings to target support, measure impact and contribute to continuous service improvement. Ultimately, the role provides professional leadership and system-wide improvement support to strengthen early years provision across the borough and improve life chances for young children.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate quality improvement activity across Early Years settings, schools and partner agencies to improve outcomes for children aged 0-5.
  
• Provide professional challenge, support and advice to settings to improve quality, inclusion, attendance and child outcomes.
  
• Design, deliver and evaluate high-quality training, coaching and workforce development programmes for practitioners and leaders.
  
• Support the implementation of SEND reforms, inclusive practice and early intervention pathways across the borough.
  
• Develop and facilitate Early Years Networks and partnerships that promote collaboration, best practice and continuous improvement.

Key Requirements:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) or an equivalent professional qualification, supported by ongoing professional development.
  
• Significant experience in the Early Years sector, including improving outcomes, leading practice improvement, delivering training and supporting children with additional needs.
  
• Strong knowledge of the EYFS Framework, child development, SEND legislation and inclusive practice, alongside excellent communication, coaching and data analysis skills.

About Us:

We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities. We’ve identified three missions with our residents and partners, focusing on what will deliver the biggest impact:

A Great Place to Live, Healthier, Happier Lives, and Green and Growing.

We’re looking for candidates who will support us to achieve our ambitions and we encourage you to download our Corporate Plan: Ready for the Future and our Oldham Plan for further information.

Our Values and Behaviours:

By driving innovation, investing in our people, and championing our communities, we will ensure that Oldham continues to be a place where everyone can live their best life. To support this, we have three core values which define who we are and how we operate. These are ‘Proud, Ambitious, and Together’, and they shape our culture, inform our decisions, and inspire us to deliver on our commitments to the people of Oldham.

We have translated these values into five behaviours which guide our actions and are the standards we hold ourselves to, day in and day out:

• Work with a resident focus
• Support local leaders
• Committed to the borough
• Delivery high performance
• Take ownership and drive change

You can find out more about our values and behaviours on our greater.jobs Oldham page

Our Benefits Package:

At Oldham Council we offer a great benefits package for our employees, which includes the following:

• 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10-years’ service
• The option to purchase additional annual leave.
• An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.
• Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.
• Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.
• Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.
• Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
• Staff recognition and celebration events.
• Peer support groups

Inclusive Recruitment:

We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years or 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years whilst aged 18 or over, please refer to the link below for details for how to obtain your Certificates of Good Character. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application.

If you’re an applicant with disabilities and have previously been in or currently in care, a carer, someone who has served in the Armed Forces, or you’ve participated in the GM Elevate Programme, and you meet the essential criteria of the role, you are guaranteed to reach the first stage of assessment under ourGuaranteed Assessment Scheme.

Data and Privacy:

For details of how we use your data please see our Privacy Notice

Important Information:

Please note that should a vacancy that has been released for internal or external recruitment be deemed suitable for a current employee at risk of redundancy, it can be pulled back at any point, up to the post being formally offered to a candidate who is not at risk of redundancy.

Right to Work in the UK from 1st July 2021.doc

Supporting Documents