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Early Years Area SENCO
Please apply online by clicking the link below
Wirral Council is a place where you can genuinely make a difference, guided by strong organisational values that shape everything we do. Our values, ambitious, professional, resident‑focused and accountable, act as our organisational DNA, influencing how we work, lead and support one another every day. We take pride in delivering great services, acting with integrity, building positive relationships, and always putting residents first, creating a supportive and inclusive culture where everyone can “be the best we can be”. With our beautiful surroundings, ambitious future plans, and a commitment to empowering staff to #BeTheDifference, Wirral Council offers an inspiring environment to grow your career and make a lasting impact.
Eary Years Area SENCO x 2
About the Role:
Are you passionate about improving outcomes for young children, particularly those with additional needs?
This is an exciting opportunity to join Wirral’s Early Years Area SENCO Team, playing a key role in strengthening inclusive practice across the borough. You will work in close partnership with early years settings, professionals and families to support children with SEND to thrive in their local communities
Working in a hybrid capacity, you will spend time in settings across Wirral, at home and within our office base. You will provide expert advice, support and challenge to settings, working closely with SENCOs and practitioners to build confidence, develop inclusive practice and improve outcomes for children.
A key part of the role will involve coaching practitioners, modelling strategies in practice and ensuring guidance is embedded consistently across settings. You will also contribute to assessment and funding processes, undertake observations and support settings to respond effectively to a wide range of needs.
This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking team, shaping the future of inclusive early years practice and ensuring every child has the best possible start in life.
About the Candidate:
We are looking for a collaborative and proactive team player who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving service. The successful candidate will be open to change and innovation, bringing a positive approach to the SEND reform agenda and a clear commitment to inclusive early years provision.
They will have experience of working with children under five and a strong understanding of SEND and Early Years frameworks. They will be confident in translating guidance into practical, meaningful support for practitioners, and will communicate with warmth, professionalism and sensitivity to build effective relationships.
Please note the following dates are provisional and may be subject to change depending on service requirements. We will endeavour to keep to these dates wherever possible.
- Shortlisting: Week commencing 24th August 2026
- Observations: Week commencing 7th September 2026
- Interviews: Week commencing 14th September 2026
Due to the high volume of enquiries, we may not be able to respond to all individual queries before the vacancy closing date. To ensure all prospective applicants have access to the same information and an opportunity to ask questions, please join one of our scheduled information sessions on either Friday 7th August at 9am or Monday 17th August at 3pm.
To book your place, please email eysend@wirral.gov.uk
If you require further information about the role, please email georginabirchharper@wirral.gov.uk
This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check, including a check of the relevant Barred List(s). The Safer Recruitment & Employment Policy and the Disclosures for Recruitment Procedure can be found at : https://www.wirral.gov.uk/jobs-and-training/job-vacancies/safer-recruitment-and-employment
We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. For this vacancy, candidates must have an existing right to work in the UK before commencing employment. Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is not available for this post. Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process.
If you’re already a Wirral Council employee, and as part of our Talent Strategy, we’re committed to strengthening opportunities for our people to learn, grow, progress and thrive. For many of you, this may be preparing and applying for your next role with us, and we're passionate about ensuring you feel supported throughout your internal recruitment experience. Please get in touch if you want to know more about some of the ways in which we could support you by emailing recruitment@wirral.gov.uk
If you are a Wirral resident, are unemployed or out of work, and require help with your application, please contact Involve Northwest’s employment and skills team on info@involvenorthwest.org.uk or contact 0151 644 4500 or 0151 652 4349.
Working at Wirral
You’ll also want to know what it’s like to work here so, as a start:
Our values are more than just pieces of paper on our walls! We’ve all played a role in developing these, so they reflect the immense pride we have in what we do, what matters to us, what inspires us and inform how we think, approach things and behave.
We believe in ensuring staff are well looked after, staff wellbeing is a priority for us. We’re serious about recognising and rewarding people for the great things they do. You’ll benefit from our track record of developing, growing and investing in our people.
We have a range of staff benefits including staff discounts, enrolment into the local government pension scheme (an excellent defined benefit scheme), immediate life cover and ill-health protection. We have a strong flexible working approach, hybrid working, family-friendly employment initiatives and an annual leave package starting with 28 days leave plus public holidays.
We have an inclusive, engaged culture, everyone has a voice, everyone is valued for their contribution and understands the role they play in delivering our strategic priorities.
Each voice is heard, each contribution valued. We embrace diversity in our workforce and recognise it is critical to our success. We support an inclusive culture that champions differences and nurtures a sense of belonging. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds, who share our values and our commitment to inclusion to apply for roles with us.
We want you to be your best at work, we create the conditions to help you thrive and we mirror this in our recruitment process. If you’d like us to do anything differently during the recruitment process to make it barrier-free and as accessible as possible please contact recruitment@wirral.gov.uk
Please note that in accordance with the Council’s policy, employees who are in a formal redeployment situation will be considered in the first instance for all vacancies.
It is Council policy not to re-appoint any employee who has left under the terms of the Council's Early Voluntary Retirement (EVR) scheme or who have left with a voluntary severance (VS) package, unless in exceptional circumstances.
Applications will be accepted until midnight on the closing date.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications.
Applications can only be accepted through the Jobs page following registration. Forms received via the post will not be processed.
All applicants invited to interview must evidence their right to work in the UK. Details of required documents can be found by clicking the link at the bottom of the Jobs page.
The job description and other supporting documents will not be accessible once the vacancy closing date has passed so if a copy is required you should download it now.
We do not accept applications or CV’s from recruitment agencies, unless otherwise stated. Therefore, any candidates submitted via a recruitment agency will not be considered for this role.
Salary range
- £45,091 - £48,226 per year