Job Description

Suffolk County Council

Address:

Bury St Edmunds IP33 3YU, Ipswich IP1 2BX or Lowestoft NR33 0EQ - Community based

Salary:

40,777 per annum (pro rata if part time)

Hours:

37 hours a week, flexible working options available

Contract:

Permanent



As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, we're driven to make a positive difference the communities we serve and the careers of our people. That's why, when you join us as an

Early Years and Childcare Advisor,

you will enjoy a dynamic work environment where your ideas are valued, your potential is nurtured, and your work makes a tangible difference. Ready to reimagine what your career could be.

Your role and responsibilities

This challenging and varied role holds responsibilities across a wide range of disciplines including Early Years Inclusion, Early Education Funding, the Early Years Foundation Stage, Childcare Business Development and Sufficiency and direct support to providers to help them improve their Ofsted judgements.

You will:

provide support and challenge to early years professionals working in the private, voluntary, independent and maintained sectors work directly with vulnerable children and their families (including those with special educational needs and disabilities) develop quality early education places for children aged 9 months to four years and wraparound places for school aged children.

You will need:

a degree and either

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Early Years Professional status (EYP) or Early Years Teacher status (EYT)

recent Early Years practice experience or experience in an Early Years advisory role a sound understanding of the early years and childcare sector, with a detailed knowledge of relevant policy and practice.



You can view a full list of requirements in the

Job and Person Profile (Word)

. If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

You will be working within the Early Years and Childcare Service. The role of the service is critical in supporting early years providers to deliver flexible and high-quality care to all children.

Empowering Everyone

We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our

Workforce Equality Report

.

For more information

Please contact

Liz Pitts

(she/her) for an informal conversation. You can reach them by calling

01449 742868

or

liz.pitts@suffolk.gov.uk

.

How to apply

Step 1 -

Read the

Job and Person Profile (Word)

.

Step 2 -

Click 'Apply Now' to start your online application.

Step 3 -

Upload asupporting statementanswering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the

Supporting Statement template

.


Describe a situation where you had to tailor your communication style to suit different audiences (e.g., parents, other education providers, colleagues). What did you learn from the experience? Can you give an example of how you supported a child with SEND in an early year's setting? What strategies did you use to ensure inclusion and positive outcomes? Describe a time when you had to interpret and apply new legislation or policy in your work. How did you ensure others understood and complied with it? How do you ensure that safeguarding policies and procedures are consistently followed?

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

Please note:

Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing

recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk

or calling

03456 014412

. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date:

11.30pm, 28 September 2025.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we

offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of

skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that

flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to

understand and support your individual needs. We're driven

to make a positive difference to the world around us and

encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:



up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase training and encouragement to expand your knowledge a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation diverse and active staff networks flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).