Job Introduction
Joining us in a brand-new role as a School Navigator, you'll play a vital role in helping schools, children, young people and families achieve positive, lasting change across Hampshire. As part of a newly established countywide Early Help team, you'll provide timely support that helps schools build early help capability and capacity, while enabling families to overcome challenges, build resilience and access the right services before concerns escalate.
With a proactive nature and a collaborative, problem-solving approach, you'll work directly with schools to identify solutions, promote positive change and improve outcomes for children. Working closely with Education and Social Care colleagues and partner agencies, you'll ensure children's needs remain at the centre of decision-making while empowering families to build on their strengths and achieve positive outcomes.
What you'll do
- Directly support schools and education settings to provide early help to children and families at the earliest opportunity.
- Identify gaps and opportunities, helping schools build capacity and capability in identifying early help needs and facilitating support.
- Help schools and families access the right services and resources by connecting them with local support and recommending further intervention where needed.
- Be a locality expert for early help, enabling shared awareness between schools and Family Help teams of vulnerable children and ensuring appropriate support is in place where needed.
- Work collaboratively with education, health, social care, police and community organisations to strengthen and develop early help provision for children and families through schools.
- Identify and escalate safeguarding concerns in line with organisational procedures, while maintaining accurate records and preparing clear, high-quality reports.
What we're looking for
- Level 3 qualification (or above) in early years, education, health, child development or a related field, or equivalent experience of working with children and young people aged 0-19 in education or early years settings.
- Demonstrable experience working with children and their families to improve outcomes in early help, education, early years, or social care.
- Knowledge of child development and an understanding of the impact of disadvantage on children and families.
- Strong communication, relationship-building, influencing and negotiation skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively, use initiative, maintain accurate records and demonstrate professional integrity.
Why join us?
- Be part of a newly created countywide team helping to shape and strengthen Hampshire's Early Help offer.
- Enjoy a varied and rewarding role where you'll engage with a range of stakeholders to make a meaningful difference to schools, children and families through timely intervention and partnership working.
- Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
- Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
We have multiple vacancies available across Hampshire, based in the following localities: Basingstoke, Test Valley (Andover), East Hampshire (Alton), New Forest (Totton), Hart & Rushmoor (Aldershot and Farnborough), Eastleigh & Winchester, Fareham & Gosport, and Havant. When completing your application, please tell us which location(s) you would like to be considered for, as you may express interest in more than one vacancy.
To learn more about this role, please review our Candidate Pack available on our website. Please click on the Apply button for details.
Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK.
Other job titles you may be searching for include: Family Support Practitioner, Early Help Practitioner, Early Intervention Practitioner, Family Intervention Practitioner, School Family Support Worker, Family Liaison Worker.
Safer Recruitment
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.
