Inclusion Support Worker
Team: Children’s Services - Jigsaw Service
Job Family: Supporting - CBG5
Salary: £26,847 - £27,274 pro annum pro rata
Hours: 37 hours per week, term time only + 5 additionally paid training days
Location: You will be expected to attend a CBC office location as often as needed to carry out your role (Jigsaw Centre, Shelton Lower, MK43 0LS), which will be no less than once per month.
Contract Type: Hybrid - Permenant
Closing Date: 16th September 2026
Interview Date: w/c 21st September 2026
About the role
The Jigsaw Service is a social, emotional and mental health specialised support service provided by Central Bedfordshire Council that focuses on supporting the Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs of children and young people. The Jigsaw Service employs a dual approach (Outreach and In-Reach Support) for optimal support. The service's overarching aim is to reduce or eliminate the need for children to be excluded, due to the detrimental impact that it has on a child's well-being, development and future outcomes.
This is a highly rewarding, customer-focused role centered on helping children and young people with social, emotional, and mental health needs, primarily through in-reach support.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing direct support: Working with children within their school or setting to address their social, emotional, and mental health needs through various interventions.
- Collaborating with stakeholders: Supporting colleagues, schools, and education settings to effectively meet these children's needs, aiming to reduce the likelihood of suspensions and exclusions. This also involves working directly with teachers, support staff and parents/carers to enhance their understanding and strategies.
- Ensuring compliance: Making sure the Local Authority (LA) fulfils its legal obligations regarding 'day 6 provision', which typically refers to the educational provision for pupils excluded from school from the sixth day of their exclusion.
- Reintegration support: Assisting children who have been excluded or are returning from alternative provision to successfully re-enter and thrive in mainstream school environments.
We are looking for someone who has:
- Excellent communication skills.
- A willingness to further their knowledge and understanding of SEMH and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
- The ability to advocate for what's right.
- A commitment to always keeping decisions child-centred and support-focused.
- The ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- The ability to work flexibly and adapt to change.
Our Offer
We have a number of rewards and benefits available to our staff, to view these please visit our Rewards and Benefits page
Our aspiration is to be a truly flexible employer. We welcome discussion on location, hours and working pattern as part of the application process.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet the key accountabilities and competencies in this Recruitment Pack.
Our Competency Framework and Qualification Guidance are to be read in conjunction with our Recruitment Pack.
For an informal discussion about this position, please contact: Sara.Baulard@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 4310.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Safeguarding:
Central Bedfordshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers and contractors to share this commitment. This post is subject to the disclosure of criminal records.
To maintain a fair and consistent approach for applicants, it is Central Bedfordshire Council's policy to only consider applications made via our online application system and we therefore thank you for not submitting your application offline.
Your application to us is a reflection of who you are professionally and should give us an accurate and authentic picture of your skills, experiences and if applicable qualifications. Before you submit your application, we will ask you to confirm if you have used AI.
All new starters will join us on a four‑month probationary period. During this time, if you are offered a Hybrid role you will be required to attend a Central Bedfordshire Council office location more frequently to support thorough and well‑supported onboarding into your role. Please keep this in mind if you anticipate extensive travel to Central Bedfordshire.
Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for our roles. Successful applicants that may require a visa will need to consider the options for obtaining and/or maintaining the legal right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the contract offered.
Free information, advice and guidance into work or learning
Bedfordshire Employment and Skills Academy (BESA) provides free, impartial, information advice and guidance to those aged 16+ looking to get into work, learning or exploring a change of career.