Our Values

In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

About the team we are recruiting to

The role of the Early Years Quality Improvement and Safeguarding Service includes a remit to:

1. Quality Improvement

• Lead strategic development of Early Years across the City, working with a range of partners to implement the Governments ‘Best Start for Life’ programme. 
• Support and improve practice in early years settings, including: the private, voluntary and independent sector (PVI), childminders, childcare and out of school provision, Family Hubs and Schools, ensuring the best start to life for the youngest children in our city.
• Offer guidance on curriculum planning, assessment, and pedagogy (e.g., implementing the EYFS).
• Work directly with Early Years organisations to address inspection outcomes or those who are facing difficulties.

2. Workforce Development

• Deliver training, coaching, and mentoring to practitioners and leaders.
• Identify professional development needs across the sector, write and deliver training.
• Build leadership capacity in early years settings.

3. Safeguarding and Welfare

• Ensure settings understand and apply safeguarding and child protection policies.
• Support implementation of statutory welfare requirements.
• Promote children's wellbeing, including mental health and emotional resilience.

4. Inclusion and SEND Support

• Advise on inclusive practices for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
• Work alongside SENCOs and local SEND services.

5. School Readiness and Transitions

• Help ensure children are supported in their transition to school.
• Support settings in preparing children for the next stage of their education. 

6. Partnership and Collaboration

• Work with local authorities, health professionals, social services, and family support teams.
• Facilitate networks and forums for early years professionals.

7. Monitoring and Evaluation

• Conduct visits to assess and support settings in meeting regulatory and quality standards.
• Support settings in preparation for inspections (e.g., Ofsted).
• Use data to identify trends, inform strategy, and target support

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

What is the job role?

We are seeking to appoint knowledgeable motivated and passionate early years practitioner to join our successful team within the Education Improvement and Standards service area

37 hours per week (full-time, all year round)

The Early Years Adviser role is part of a small team supporting strategic development and continuous improvement of Early Years provision across the city; working in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders to deliver the Government’s Best Start for Life programme. 

This role is central to raising standards and outcomes for young children by supporting high-quality practice in early years settings, including PVI providers, childminders, schools, out-of-school provision, and Family Hubs.

The postholder will drive quality improvement through the provision of curriculum guidance, workforce development, and targeted support for settings facing challenges or inspection outcomes. They will support work related to safeguarding and wellbeing, promote inclusive practice for children with SEND, and ensure smooth transitions into school.

Working collaboratively with health, education, and social care partners, the role supports professional networks, delivers training and mentoring, and uses data to inform strategic planning and monitor impact. The overall aim is to ensure every child in the city has the best possible start in life through access to high-quality, inclusive, and supportive early years provision.

The postholder will work in a variety of early years organisations across the city. They will be directed by senior officers within the Early Years’ Service, supporting the delivery of the Local Authorities statutory duty for early years

All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role.

Please note, this advert may close early if we have a significant number of applications. 

These posts are exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Early Years professional to help lead the strategic development and continuous improvement of early years education and childcare across the city

The successful candidate will be open minded, flexible and excited about the development of new ideas and initiatives. They will have excellent communication skills and the ability and personal resilience to provide challenge in a way that facilitates change, whilst sustaining positive relationships and engagement. 

You use well developed knowledge, skills and experience to offer expert advice on curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment, as well as responding to inspection outcomes and supporting organisations facing challenges.

A key part of the role involves workforce development: we are looking for the skills and confidence required to deliver training, coaching and mentoring practitioners, and helping to build leadership capacity across the sector. You'll also have the knowledge and attention to detail to provide accurate advice on inclusive practice for children with SEND, champion safeguarding and wellbeing, and support smooth transitions into school.

This is a collaborative role, working closely with colleagues in education, health, and social care, and using data and evaluation to inform strategic planning and targeted support.

Every day is different, requiring a positive and flexible approach. The reward of knowing you can make a difference on a large scale will inspire and motivate the successful candidate to go the extra mile.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate knowledge, skills and experiences related to the job description and person specification.

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.

Pre-interview Assessment: Friday 19th September 2025

Interview Date: Thursday 2nd October 2025

About Coventry

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies

Coventry City Council