Early Years Transformation Lead

 

 

Vacancy	Advert Wording	Closing Date	Charge Rate	Extra Information
*NEW* Early Years Transformation Lead	We are seeking an expert in Early Years to join us as an Early Years Transformation Lead. This is an exciting opportunity to work in partnership with a range of services in response to the DfE Best Start in Life strategy and, following a recent peer review, to co-ordinate and lead on addressing recommendations.   This role is offered on an initial 6-month contract, with the possibility of extension to 12 months.   What we’re looking for Significant experience within the Early Years sector, ideally including leadership roles in Early Years settings. Proven experience of working within Early Years services in a Local Authority context, with a strong understanding of statutory responsibilities and service delivery. A substantive knowledge of Early Years practice, combined with a commitment to inclusion and multi-agency working to benefit children and families. Ability to gather views from Early Years providers, identify best practice, and lead strategic change across the system.   Desirable skills and experience Strong understanding of SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) within the Early Years context. Experience in promoting inclusive practice and reducing barriers for children and families. Knowledge of DfE initiatives and national Early Years policy. Proven ability to lead strategic projects and deliver measurable improvements. Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including working with multi-agency partners. Experience in quality improvement and supporting providers to achieve high standards.   Essential requirements Hybrid working: Candidates must be in Medway for a minimum of three days per week, working as part of a wider team (this will include council offices at various sites, partnership locations as well as EY settings in Medway). Willingness to visit Early Years settings to inform and drive transformation. Access to a vehicle with business insurance cover.   PLEASE NOTE: If your candidate cannot commit to three days per week in Medway, please do not submit them	10/12/2025	£450 - £500 per day	For further information please see the attached job profile

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medway Council Job Profile

 

 

 

Job Description

Job title Early Years Transformation Lead

Directorate PEOPLE : Children and Adults

Division Education and SEND

Range MPR 7

Reports to Lead Education Professional – Quality and Inclusion

 

 

Main purpose of the job:

To lead the strategic transformation of Early Years services across Medway, ensuring the delivery of high-quality,

inclusive, and evidence-informed provision for children from birth to five, with a particular focus on improving

outcomes for children with SEND and those experiencing disadvantage.

The postholder will drive forward service development embedding co-production, integrated working, and

system-wide improvement to ensure Medway’s youngest children thrive.

Liaise with stakeholders in a way that promotes the One Medway Council Plan and embeds our values and

behaviours.

Accountabilities and outcomes:

Strategic Leadership & Transformation

- Lead the development and implementation of a co-produced Early Years and SEND strategy, placing children

and families at the center. A shared strategic vision is embedded across services, resulting in improved

coordination, accountability, and measurable progress in Early Years outcomes.

- Translate strategic priorities into operational plans that deliver measurable improvements in quality,

inclusion, and outcomes. Transformation programs are delivered on time and within budget, with

demonstrable improvements in service quality and equity.

- Champion innovation, continuous improvement, and system change across the Early Years sector. Medway

is recognised for pioneering inclusive and high-impact Early Years practice, with increased sector confidence

and engagement.

Service Integration & Partnership Working

- Establish and lead multi-disciplinary teams to support children and families, ensuring transitions are well-

managed and support is matched to need. Families experience seamless support across services, with

reduced duplication and improved satisfaction.

 

 

Medway Council Job Profile

 

- Extend joint commissioning arrangements with health and other partners, including pooled resources and

integrated service delivery. Integrated services are more efficient and responsive, with improved access

and outcomes for children with complex needs.

- Develop mechanisms to improve navigation of the local offer for families of children with SEND. Families

report increased confidence and clarity in accessing support, with reduced delays and improved

engagement.

Quality Improvement & Workforce Development

- Refocus Early Years provision to deliver a rich universal offer, with clear guidance on ordinarily available

provision and a graduated response to need. Settings are better equipped to meet diverse needs, with

fewer referrals to specialist services and improved inclusion.

- Lead the design and delivery of an integrated training and leadership support offer for the Early Years

workforce. Workforce capability and confidence increase, with improved retention and quality of practice

across Medway.

- Promote inclusive learning environments and invest in settings to better meet the needs of children with

SEND. More children with SEND access and thrive in mainstream provision, with improved developmental

and educational outcomes.

Data, Performance & Funding

- Gather and analyse data to identify children most at risk, considering intersectionality and sufficiency.

Resources are targeted effectively, with reduced inequalities and improved outcomes for priority groups.

- Develop a transparent, responsive and robust approach to SENIF allocation and monitoring. SENIF is used

equitably and efficiently, with improved accountability and satisfaction among providers and families.

- Monitor performance against KPIs and report progress to senior leaders, elected members, and external

stakeholders. Decision-makers are well-informed, and services are continuously improved based on

evidence and feedback.

Safeguarding & Compliance

- Ensure all services comply with statutory duties, including EYFS, SEND Code of Practice, and safeguarding

frameworks. Medway maintains high standards of safety and compliance, with positive inspection

outcomes and stakeholder trust.

- Lead on safeguarding assurance across Early Years transformation programs. Safeguarding risks are

proactively identified and addressed, with improved protection for vulnerable children.

Staff & Budget Responsibilities

- Line management of Early Years staff and multi-agency working groups - Oversight of relevant budgets including SENIF, training programs, and commissioned services - Responsibility for securing and managing external funding and grants

At the discretion of the Head of Service, such other activities as may from time to time be agreed consistent

with the nature of the job described above.

 

Key Corporate Accountabilities:

To work with colleagues to achieve service plan objectives and targets.

To understand and actively keep up to date with GDPR responsibilities, including completing regular refresher

training.

 

 

Medway Council Job Profile

 

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility: all employees are required to act in such a way that safeguards the

health and well-being of children and vulnerable adults.

As a corporate parent, all council employees are responsible for ensuring the well-being and positive outcomes

of Medway’s care-experienced children and young people.

To participate in the Performance Appraisal process and contribute to the identification of own and team

development needs utilising the Career Progression Framework.

Work in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty to eliminate unlawful

discrimination, harassment and victimisation. Promoting equality of opportunity, fostering good relations and

improving the quality of life and opportunities for everyone living and working in Medway.

To ensure full compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Council's Health and Safety Policy

and all locally agreed safe methods of work.

To fully understand and be aware of the commitment to the duty under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder

Act 1998 to prevent crime and disorder.

Promote the Medway Carbon Neutral by 2050 commitment; supporting the Council action plan to ensure we

play our part in addressing the climate emergency.

Medway Council is a Category One responder in relation to the Civil Contingencies Act (2004) and as a result all

staff working for the Authority may be asked to carry out Category One response duties or stand into the role of

another member of staff who is responding to a Major Civil Incident.

Organisation:

This role reports to the Lead Education Professional – Quality and Inclusion

The post holder will have line management responsibility.

The post holder will be required to liaise with all stakeholders both internal and external to the organisation.

Working Style:

HYBRID - a flexible working arrangement whereby an employee can undertake their work either in the office

and/or partially or mainly from home on a temporary or permanent basis.

 

 

 

 

Medway Council Job Profile

 

Person specification All criteria at level A are considered essential unless stated otherwise.

Qualifications

Level A

- Degree-level qualification in Early Years, Education, Child Development or related field (Essential)

- Postgraduate qualification in leadership, SEND, or strategic management (Desirable)

 

Level B (in addition to level A criteria)

- Evidence of ongoing CPD in systems leadership, commissioning, or data-informed practice (Desirable)

 

Level C (in addition to levels A and B) - National or regional leadership training (e.g. NPQEL, SEND leadership programmes) (Desirable)

 

Knowledge

Level A - An in-depth understanding of the early years and childcare legislative framework and recent or

anticipated developments in early years and childcare provision.

- Knowledge and understanding of the needs of early years children and families including those

experiencing disadvantage.

- An understanding of child development and of the teaching and learning process.

- Knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and Ofsted guidance for early years and childcare

providers

- Knowledge and understanding of early years and childcare legislation, statutory duties, and Government

guidance on the early years’ free entitlement

- Up to date understanding of the requirements on Local Authorities to develop Early Years provision

Level B (in addition to level A criteria)

- Strong understanding of commissioning, sufficiency planning, and funding mechanisms (e.g. SENIF, DSG)

Level C (in addition to levels A and B) - Expert knowledge of Early Years systems, legislation, and national reform agendas

- Highly skilled in strategic commissioning, workforce development, and service integration

 

Experience

Level A

- Significant successful teaching or leadership experience in an early years setting.

- Proven track record of leading transformation in Early Years or SEND services

- Experience of managing multi-disciplinary teams and complex budgets

- Demonstrable success in partnership working across health, education, and community sectors

- Experience of co-production with families and service users

- Proven practical experience of implementing good quality learning opportunities.

 

 

Medway Council Job Profile

 

 

Level B (in addition to level A criteria)

- Substantial experience leading transformation in Early Years or SEND services across multiple settings or

localities

Level C (in addition to levels A and B)

- Extensive leadership experience at a senior level, with a track record of system-wide transformation

- Experience leading strategic partnerships and influencing national or regional policy

- Proven ability to secure and manage large-scale funding or innovation programmes

- Demonstrated impact on reducing inequalities and improving outcomes for priority groups

- Experience of working collaboratively with early years providers including schools, private, voluntary, and

independent providers

 

Skills

Level A

- Strong strategic planning, change management, and performance improvement skills

- Proven ability to effectively use data, intelligence and evidence to create meaningful insight and to inform

own decision making.

- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills

- Ability to build strong partnerships, maintain relationships and co-produce solutions to challenges across

a diverse set of stakeholders, including parents, early years providers and external partners

- Keeping and maintaining records, producing policy documents, accurate reports, presentations and

written updates to a range of stakeholders (which may include elected members, senior officers and

external partners).

- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and child-centred practice

- Visionary and collaborative leader

- Resilient, adaptable, and solution-focused

- Passionate about improving outcomes for young children and families

 

Level B (in addition to level A criteria)

- Skilled in using performance frameworks and KPIs to drive improvement

- Ability to lead complex change programmes and manage risk

- Confident in presenting to senior leaders, elected members, and external regulators

- Strategic thinker with a proactive, improvement-focused mindset

- Skilled collaborator and influencer across systems

- Committed to building sector capacity and sustainability

 

Level C (in addition to levels A and B)

- Ability to lead innovation, evaluate impact, and scale best practice

- Skilled in navigating political, financial, and operational complexity

- Respected influencer and advocate for children and families

- Inspires confidence, builds trust, and drives excellence across systems