Early Years Support Officer

Salary: Grade 13, Ranging from £26,847 to £29,071 per annum.

Contract: Fixed Term – 2 Years, funded through the Best Start in Life Project.

Hours:  37 Hours a week.

Closing date: 4th November 2026

Make a difference where it matters most.

Join our dedicated Early Years team and play a key role in shaping high-quality education and care across Somerset. Working with providers, practitioners, families and partners, you'll support children to thrive, influence best practice, and help ensure every child has the strongest possible start in life

About the Role 

As an Early Years Support Officer, you'll help drive high-quality early years education and care across Somerset. Working closely with the Education Relationship Manager, you'll support early years settings to deliver outstanding outcomes for children through guidance, training, quality assurance, and continuous improvement. You'll work in partnership with practitioners, families, and external agencies to promote children's development, ensure compliance with legislation and standards, and help shape effective early years practice across the county.

How You'll Make a Difference 

• Offering guidance, training and support to early years practitioners, monitoring the effectiveness of early years programmes, and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and standards.
• Supporting the development and implementation of early years education strategies and policies, working with colleagues to ensure that early year’s settings across the council are providing high-quality education and care.
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with early years providers and other stakeholders.

What You'll Bring

• A relevant qualification in early childhood education or a related field.
• Experience in an early year’s education setting.
• Knowledge of relevant early years legislation, research and standards.
• Excellent communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders to promote the best outcomes for young children.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluating early years programmes and practice.

Why Join Us? 

At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life. 

• Generous annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave. 

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most enhanced and secure pension schemes. 

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow. 

• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services. 

• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work. 

Find out more about working at Somerset Council: 
https://www.somerset.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/working-at-somerset-council/ 

Further Information 

• 25 day’s annual leave (additional to bank holidays per annum)
• Your work base will be County Hall, Taunton. However, you will be required to travel to work with providers in your locality.
• There are 2 posts available, one in Taunton and West Somerset, and one in Mendip and East Somerset.
• Interviews will take place on 17th November 2026.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for VISA sponsorship.  

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Ali Garbett Service Manager: Education Relationships and Early Years Lead Somerset Council at 01823357847 or alison.garbett@somerset.gov.uk

We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset. 

You can find a copy of the job description here:  TR0037 Early Years Support Officer.pdf 

Ref: 1511/AB