Project and Change Officer - Early Years Communities

Salary: Grade 11, ranging from £33,673- £37,563 per annum 

Contract: Fixed Term – 2 Years. 

Hours:  37 Hours a week.  

Closing date: 5th November 2026 

Join us on our mission to give every child the best possible start in life in Somerset.  

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape and deliver locality-based Early Years Communities as part of Somerset’s Best Start in Life programme. You will bring together early years settings, schools, health services, SEND partners, family support services and community organisations to strengthen partnership working, share effective practice and improve outcomes for young children and families across Somerset. 

Using project and change management principles, you will coordinate plans, governance, engagement and improvement activity, helping partners turn shared priorities into practical action. Your work will support stronger early years transitions, greater consistency for providers and progress towards Good Level of Development outcomes, particularly for children experiencing disadvantage or additional barriers. 

About the Role 

As Project and Change Officer – Early Years Communities, you will support the development, coordination and delivery of locality-based Early Years Communities and Communities of Practice. You will make sure activity is well planned, governed, monitored and reviewed against agreed timescales, resources, quality standards and intended benefits. 

You will coordinate project and change plans, maintain clear documentation, monitor progress, risks and issues, and provide concise updates to programme leads and governance groups. You will also facilitate professional networks, workshops and stakeholder events, helping partners build shared ownership and follow through on agreed actions. 

Working across organisational and professional boundaries, you will use evidence, data and feedback to identify local priorities, overcome barriers and support the development, testing and spread of effective practice. If you are an organised and collaborative project professional who is passionate about improving early years outcomes, we would love to hear from you.

 How You'll Make a Difference 

• Support the development and delivery of locality-based Early Years Communities and Communities of Practice across Somerset. 

• Coordinate project, change, implementation, stakeholder and communications plans, ensuring activity remains focused and achievable. 

• Maintain high-quality project documentation, including plans, milestones, highlight reports, risk and issue logs, action logs and benefits measures. 

• Monitor progress against agreed outcomes, identify barriers and dependencies, and support corrective action or escalation where needed. 

• Bring together early years settings, schools, health, SEND, family support, community organisations and other partners to strengthen local networks and joined-up working. 

• Plan and facilitate workshops, consultations, awareness events and professional learning activity, securing clear actions and follow-through. 

• Use data, feedback and professional insight to identify patterns, gaps and opportunities for focused locality improvement activity. 

• Support the development, testing and spread of effective practice, including approaches that improve early years transitions and consistency of support for providers. 

• Develop clear project and change communications for different audiences, using appropriate channels and responding to stakeholder feedback. 

• Contribute to progress towards Good Level of Development outcomes, with a focus on children experiencing disadvantage or additional barriers. 

What You'll Bring

• Sound knowledge and practical understanding of project and change management methods, tools and controls, including planning, governance, risk, issue, dependency, stakeholder and benefits management. 

• An understanding of the early years and the factors that influence child development, school readiness, effective transition and Good Level of Development outcomes. 

• Experience of managing or coordinating projects or defined work assignments to agreed time, quality and resource requirements. 

• Experience of producing and maintaining clear project documentation and providing concise reports, briefings, recommendations and communications. 

• Excellent organisation and planning skills, with the ability to manage concurrent activities, deadlines, dependencies and competing priorities. 

• Strong facilitation, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage varied professional audiences, influence across organisational boundaries and create shared ownership. 

• The ability to translate strategic outcomes into practical delivery plans, measurable outputs, clear responsibilities and proportionate reporting. 

• Confidence in analysing data and feedback, solving problems, constructively challenging barriers and escalating issues appropriately. 

• A relevant higher-level qualification, or equivalent substantial experience, in project management, business administration, education, early years, public services or a related discipline. 

• A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, and to improving outcomes for children and families. 

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 

• 30 days’ annual leave, in addition to bank holidays. 

• The role will support locality-based Early Years Communities across Somerset. 

• Interviews scheduled from 13th 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:  TR0322 Project and Change Officer - Early Years Communities.pdf 

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