Are you an experienced leader with a passion for inclusion and improving outcomes for young children with additional support needs and their families?

Early Years Scotland is seeking an ambitious and knowledgeable Service Manager to lead the development, delivery and growth of our Inclusion Services, building on the success of our Creating Caring Connections programme. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and expand innovative services that support children, families and practitioners across Scotland.

Working closely with the senior leadership team, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for Inclusion Services, ensuring high-quality, responsive and impactful support for children with additional support needs and their families. You will develop programmes, build partnerships and champion inclusive practice across the early years sector.

You will also play a key role in supporting practitioners and partner organisations through the design and delivery of specialist professional learning, helping to build confidence, knowledge and capacity to meet the diverse needs of children and families.

Early Years Scotland is a registered charity and Scotland’s leading national specialist organisation dedicated to supporting our youngest children, from pre-birth to age five. With over 50 years of experience, we are committed to improving outcomes for children, supporting families and strengthening the early years workforce.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development and delivery of Early Years Scotland’s Inclusion Services.
• Build upon and expand the successful Creating Caring Connections programme, increasing its reach and impact.
• Lead, coach and develop staff teams, providing professional supervision and supporting a culture of reflective practice.
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with local authorities, health services, education providers and third-sector organisations.
• Design and delivery specialist professional learning relating to inclusion, neurodiversity, attachment, trauma-informed practice and family support.
• Support early learning and childcare settings and partners to strengthen inclusive practice and improve outcomes for children with additional support needs.
• Manage projects and services, ensuring effective governance, safeguarding, risk management and quality assurance.
• Monitor and evaluate programme impact, using evidence and feedback to drive continuous improvement.
• Contribute to organisational planning, funding opportunities and service development.
• Represent Early Years Scotland locally and nationally, acting as a champion for inclusion and children’s rights.

What We Are Looking For

• Proven experience leading services, projects or programmes supporting children and families.
• Significant experience supporting children with additional support needs and their families.
• Experience managing, coaching and developing staff teams.
• Experience working effectively within multi-agency partnerships.
• Knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity and inclusive practice.
• Experience developing and delivering training, professional learning or workforce development programmes.
• Strong understanding of GIRFEC, The Promise, UNCRC, Additional Support for Learning legislation and early years policy.
• Experience monitoring and evaluating outcomes and using evidence to inform service improvement.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and influencing skills.

Qualifications

Applicants should hold a relevant degree level qualification in an area such as:

• Childhood Practice/Studies
• Education
• Social Work
• Psychology
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Community Education
• Nursing or Allied Health Profession

In addition, applicants should be able to demonstrate specialist knowledge or training in additional support needs through qualifications or professional development such as:

• Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Autism
• Autism Practice Qualification
• Additional Support Needs qualification
• Inclusive Education qualification
• Attachment and Trauma-Informed Practice training
• Neurodevelopmental Conditions training
• Positive Behaviour Support qualifications
• Other relevant specialist inclusion qualifications

What Early Years Scotland Will Offer

• Competitive salary and generous annual leave.
• Family-friendly policies that support work-life balance.
• 5% employer pension contribution after three months.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Ongoing professional learning and development opportunities.
• The opportunity to shape and grow a nationally recognised inclusion programme.
• A supportive, collaborative team culture where your contribution is valued.
• Hybrid working options following successful probation.