Job Introduction
Bradford is on an ambitious journey to transform outcomes for babies, children, young people and families. As part of this transformation, the district is delivering the Best Start in Life (BSIL) programme and developing Best Start Family Hubs, ensuring every family can access the right support, at the right time, in the right place.
To support this mission, we are seeking an exceptional Practice Lead – Best Start in Life to strengthen practice across Family Hubs and Early Help, drive system-wide improvements, and help embed high‑quality, evidence-informed approaches for our youngest children and their families.
About the Role
As Practice Lead, you will champion the Best Start in Life programme across the district, ensuring that Family Hubs deliver inclusive, accessible and impactful services that meet the needs of babies, young children, and families.
You will work closely with mangers, senior leaders, commissioned partners and frontline teams to shape consistent, high-quality practice and ensure that implementation of the Best Start in Life strategy is aligned, effective, and measurable.
You will:
- Lead the initiation and delivery of targeted projects and practice improvements linked to Best Start Family Hubs and Best Start in Life programme priorities.
- Use evidence, theory, and performance data to drive high‑quality practice and support continuous improvement.
- Play an active role in governance, co-production, workforce development, and the wider transformation of early years support across the district.
- Ensure that practice across Family Hubs reaches those most in need, including vulnerable and marginalised families, and reflects Bradford’s commitment to inclusion and diversity.
- Support and challenge operational teams to ensure services meet statutory requirements, local priorities, and the ambitions of the BSIL programme.
- Develop strong partnerships across the local authority, health, voluntary and community sector, and other Family Hubs programme stakeholders.
This is a unique opportunity to shape a major area of Bradford’s children’s services transformation and influence how families experience the crucial first 1,001 days of life.
About You
You will need:
- A relevant Level 5 qualification (or equivalent) in health, social care, early years, education or a related field and minimum 3 years’ experience working with babies, young children, and/or families.
- Experience delivering workforce development, practice improvement or performance management activities.
- Strong analytical, problem‑solving and project management skills.
- An ability to develop partnerships, work collaboratively and influence change across organisations.
- Experience in supporting staff development, supervision and quality assurance.
- Deep commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak fluently with members of the public (Advanced Fluency in English requirement).
You’ll also be joining an organisation that truly values its people, offering a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance, including:
- Generous annual leave - 31 days rising to 34 with service, plus bank holidays
- Excellent Local Government pension
- Family-friendly policies and enhanced parental leave
- Health & wellbeing support, including Occupational Health and counselling
- Professional development and career progression opportunities
- we are a National Living Wage employer
For full details of our benefits, please see the attached ‘Our Benefits’ brochure.
This is an exciting time to join Bradford as we deliver a nationally significant transformation of early-years support through our Best Start in Life programme and Best Start Family Hubs Networks.
You will join a motivated and collaborative team committed to improving outcomes for children and families across the district.
For an informal discussion - Please contact Alison Tomes, Principal Head of Service Early Help at alison.tomes@bradfordcft.org.uk
Closing Date: 05th April 2026
Shortlisting: 07th April 2026
Interviews: w/c 13th April 2026
Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.
