Working with early years settings to ensure the best outcomes for all children in Dorset

Our Best Start in Life (BSIL) Advisors work in partnership with: 

  • early years settings
  • health visiting teams
  • Speech and Language Therapists 
  • schools

We support with all areas of practice. This includes: 

  • self-evaluation
  • leadership effectiveness
  • the quality of early education 
  • inclusion

Who we are

Our experienced BSIL Advisors work within our 6 locality areas across Dorset. They bring local knowledge of the communities they work in.

The Advisors are skilled and qualified in a range of relevant areas including: 

  • early years (they may have a teaching qualification)
  • delivering childcare provision
  • supporting children with additional needs 
  • the National Portage Association Principles

They have lots of skills and experience. They will be the named dedicated support for their caseload of early years settings. They will regularly be visiting and supporting the staff in settings. They will also visit registered childminders. This is to meet the needs of our youngest children.

Families can ask their early years setting about the support provided by their BSIL Advisor.

What we offer

We base our services in communities in six localities: 

  • West
  • North
  • East
  • Purbeck
  • Chesil (Weymouth and Portland) 
  • Dorchester

The locality teams include colleagues from across the following areas:

  • Early Help
  • Children’s Social Care
  • Educational Psychology
  • SEND and inclusion services under the leadership of Heads of Locality and Strategy

Tailored support provides independent advice and impartial challenges. This will meet the statutory requirements in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Specific support falls into the following areas: 

  • children’s learning, development, and assessment
  • safeguarding and welfare requirements of the EYFS
  • additional needs and disabilities in the early years
  • readiness for school

Our ambitions are set out in the Children, Young People, and Families Plan 2023 to 2033. There are 6 priorities: 

  • best start in life
  • young and thriving
  • good care provision
  • the best education for all
  • delivering locally
  • best place to live

Key benefits for families

For families who would like it, the Advisor will also support some children with additional needs and, or a disability. They will do this in their homes. This will help families develop more confidence and skills. It means families can support their child’s early education and development.

Key benefits for early years settings

  • access to experts who have current knowledge of key priorities and good practice
  • a named Advisor who can visit the setting regularly providing timely support
  • networking and professional development opportunities (often free of charge)
  • impartial support in relation to setting improvement

The multi-agency team to support children, families, and early years settings

The Advisors work together with other people known as partners or agencies.

A wide range of local agencies have extensive knowledge of those we work with. We work with a range of people who can help make a difference for our children and their families. 

This team includes: