Staff changes in the Early Years Funding Team
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Karen Baker, one of our Early Years Support Assistants, will be retiring at the end of December to spend more time with her family, including her grandson.

Karen has worked for Devon County Council for 44 years, including 24 years in the Early Years & Childcare Service. She has been part of the early years entitlement funding team for the last 8 years and many of you will have spoken to Karen on the funding helpdesk, been in communication with her via email or been a part of online training sessions that she has helped facilitate.

Karen says:

> I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working within the Early Years and Childcare Team, first as a Locality Administrator for North Devon and later as part of the Funding Team.
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> I will take away many happy memories and lasting friendships. I shall miss the Funding Team immensely, as well as the opportunity to speak with so many of you through the Helpdesk and during our training sessions.
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> This has not been an easy decision to make, but I feel the time is right. I am now ready to begin the next chapter of my life and am excited to see what it may bring.
>
> I would like to thank the funding team for all their support, friendship, and teamwork over the years. It has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated colleagues, and I wish them every success for the future.

We would like to express our immense thanks to Karen for her long service, commitment, and the significant contribution that she has made to the organisation over the past 44 years. She has been key in setting up systems to allocate funding promptly to children in foster care so that they have the best start possible. The work priorities can be everchanging and the team work extremely hard to ensure data changes are completed and payment deadlines met and Karen has always been flexible with her working hours, which has been greatly appreciated. She will be missed, but we would like to wish her a very happy retirement and all the best for the future.

Exciting opportunity to join our team!
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Due to Karen’s departure we will have a vacancy for a part time, Early Years Support Assistant in the Early Years Funding Team. For more information about the role please visit the Devon Jobs website: [Early Years Support Assistant \| Apply Now](https://www.devonjobs.gov.uk/job/Early%20Years%20Support%20Assistant-11/)

The deadline for applications is Sunday 22nd November 2026.