Inclusion Lead

This is an exciting opportunity to join Somerset's Statutory SEND Service at a time of investment, transformation and growth. Additional funding is supporting a stronger locality-based model, improved statutory performance and a more responsive service for children and young people with SEND and their families. We are seeking approachable and inspiring leaders who can balance day-to-day operational delivery with service improvement.

You will be visible within your locality, work collaboratively across Somerset and maintain a clear focus on improving experiences and outcomes for children, young people and families.

What will I be doing? As a Senior Inclusion Lead, you will lead a locality-based Statutory SEND team and build strong, trusted relationships with families, schools, settings and partner agencies across the local area. You will develop a clear understanding of local strengths, needs and pressures, helping the service respond effectively and ensuring children and young people receive timely, coordinated support.

You will provide visible operational leadership, supervision and oversight, using performance information and quality assurance to improve timeliness, consistency, statutory compliance and family experience. Alongside locality leadership, you will hold a defined service-wide lead area. This may include assessment, annual reviews, quality assurance, workforce training and development, recruitment and induction, or another improvement priority. You will work with other Senior Inclusion Leads to embed consistent practice across Somerset.

How You'll Make a Difference

• Lead and develop a locality-based team, creating a supportive culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Build strong local relationships with children, young people, families, schools, settings and partner agencies.
• Use local knowledge, data and feedback to identify pressures, remove barriers and target improvement activity.
• Improve the timeliness, quality, consistency and legal compliance of statutory SEND processes.
• Provide oversight and solution-focused support for complex work and key meetings.
• Champion co-production so families are informed, listened to and meaningfully involved.
• Lead a defined service-wide portfolio, developing clear standards, guidance and learning across the service.
• Contribute to the wider leadership of Statutory SEND and the SEND recovery and improvement programme.
  Experience of leading and developing teams, managing performance and supporting staff through change.
• A strong understanding of statutory SEND responsibilities, including EHC needs assessments, EHC plans and annual reviews.
• The ability to build effective relationships and work collaboratively across education, health and social care.
• A clear commitment to children, young people and families, co-production and inclusive practice.
• The ability to use data, quality assurance and professional insight to improve services.
• A degree or equivalent professional qualification; relevant SEND, education, leadership or management qualifications are welcomed.
  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.