Somerset Council
Inclusion Lead - Preparing for Adulthood
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Salary: Grade 9, Ranging from £41,771 - £46,142 per annum.
Contract: Permanent.
Hours: 37 Hours a week.
Closing date: 13 August 2026
About the Role:
Inclusion Lead Opportunities – Virtual School Team
This vacancy is within our Preparation for Adulthood phase supporting children and young people from KS4 up to the age of 25.
We are seeking educational professionals with a strong knowledge of SEND and inclusive practice in Key Stage 4 and post-16 sectors.
Join us on our mission to make a real difference in Somerset!
As an Inclusion Lead, you’ll take the lead in transforming lives across Somerset. Step into a role where your leadership will help to shape brighter futures for children and young people (CYP) with acute and complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). As an Inclusion Lead, you won’t just support change - you’ll drive it. You’ll champion inclusive practices, lead strategic initiatives, and empower teams to deliver meaningful educational outcomes. A key focus will be delivering high quality advice to settings to support the identification of needs and removing barriers.
How You'll Make a Difference:
- Drive inclusive education across Somerset, helping children and young people achieve their full potential.
- Champion positive outcomes and remove barriers to learning, development, and future success.
- Provide expert advice and practical solutions to support children, families, schools, and partners.
- Build strong relationships and work collaboratively to create inclusive, supportive learning environments.
- Coordinate smooth educational transitions and support complex cases through a solution-focused approach.
- Lead a small team of Learning Mentors, promoting collaboration and best practice across the team.
- Monitor progress, maintain accurate records, and use data to ensure the right support is in place.
- Build trusted partnerships with families, ensuring they feel informed, valued, and empowered.
- Travel across Somerset to meet children, young people, and families and make a real impact where it matters most.
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What You'll Bring:
- Experience supporting children and young people with SEND, with a strong understanding of the SEND Code of Practice.
- The ability to identify and respond to a wide range of complex needs.
- Experience working in Key Stage 4 and/or post-16 settings.
- Knowledge of post-16 pathways, careers guidance, and supporting successful transitions beyond Year 11.
- An understanding of child and adolescent development, including the impact of disability and trauma.
- Strong partnership-working skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with families, professionals, and partner agencies.
- A degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience and expertise.
Why Join Us?
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.
Get help with your application
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Find out more about working at Somerset Council: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/working-at-somerset-council/
Further Information:
- 30 days’ annual leave (additional to bank holidays).
- Flexible working available, using a Hybrid model – working from home and your contracted work base.
- Interviews are due to take place 20th August 2026.
- Linked to locality but with the expectation that casework is needs based and can be across Somerset.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for VISA sponsorship.
For an informal discussion about the role, you can contact Poppy Tuck, Senior Expert Advisor – Preparation for Adulthood at poppy.tuck@somerset.gov.uk
We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.
You can find a copy of the job description here: RP048 Education - Inclusion Lead (Various Specialisms) - Job Description - 1198AB.pdf
If you currently work for Somerset Council, please apply via the internal SuccessFactors careers page.
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