Somerset Council
Senior Inclusion Lead
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Salary: Grade 8, starting from £49,282 per annum
Contract: 2-year fixed-term contract
Hours: 37 Hours a week
Closing date: 25 October 2026
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.
About the Role
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.
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What You'll Bring
- 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.
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.
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- 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.
Find out more about working at Somerset Council: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/working-at-somerset-council/
Further Information
- 33 day’s annual leave (additional to bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
- This role offers hybrid working, allowing you to work either from home or from our office at County Hall, Taunton. There is an expectation that you will be in the office a minimum of two days a week.
- Interviews planned for week commencing 2nd and/or 9th November 2026.
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 chat about the role, please contact Kayleigh Storey – Head of Service, kayleigh.storey@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: RP074 - Senior Inclusion Lead (Various Specialisms).pdf
Ref: 1498/AB
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