Head of Inclusion

Do you have experience in leading and managing Inclusion and SENDAP Services?

Are you passionate about making sure all children and young people receive the best possible services and outcomes? If so, this could be the job for you.

Promoting inclusion and improving the outcomes for Portsmouth children and young people has been at the forefront of Portsmouth City Council's Children, Families and Education service over the last few years. Now, we’re looking for a Head of Inclusion to maintain the momentum and expand on the good work done so far.

Here at Portsmouth City Council, we pride ourselves on our effective governance and joint working arrangements in terms of our work in special educational needs and disabilities, overseen by the multi-agency SENDAP Board.

The effectiveness of the SEND system in Portsmouth was confirmed by the SEND local area inspection in July 2019, which concluded that:

'Strong leadership in the local area is leading to the successful implementation of the SEND reforms. Leaders’ evaluation of the local area’s effectiveness is honest 2 and accurate. Leaders and professionals across education, health and care (EHC) share the same ambitious vision for children and young people with SEND. Leaders’ well-constructed plans for further improvement successfully encourage a collaborative approach. One leader summed this up by saying: ‘In Portsmouth, we work together to make things happen.’ As a result, the outcomes for children and young people with SEND are improving.'

Given the importance of this role, we are looking to appoint an enthusiastic, highly motivated and experienced leader to provide strategic leadership for Inclusion and SEND in the city and to develop the Inclusion Service even further, building on the service's already well established and positive reputation.

The Inclusion Service covers a broad portfolio of work that extends well beyond SEND and AP and includes a range of statutory and traded services that aim to remove the barriers to achievement for all Portsmouth children and young people, in particular those with special educational needs or those from vulnerable groups.

To be considered for this position your application will clearly evidence the following:

• Experience of successful service leadership and management in education, ideally covering Inclusion and SEND
• Experience as a senior leader in an education setting or as an education adviser including responsibilities for Inclusion and SEND.
• The ability to lead strategic and multi-agency work programmes, successful budgetary management skills and control high cost services, procuring and managing large and complex contracts.
• Possess extensive knowledge and understanding of SEND and Inclusion, as well as a thorough knowledge and understanding of legislation relating to SEND, Inclusion and Children's Services.

Why work in Portsmouth?

Portsmouth is a great waterfront city and a vibrant place to live and work.  It is an island city with an “inner city” feel, a seaside location packed with attractions and events, and the advantage of having beautiful countryside on its doorstep.  With a fast-growing university, high-tech industries, and a vibrant cultural scene, Portsmouth is a modern city that looks to the future whilst proud of its unique heritage as the home of the Royal Navy and historic dockyard.  With fast road and rail links to London, Brighton and major airports, and ferry links to Europe, it is the perfect place to live and work. Portsmouth has a strong history of partnership working and has successfully integrated a number of local services. We are committed to supporting our residents to live long, healthy, independent lives in the community.

Benefits

As well as highly rewarding opportunity and competitive pay you’ll receive all the benefits of working within a local authority organisation, which ranges from flexible working hours to a fantastic pension allowing you the opportunity to pay in more for that greater return. We wish to support all our staff in terms of their professional development and to drive forward their careers and for those with families we have childcare benefits as well as discounts with local businesses which can be accessed.

Our Commitment

Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the great city in which we live.

For more information, please see the role profile below.

Role Profile

Indicative Timetable

Closing date for applications: Midnight Friday 16 May 2025
Final interview panel: Wednesday 4 June 2025

Please let us know if there are any interview dates within the indicative timetable on which you are likely to be unavailable.

To arrange an informal conversation about this role, please contact:

Zara Bruton
Email: zbruton@faerfield.co.uk
Phone: 0121 312 3755

Ben Cox
Email: bcox@faerfield.co.uk
Phone: 0121 312 3755

To apply:

To apply for this job please click on the Apply button below and fill out the requested information. When prompted, please submit your CV and a Supporting Statement (no more than four sides of A4 each).

With your CV, please also provide the names and contact details of two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be contacted if you reach the final stages, and we will not contact referees without your permission.

Your supporting statement should express why you are interested in this role and what experience you can bring to the organisation. The statement should tackle the specific requirements of the role; outlining examples and outcomes showing how you meet those requirements.