Inclusion Officer

About the job

Salary: £49,897 - £54,398 a year

Hours per week: 37

Contract type: Permanent

The Inclusion Officer champions the needs of vulnerable children and young people of compulsory school age who are at risk of disengagement from education due to complex, severe, social, emotional, mental health (SEMH), behavioural, or learning needs. Working collaboratively with schools, families, partner agencies, and the Local Authority, the role promotes inclusive practices that enable all pupils to access appropriate education, achieve positive outcomes, and remain engaged in learning.

Responsibilities

The role involves providing expert advice, support, challenge, and quality assurance to schools to ensure statutory responsibilities are met and effective provision is in place for pupils at risk of exclusion. It includes supporting the development and monitoring of individual pupil plans, Early Help Assessments, Pastoral Support Plans, managed moves, and transition arrangements, while assisting schools in implementing evidence based strategies to improve attendance, behaviour, wellbeing, and educational attainment.

A key aspect of the role is strengthening schools' capacity to meet diverse needs through training, workforce development, behaviour audits, and the promotion of therapeutic and inclusive approaches aligned with local SEMH and Inclusion Strategies. The Inclusion Officer also works closely with alternative provision providers, social care, early help services, and other professionals to coordinate support, identify barriers to learning, and secure appropriate interventions.

Additional duties include providing guidance on fixed term and permanent exclusions, representing the Local Authority at disciplinary hearings and review panels, and contributing to strategic initiatives aimed at reducing exclusions and improving outcomes for vulnerable learners. Through direct work with children, young people, and families, the Inclusion Officer supports the development of tailored solutions that promote successful participation, wellbeing, and long term educational success.

Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.

Qualifications

The successful candidate is a qualified and experienced education professional with a strong commitment to inclusion and improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people. They have substantial experience working with pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including those facing significant social, emotional, behavioural, and family challenges. They are skilled at engaging children, young people, and families who may be reluctant to access support, and are able to build positive relationships that enable meaningful change.

They have a proven track record of developing and delivering high quality training, coaching, and support to educational professionals, helping to build confidence, knowledge, and inclusive practice across schools. Their experience of working in partnership with a wide range of agencies, including education, social care, health, and early help services, enables them to safeguard children effectively, coordinate support, and contribute to solutions for complex issues.

They possess excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and influencing skills, alongside the ability to produce clear, concise, and accurate written reports, assessments, and recommendations. They are highly organised, able to manage competing priorities, and confident in making timely decisions, particularly in relation to safeguarding concerns.

They have experience contributing to the development and implementation of policies, strategies, and initiatives that improve educational outcomes for vulnerable, underachieving, and hard to reach groups. Their knowledge of equality legislation and inclusive practice ensures that fairness, diversity, and accessibility are embedded within all aspects of service delivery.

They bring a comprehensive understanding of statutory guidance relating to exclusions, alternative provision, attendance, and children unable to attend school for medical reasons, alongside a sound understanding of the SEND Code of Practice. Experience of working with Alternative Education Providers and supporting multi agency approaches to inclusion is highly relevant.

As a collaborative and reflective practitioner, they work effectively both independently and as part of a team. They are proficient in the use of IT systems, databases, spreadsheets, and reporting tools, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development. They hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and are able to travel across the borough as required to support schools, families, and partner agencies.

Benefits

• From 25 to 32 days' annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
• Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
• Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
• Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 19.2% (at April 2026) and 3x salary death in service grant
• Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
• Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
• Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part time hours and alternative working patterns
• Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
• Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
• Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel