Inclusion Adviser

The Service

The Children, Families and Education Directorate is primarily focussed on delivering its statutory duties as well as a range of high-quality traded services. This role will sit within the Inclusion Service, which is comprised of the SEND Team, the Virtual School, the Educational Psychology Service and others. Portsmouth is a lead authority in the SEND&AP Change Programme working with partners across the region.

The Role

This role will sit within the Inclusion Service, which is led by the Head of Inclusion, reporting to the Assistant Director for Education. The Inclusion Service comprises of the following teams and roles:

The SEND Team

The Virtual School

Admissions, Exclusions and Reintegration

Post 16 and Campaigns Manager

Educational Psychology Service

Partnership and School Inclusion Manager

Under the direction of the Partnership and School Inclusion Manager the successful candidate will provide challenge and support to schools to deliver on the principles of inclusion:

• Belief that vulnerable pupils can attain well and be successful in all aspects of school life
• Whole school approach: everyone understanding inclusion and their role within it
• A focus on high quality teaching, curriculum equity and inclusive pedagogy
• Pastoral provision that matches need, focusing on maximising access to learning
• The use of research evidence, professional judgement and values to inform decision making and spending. Early intervention prioritised
• Accurate identification of need; the right support at the right time.

Please see the job profile for the full responsibilities and expectations of this role

The ideal candidate

You will need to have/be

• Qualified teacher status (Desirable) including post qualification experience
• Recent and successful SENCO and Inclusion leadership experience
• Level 6 qualification (e.g. bachelor's degree) together with post graduate (level 7) qualifications or equivalent relevant experience
• Level 7 (Master's equivalent) National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (desirable)
• Expert knowledge and experience leading to success in raising standards and securing effective inclusive practice
• Practical experience of supporting practitioners to develop high-quality inclusive practice, with appropriate levels of challenge and support
• Experience of successful delivery of support, advice and guidance to school staff, including the delivery of professional development
• Up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance in relation to working with inclusion and SEND
• Knowledge and experience of developing partnerships and working with other agencies
• Successful experience of managing, motivating and challenging other skilled professionals

We offer hybrid working with the expectation to attend the office a minimum of 2 days a week.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Sarah Christopher, PEP and School Inclusion Manager, sarah.christopher@portsmouthcc.gov.uk, 023 92 688 940

Interview date: 18th or 21st July 2025

If applying as a secondment you will need permission from your current line manager releasing you for this secondment. Please state you have this on your application form.

Application process

We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered.

As part of your application we ask that you complete a personal statement, this statement is crucial and is where you must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience.

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

About Portsmouth City Council

What we can offer you:

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.

Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our careers portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

DBS Disclosure at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.

Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616800