Inclusion Adviser

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Inclusion Adviser to play a key role in shaping inclusive education across the city.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence practice across early years settings, schools and colleges, supporting the successful delivery of SEND reforms and improving outcomes for vulnerable learners.

About the role

As an Inclusion Adviser, you will work within our Transformation Service and Inclusion Hub, providing both support and challenge to education settings. You’ll help embed a culture where every child can thrive, regardless of need.

You will:

• Champion high-quality inclusive practice across all phases of education
• Lead Inclusion Reviews and support schools to improve SEND provision
• Drive Portsmouth’s Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP) vision
• Deliver training and professional development to education professionals
• Analyse data to identify strengths, gaps and priorities
• Build strong partnerships across services, schools and external organisations
• Provide targeted support to schools requiring additional input
• Contribute to strategic SEND developments and improvement programmes

The Ideal candidate

We are seeking a skilled education leader or SEND specialist who is passionate about inclusion and has a proven track record of improving outcomes.

You will have:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Significant experience as a SENCO or inclusion leader
• Degree-level qualification (Level 6) and postgraduate study or equivalent experience
• Strong knowledge of SEND legislation and inclusive practice
• Experience supporting and challenging schools to improve outcomes
• Excellent communication, leadership and relationship-building skills
• Ability to analyse data and drive evidence-based decision-making
• A National Award for SEN Coordination (Level 7) is desirable.

Please ensure that you read the full job profile attached for the details and expectations of this role, paying particular attention the section 'Who is the person' as you will need to refer to this when completing your Personal statement.

Working Arrangements: You will be required to work at least 2 days a week in the office or in education settings

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion: If you have any questions, or would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Sarah Christopher - sarah.christopher@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Interview Details:Interviews will be held on Friday 17th July 2026

About Portsmouth City Council

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.

We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours.

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

We are committed to offering an interview to all those candidates that qualify under our corporate commitments and meet the minimum criteria, however, for roles that receive a large number of applications, we will select the candidates that best meet the minimum criteria.

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

Please note : We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position.

Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.

Safeguarding

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

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information.