Area Inclusion Lead - SEND Team Manager

Are you passionate about driving inclusive practice and improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND? We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Area Inclusion Lead (Team Manager) to join our Inclusion and SEND service. This is a pivotal leadership role, offering the opportunity to shape service delivery, support staff development, and influence strategic decision-making across Medway.

About the Role

As Area Inclusion Lead, you will lead a SEND team of professionals delivering high-quality support to children, young people and families. You will oversee operational activities related to EHC plans, annual reviews, phase transfers and school placements, manage performance, and ensure compliance with statutory responsibilities. You’ll work closely with multi-agency partners, educators, and families to promote inclusion, resilience and wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of case-holding staff, ensuring high standards of professional practice and accountability.
• Oversee SEND statutory processes, including EHCPs and tribunal case preparation.
• Support quality assurance, performance monitoring and service improvement.
• Coordinate multi-agency meetings and ensure effective communication with stakeholders.
• Promote safeguarding, equality, and diversity across all areas of service delivery.
• Use data and ICT systems (e.g. PowerBI, Synergy, Mosaic) to monitor outcomes and inform strategic planning.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Professional Development

• Level 3 or above qualification in Inclusion, SEND or a related field.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in relevant areas.

Knowledge & Expertise

• Expert understanding of SEND legislation, statutory processes and frameworks (e.g. SEND CoP, Children and Families Act 2014, KCSIE).
• Strong knowledge of SENDIST tribunal processes and case statement preparation.
• Familiarity with inspection frameworks (e.g. Ofsted, CQC, ILACS) and safeguarding protocols.
• Understanding of data protection, performance management and HR procedures.

This is a hybrid role and candidates will be required to work from the office 3 times per week.

Experience

• Extensive experience in SEND sector or Education (previous experience in managing LA SEND team preferrable).
• Proven track record of line management, supervision and HR casework.
• Experience in multi-agency coordination and presenting specialist advice.
• Caseload management from assessment to review stages.
• Budget monitoring and experience within a local authority setting.

Skills

• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence at a strategic level.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusive practice.
• Ability to analyse complex information and present it clearly to varied audiences.
• Proficiency in ICT systems for data capture and performance monitoring.
• Ability to lead operational delivery and contribute to strategic planning.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a forward-thinking team committed to inclusion and excellence.
• Enjoy flexible hybrid working arrangements.
• Access to ongoing professional development and career progression.
• Make a real difference in the lives of children, young people and families.

In return we will offer you:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Generous local government pension scheme package
• Access to wider training and development qualifications
• Flexible working scheme
• Travel plan discounts
• Access to CAREFIRST advice & counselling service
• Employee discount scheme for national and local retailers

Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. This means that the salary you will be offered will be at level A unless, based on an assessment against the CPF criteria, you demonstrate that you are meeting the criteria of level B or C. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.

When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.

The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels:

Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.

Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A.

Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.

You can demonstrate knowledge, experience and skills to allow you to perform within this role. You will identify, through application, how you meet the elements detailed within the person specification, at either Level A, B or C. You will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.

Our organisation:

Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including the Hoo Peninsula.

Situated in Kent in the South-East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London.

We provide all local Government services for a quarter of a million people, looking after education, environment, social care, housing, planning, business and much more - everything from frontline services such as rubbish collection and events like the Dickens Festival to work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure services in Medway run smoothly and cost effectively.

Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of this journey working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of our residents and the communities they live in.

Important Information-

Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile

Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement

Medway Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age

For further information please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online

Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.

If you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted.

All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email, if you require documentation/correspondence in different format such as braille or large print, please contact the Resourcing Team on 01634 332878.