Expert Advisor

Somerset County Council; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

LGPS pension

Hybrid working

Health and wellbeing support

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Somerset Council in Taunton is seeking an Expert Adviser for Inclusive Curriculum and Teaching (Experts at Hand) to provide strategic leadership across Somerset’s inclusion workforce. You will coordinate locality delivery while guiding countywide practice and workforce development.

The role blends strategic leadership with practical coaching across Early Years, schools and post‑16 providers, ensuring high‑quality inclusive practice and impact across the county.

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge in your specialist area, recognised across the education sector.
• Significant senior‑level experience in education, curriculum, inclusion, or a related field.
• Relevant professional qualification(s).
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with senior leaders while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Proven track record of driving improvement through advice, influence, and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the Experts at Hand offer within an allocated locality.
• Provide hands-on coaching, modelling and professional support within schools and settings.
• Oversee and professionally support the five Inclusive Curriculum and Teaching Leads.
• Provide countywide direction, quality assurance and workforce development.
• Ensure specialist support is prioritised and deployed according to need, evidence and local intelligence.
• Support consistent practice and shared learning across all six locality teams.
• Evaluate impact and provide assurance through Somerset's SEND governance arrangements.

Skills

Expert knowledge

Senior‑level experience

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Relationship building

Leadership

Education

Professional qualification

Job description

Salary: Soulbury 10-13

Contract: 3 Year fixed term contract in line with current DfE Experts at Hand funding.

Hours: 37 Hours per week.

Closing date: 6th October 2026

About the Role

Help shape a more inclusive education system for children and young people across Somerset.

As an Expert Adviser for Inclusive Curriculum and Teaching (Experts at Hand), you will provide strategic leadership for the Inclusive Curriculum and Teaching strand of Experts at Hand, Somerset's new locality-based specialist inclusion workforce.

You will be one of six locality leads, taking responsibility for coordinating support across an allocated locality while also providing countywide strategic oversight of the five Inclusive Curriculum and Teaching Leads and the wider flexible Experts at Hand inclusion workforce.

How You'll Make a Difference

This is both a strategic and hands-on role. You will work directly with Early Years settings, schools and post-16 providers, providing expert advice, coaching and modelling inclusive practice, while ensuring a consistent, high-quality approach across Somerset.

You will:

• Lead and coordinate the Experts at Hand offer within an allocated locality;
• Provide hands-on coaching, modelling and professional support within schools and settings;
• Oversee and professionally support the five Inclusive Curriculum and Teaching Leads;
• Provide countywide direction, quality assurance and workforce development;
• Ensure specialist support is prioritised and deployed according to need, evidence and local intelligence;
• Support consistent practice and shared learning across all six locality teams; and
• Evaluate impact and provide assurance through Somerset's SEND governance arrangements.

What You'll Bring

• Expert knowledge in your specialist area, recognised across the education sector.
• Significant senior‑level experience in education, curriculum, inclusion, or a related field.
• Relevant professional qualification(s).
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with senior leaders while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Proven track record of driving improvement through advice, influence, and leadership.

We are looking for an experienced and credible inclusive education leader with substantial expertise in SEND, curriculum and system improvement. You will be equally confident working strategically with senior leaders and alongside practitioners in schools and settings to model and embed effective inclusive practice.

Why Join Us?

At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.

• Generous annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most enhanced and secure pension schemes.

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.

• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.

• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.

Find out more about working at Somerset Council: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/working-at-somerset-council/

Further Information

• 33 day's annual leave (additional to bank holidays).
• Flexible working available, using a Hybrid model - working from home and your contracted work base.
• Interviews will take place from 16 October 2026.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for VISA sponsorship.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact, Keith Ford, Responsible Officer ITT and Training at [e-mail]

We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.

You can find a copy of the job description here: Expert Advisor (Multi-Disciplinary).pdf