Inclusion Lead - Early Years

Somerset Council; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

LGPS pension

Hybrid working

Job summary

Somerset County Council is seeking an Early Years Inclusion Lead for the Statutory Virtual School Team in Somerset. The role focuses on transforming outcomes for Children Looked After (CLA) aged 3–18, with a strong emphasis on SEND, inclusion and trauma-informed practice.

You will drive statutory duties, provide expert advice to settings, and lead initiatives to secure high-quality educational outcomes. This is a permanent, 37-hour-per-week role with hybrid working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children and young people with SEND.
• Strong understanding of the SEND Code of Practice.
• Experience working in Early Years settings.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead in transforming lives across Somerset, driving inclusive practice.
• Support statutory duties for Children Looked After (CLA) and PEP meetings.
• Provide expert advice to settings, schools, families and partners.
• Line manage Learning Mentors and promote collaboration.
• Monitor progress, maintain records and use data to inform support.
• Travel across Somerset to meet children, families and carers.

Skills

SEND knowledge

Early Years experience

Partnership working

Data and monitoring

Education

Degree-level qualification

Job description

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Salary:Grade 9, Ranging from £43,149 - £47,665 per annum.

Contract:Permanent

Hours:37 Hours a week.

About the Role

Early Years Inclusion Lead – Statutory Virtual School Team

This vacancy is within our Statutory Virtual School which supports Children Looked After from the ages of 3 to 18.

We are seeking experienced educational professionals with a strong knowledge of Early Years, education, SEND and inclusive practice, and the unique experiences of Children in Care.

Join us on our mission to make a real difference to the lives of children in Somerset!

As an Inclusion Lead, you’ll take the lead in transforming lives across Somerset. Step into a role where your leadership will help to shape brighter futures for Children Looked After (CLA) including those who have experienced trauma and those with acute and complex needs. As an Inclusion Lead, you won’t just support change - you’ll drive it. You’ll champion inclusive practices, lead strategic initiatives, and empower teams to deliver meaningful educational outcomes. A key focus will be ensuring our Statutory Duties for CLA are fulfilled, delivering high-quality advice to settings to support our children and young people to be successful.

How You'll Make a Difference

• Drive inclusive education across Somerset, helping children and young people achieve their full potential.
• Champion positive outcomes and remove barriers to learning, development, and future success.
• Participate in and oversee the statutory duties of the Statutory Virtual School including Personal Education Plan (PEP) meetings.
• Provide expert advice and practical solutions to support children, families, carers, settings, schools, and partners.
• Build strong relationships and work collaboratively to create inclusive, supportive learning environments.
• Coordinate smooth educational transitions and support complex cases through a solution-focused approach.
• Be involved in the line management of Learning Mentors, promoting collaboration and best practice across the team.
• Monitor progress, maintain accurate records, and use data to ensure the right support is in place.
• Build trusted partnerships with settings/schools, carers and professional partners, ensuring they feel informed, valued, and empowered.
• Travel across Somerset to meet children, young people, and families and make a real impact where it matters most.

What You'll Bring

• Experience supporting children and young people with SEND, with a strong understanding of the SEND Code of Practice.
• The ability to identify and respond to a wide range of complex needs.
• Experience working in Early Years settings/environments.
• Knowledge of education pathways including the primary education phase
• An understanding of CLA, their experiences, child development, including the impact of trauma.
• Strong partnership-working skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with families, professionals, and partner agencies.
• A degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience and expertise.

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 purchaseadditional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's mostenhancedand secure pension schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangementstosupportwork-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.
• 30 day’s annual leave (additionalto bank holidays).
• Flexible working available, using a Hybrid model – working from home and your contracted work base.
• The opportunity to use a working model that is needs based across Somerset.
• Interviews are scheduled for w/c 15th December.

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, you can contact Elizabeth Fox – Service Manager Statutory Virtual School 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.