Inclusion Lead – Education Access & Attendance (Hybrid)

Ackerman Pierce Company; Greater Lincolnshire; Hybrid; GBP 56,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

North East Lincolnshire Council is seeking an experienced Inclusion Lead Officer to steer strategic and operational inclusion services. You will lead a multidisciplinary team and shape policy on attendance, exclusions and access to education.

The role offers flexible hybrid working with two days per fortnight in Grimsby and a meaningful leadership remit across education welfare, fair access and alternative provision.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in educational inclusion, attendance, education welfare, alternative provision or local authority education services.
• Proven leadership or management experience within a multidisciplinary education or children's services environment.
• Strong knowledge of statutory responsibilities relating to school attendance, exclusions, fair access and elective home education.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Inclusion Leadership: Lead and develop the Council's Inclusion Services, promoting improved attendance, positive behaviour, fair access and inclusive educational opportunities.
• Service & Team Management: Provide professional and operational leadership to a multidisciplinary team of 13 Inclusion Officers, driving performance, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Education Welfare & Attendance: Oversee education welfare functions and attendance improvement strategies, supporting schools and families to address persistent absence and barriers to learning.
• Exclusions & Fair Access: Lead the Council's Fair Access Protocol and chair Behaviour and Attendance Panels, supporting effective decision-making and appropriate educational placements.
• Alternative Provision: Oversee commissioning, procurement and contract management arrangements, ensuring suitable, high-quality alternative education provision is available across North East Lincolnshire.
• Elective Home Education: Maintain oversight of statutory responsibilities relating to elective home education, ensuring appropriate policies, monitoring and support arrangements.
• Virtual School Support: Provide operational support to the Virtual School, contributing to coordinated educational inclusion and improved outcomes for vulnerable children.
• Policy & Statutory Compliance: Lead the development and implementation of service policies and strategies, including attendance, penalty notices, digital safety, anti-bullying and educational access.
• Partnership Development: Build productive relationships with schools, academy trusts, education providers, families and wider children's services to deliver joined-up solutions.
• Budget & Performance Management: Manage resources, contracts, budgets and operational performance, ensuring services achieve statutory, financial and quality objectives.

Skills

Educational inclusion

Attendance

Strategic leadership

Exclusions

Alternative provision

Job description

North East Lincolnshire Council is seeking an experienced Inclusion Lead Officer to steer strategic and operational inclusion services. You will lead a multidisciplinary team and shape policy on attendance, exclusions and access to education.

The role offers flexible hybrid working with two days per fortnight in Grimsby and a meaningful leadership remit across education welfare, fair access and alternative provision.