Lead Inclusion and SEND Advisor - Secondary

Bath & North East Somerset Council; Keynsham; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Bath & North East Somerset Council is seeking an experienced SEND Advisor to support schools and professionals across the SEND system. The role focuses on identifying needs early, offering expert recommendations, and strengthening inclusive practice within education settings.

The successful candidate will be adept at working independently, communicating across education, health and social care, and delivering training to practitioners to promote effective support for children and young people

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification in a relevant education discipline or QTS.
• Experience working with children and young people who have SEND or who are vulnerable in an education setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert SEND advice and recommendations to education professionals to ensure timely support for children and young people.
• Offer first-line support for education settings and professionals across SEND systems.
• Develop inclusive practice through the graduated APDR approach and signposting to available services.

Skills

SEND knowledge

Communication

Presentation skills

Leadership

Training delivery

Independent working

Coaching others

IT skills

Education

BA (Hons) in education discipline / QTS

Tools

Databases

Word processing

Job description

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose to improve people’s lives.

About The Team

We are looking for an experienced professional with extensive knowledge and experience of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). If you share our passion for helping children and young people with SEND to achieve their full social and academic potential, this could be the perfect role for you. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Inclusion and SEND Advice Service, which provides a coordinated approach to delivering support for inclusion and SEND across Bath & North East Somerset.

About The Role

The advice service offers first-line support for B&NES’ education settings, and professionals working with children and young people, from early years to further education, as part of the SEND System of Support. This role will support settings to identify SEND at the earliest possible opportunity, whilst helping settings to strengthen their culture of inclusion. We are looking for someone who can provide expert advice and recommendations to professionals to ensure timely and effective support for children and young people. We use a consultative model of working, which includes individual child, cohort and whole-setting support. This role requires an individual who can strengthen inclusive practice within education settings for children and young people with SEND, including those at risk of placement breakdown.

This role would suit a SENDCo, Inclusion Lead or teacher with extensive SEND knowledge and experience (mainstream and/or specialist provision), seeking an opportunity to influence SEND provision and inclusive practice across a Local Authority.

About You

You will be adept in making decisions and working independently. You will have a sound understanding of SEND legislation, procedures and practice. You will need to communicate confidently with colleagues from education, health and social care backgrounds, in order to signpost to the services and resources that are available to them across the sector. You will support education practitioners to identify potentially unmet needs and develop effective inclusive practice through the consistent delivery of ordinarily available provision, implementation of the graduated approach (APDR), and advice relating to the B&NES’ Inclusion and SEND Commitment.

About

As well as being passionate about improving the life chances of all children and young people including those who may have SEND or require alternative provision, you will also have:

• A degree level qualification in a relevant BA (Hons) degree in a related education discipline/QTS
• Professional experience of working with children and young people who have SEND or who are vulnerable in an education setting
• Significant experience working in an secondary/post 16 education setting
• In-depth knowledge of SEND legislation and procedures
• Impactful leadership skills
• Confidence in delivering presentation and training
• Strong IT skills, including experience of using databases and word-processing software
• Excellent communication skills - both verbal and written
• Ability to provide support and coach others in the relevant specialist discipline.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work independently
• Desirable: SENDCo qualification/experience

If you are interested in this post and require more details or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Catherine Brown, Operational Lead, Inclusion and SEND Advice Service, [e-mail] or call [phone].

Interview date: 14/12/2026

No Agencies Please.

Please note: that this advert may close earlier than the stated closing date due to high demand. We advise all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

• Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.

About Bath And North East Somerset Council.

Working at Bath and North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

Why Bath and North East Somerset Council?

We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. Go to

At Bath and North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose to improve peoples lives. Find out more about our values at

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at

We are a Disability Confident Employer find out more at

The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.

Safeguarding Statement: The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.