School Improvement Manager (Specialist Provision and Inclusion)

Hampshire County Council; Winchester; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market Supplement

Home Working Allowance

Job summary

Hampshire County Council is seeking a School Improvement Manager (Specialist Provision and Inclusion) to lead countywide improvement for SEND and vulnerable children. You will shape strategy, drive specialist and alternative provision, and collaborate with schools and Children's Services to secure sustainable improvements.

With substantial senior leadership experience and QTS, you will influence leaders, foster inclusion, and oversee professional development across settings, supported by a

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and degree-level qualification, ideally with a postgraduate leadership/management qualification.
• Significant senior leadership experience in a school setting with proven impact in specialist education.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to a team of school improvement advisers and drive strategic improvement across specialist and alternative provision.
• Champion inclusion and strategies supporting vulnerable children, including those with SEND.
• Influence school leaders to strengthen inclusive practice and improve education outcomes.
• Build partnerships across education and Children's Services to improve outcomes.
• Evaluate education quality and design development programmes to strengthen provision.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Inclusion

SEND

Safeguarding

Education

Degree-level qualification

Postgraduate leadership/management qualification

Job description

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School Improvement Manager (Specialist Provision and Inclusion)

Job Reference: HCC624790

Salary Range: £74,851 - £78,872 per annum (Soulbury 22-25 plus up to 3 SPA points), plus Market Supplement of £5,500 per annum and a Home Working Allowance of £312 per annum

Work Location: Home based (with support from our office based in Elizabeth II Court, Winchester)

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 27 September 2026

Interview Date: 13 October 2026

The Role:

As the School Improvement Manager (Specialist Provision and Inclusion), you will play a strategic leadership role in improving outcomes for children and young people across Hampshire. Working across the 0-25 age range, you will champion inclusion, high-quality provision and ambitious outcomes for all learners, particularly children and young people with SEND, those experiencing disadvantage and those facing other forms of vulnerability.

Leading a team of school improvement advisers, you will work alongside headteachers, governors, education leaders and colleagues across Children's Services to drive sustainable improvement across specialist provision, alternative provision and commissioned placements. With countywide influence, you will shape education strategy, lead complex improvement programmes and contribute to system-wide approaches that improve inclusion and outcomes for Hampshire's most vulnerable children and young people.

What you’ll do:

• Provide leadership and direction to a team of school improvement advisers, driving strategic improvement across specialist and alternative provision.
• Champion inclusion and drive strategies that support vulnerable children and young people, particularly those with SEND.
• Support, challenge and influence school leaders to strengthen inclusive practice, improve the quality of education and secure sustainable improvements in outcomes for children and young people.
• Build effective partnerships across education, Children's Services and external organisations to improve outcomes.
• Evaluate the quality of education, personal development and wellbeing across educational settings, designing and overseeing professional development programmes that strengthen capacity and improve the quality of provision.
• Use performance data and professional insight to shape countywide improvement priorities, inform strategic decision-making and drive sustainable change.
• Lead the special needs advisor section of the Experts at Hand offer for the county.

What we’re looking for:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a degree-level qualification, ideally supported by a postgraduate leadership, management or professional qualification.
• Significant senior leadership experience in a school setting, ideally as a headteacher or equivalent, and proven impact within specialist education settings.
• A proven track record of leading school improvement, resulting in improved outcomes for children and young people, particularly those with SEND or experiencing vulnerability.
• Strong pedagogical knowledge, including SEND, safeguarding and effective strategies for supporting children and young people experiencing vulnerability.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and lead change.
• A resilient and values-led leader who demonstrates professional integrity, champions inclusion and inspires confidence in others.

• Shape education strategy and make a lasting difference to the lives of some of our most vulnerable children and young people.
• Join a highly respected team committed to inclusion, collaboration and educational excellence.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more informationhere .

Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK.

Other job titles you may be searching for may include: School Improvement Lead, Education Improvement Manager, Education Improvement Lead, Senior Education Manager, School Effectiveness Manager, Inclusion Lead, SEND Strategic Lead, SEND Improvement Lead, Specialist Education Lead, Alternative Provision Lead.

Travel Requirements:

You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire or other local authority, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.

Additional Information:

School Improvement Manager (Specialist Provision and Inclusion) Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements:

The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.