Website RIBAPORTSMOUTH CITY COUNCIL
Head of Inclusion
Location: Portsmouth City Council
Closing Date: Midday, Friday 16 May 2025
Interview Date: Wednesday 4 June 2025 (at the Civic Offices, Portsmouth)
Are you an experienced leader in Inclusion, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and Alternative Provision (AP)? Are you passionate about ensuring every child and young person receives the best support and outcomes? If so, this is the opportunity for you.
Portsmouth City Council’s Children, Families and Education service is committed to promoting inclusion and improving outcomes for children and young people across the city. We are seeking a dynamic and motivated Head of Inclusion to build on our strong foundation and drive forward our vision.
We are proud of our well-established joint working and governance frameworks, including the multi-agency SENDAP Board. Our effectiveness in SEND was recognised during the local area inspection in July 2019, which highlighted:
“Strong leadership…is leading to the successful implementation of the SEND reforms. Leaders and professionals share an ambitious vision… Outcomes for children and young people with SEND are improving.”
Further affirming our credentials, Portsmouth was selected by the DfE to lead the SEND and AP Change Programme in the South East, alongside Brighton & Hove, and West and East Sussex. This recognises our impact both locally and regionally.
About the Role
As Head of Inclusion, you will provide strategic leadership for Inclusion and SENDAP services across the city. The Inclusion Service supports statutory and traded functions that remove barriers to achievement—especially for children with SEND or from vulnerable groups. You will expand our work, enhance the service’s strong reputation, and ensure excellent outcomes for all.
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for an experienced senior leader who can demonstrate:
Proven success in leading education services, especially within Inclusion and SENDAP.
Senior leadership experience in an educational setting or as an education adviser.
Strong ability to lead multi-agency strategies and manage high-cost services and complex contracts.
Extensive knowledge of SEND, Inclusion, and relevant legislation across education and children’s services.
Experience in budgetary control and strategic planning in high-impact environments.
Your application must include a detailed personal statement showing how you meet each criterion in the ‘Who is the Person’ section of the job profile. Use clear examples of your experience and impact. Applications without a detailed statement may not be considered.
Why Portsmouth?
Portsmouth is a vibrant island city with the feel of an urban centre and the charm of a coastal town. It offers excellent amenities, a strong sense of community, a growing university, high-tech industries, and cultural richness. With easy transport links to London, Brighton, Europe, and beyond, Portsmouth is a fantastic place to live and work.
- What We Offer
Competitive salary - Flexible working arrangements
- Excellent pension scheme
- Childcare support and local business discounts
- Ongoing professional development and career growth opportunities
Our Commitment
Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and is proud to be an inclusive employer. We are a Disability Confident Employer and hold the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award.
Need Help Applying?
If you need assistance with your application, please contact the recruitment team:
📧 recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
📞 023 92 616 800
For an informal conversation about the role, please contact:
Mike Stoneman, Deputy Director, Education
📧 mike.stoneman@portsmouthcc.gov.uk | 📞 07821 610661
GDPR Notice
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