Senior Inclusion Specialist Teacher

Overview

We are seeking an experienced and inspirational Senior Inclusion Specialist Teacher to lead a team of Specialist Teachers and Inclusion Practitioners within the SEND and Inclusion Service.

This exciting 2-year fixed-term opportunity will play a key role in strengthening inclusive practice across Buckinghamshire, supporting schools, specialist settings, Post-16 providers and Alternative Provisions to improve outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The successful candidate will provide leadership, professional expertise and operational management, ensuring high-quality SEND support and statutory services are delivered through our Specialist Teacher and Inclusion Practitioner Team and the continued development of the Experts at Hand model, supporting inclusive practice across schools, Post-16 settings and Alternative Provisions throughout Buckinghamshire.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is one of the largest unitary authorities in England, serving a diverse and ambitious county with thriving communities, excellent schools and a shared commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.

Within Children's Services, we are committed to ensuring that every child and young person has the opportunity to achieve, belong and thrive. Inclusion sits at the heart of our vision, and we work in partnership with families, educational settings, health services and wider agencies to deliver high-quality support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

As part of our continued commitment to strengthening inclusive practice across Buckinghamshire, we are developing innovative approaches that build capacity within educational settings and improve outcomes for children and young people. This includes the growth of our Experts at Hand offer, providing specialist advice, training, coaching and practical support to schools, Post-16 settings and Alternative Provisions across the county.

Joining our SEND and Inclusion Service means becoming part of a skilled, collaborative and forward-thinking team committed to improving outcomes and promoting inclusion for children and young people with SEND. Our Specialist Teachers work directly with mainstream schools, specialist provisions, Post-16 providers and Alternative Provisions to support inclusive practice, strengthen SEND support and ensure children and young people can access high-quality education within their local communities.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a significant programme of inclusion development during a 2-year fixed-term contract, helping to shape and embed sustainable approaches that support educational settings and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND across Buckinghamshire.

We are looking for a motivated, ambitious and inspiring professional who shares our commitment to inclusion and excellence. In return, we offer a supportive working environment, flexible and mobile working arrangements, excellent professional development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing both at work and at home.

Together, we are building a more inclusive Buckinghamshire where every child and young person can thrive.

About the role

As a Senior Inclusion Specialist Teacher, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for a team of Specialist Teachers and Inclusion Practitioners, ensuring high-quality SEND support and statutory services are delivered effectively across Buckinghamshire. You will play a key role in developing inclusive practice, supporting educational settings to meet the needs of children and young people with SEND, and contributing to the continued development of the SEND and Inclusion Service.

You will:

· Lead, manage and support a team of Specialist Teachers and Inclusion Practitioners, ensuring high-quality service delivery and positive outcomes for children, young people and their families.

· Support the development of inclusive practice through a robust SEND Support approach, helping schools and settings to understand and respond effectively to the strengths and needs of children and young people with SEND.

· Develop and embed the Experts at Hand service offer, providing specialist advice, training and support to educational settings across Buckinghamshire.

· Work directly with mainstream schools, specialist provisions, Post-16 settings and Alternative Provisions to build capacity and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

· Provide expert advice, guidance and support on complex and high-risk SEND cases, supporting colleagues, families and partner agencies.

· Ensure statutory duties are fulfilled, including supporting Education, Health and Care Plan assessments and annual reviews in accordance with SEND legislation and the Children and Families Act 2014.

· Support the strategic development and quality assurance of the Inclusion Team and wider SEND and Inclusion Service.

· Allocate referrals and resources effectively, ensuring equitable caseloads and that services remain child-centred, needs-led and responsive to demand.

· Promote a strong culture of collaboration, co-production and partnership working across education, health and social care.

· Identify, manage and escalate risks appropriately, ensuring effective support for vulnerable children and young people.

· Manage team performance, provide induction, supervision and professional support, and contribute to workforce development through coaching, training and professional learning opportunities.

· Contribute to strategic planning, continuous improvement, service development and the delivery of high-quality outcomes across the SEND system.

· Maintain responsibility for a small caseload as required, ensuring decisions are made in a timely, professional and child-focused manner.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced SEND leader to influence strategic developments, shape service delivery and support the professional development of a highly skilled team.

Mobile:

A ‘mobile’ role gives you the flexibility to schedule your own diary, so you can meet with colleagues and clients in a variety of locations. You’ll access digital folders and resources on your laptop and be able to use the network wherever you are based. Working from home will be common, as well as meeting your team in the office where necessary.

About you

We are looking for an experienced and passionate SEND professional with a strong commitment to inclusion and improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND. You will be able to lead and inspire others, build effective partnerships, and provide expert advice and guidance across a range of educational settings.

You will have:

• Significant experience of working with children and young people with SEND and their families.
• Relevant professional experience, including a proven track record of successful classroom teaching.
• Experience of leading, developing and managing staff within SEND, specialist teaching or inclusion services.
• Evidence of further training and professional development in SEND and inclusion.
• An excellent understanding of a wide range of SEND needs and expert knowledge of effective interventions and inclusive practice.
• Experience of working collaboratively with schools, specialist provisions, Post-16 settings, Alternative Provisions and partner agencies.
• The ability to develop improvement plans and implement quality assurance processes.
• Excellent communication, coaching and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to manage conflict, de-escalate issues and resolve complex situations effectively.
• A strong understanding of the SEND Code of Practice, SEND legislation, statutory processes and SEND thresholds.
• Educated to degree level with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• At least three years' teaching experience, with evidence of continued professional development.
• Excellent IT skills and the ability to use digital systems effectively.
• Holds a full driving licence and has access to a vehicle, as the role requires travel across Buckinghamshire.
• Is able to satisfy the requirements of an Enhanced DBS check with Child and Adult Barred List checks.
• A relevant postgraduate qualification in SEND or recognised SEND specialism would be advantageous.

Please see the job summary attached for full details.

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Other information

This is a full-time, 2-year fixed-term position on a Buckinghamshire contract

This is a countywide, mobile role requiring regular travel to schools and educational settings across Buckinghamshire.

If you would like to find out more about this role, please contact: [email protected]

Internal Closing date: 09/09/2026

Interview date: 14/09/2026

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
• All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).

For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance published by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled ‘Exceptions Order’).

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Ensuring that children and young people in Buckinghamshire reach their potential is a primary focus within our Education service. It’s essential that we provide inclusive and life-long learning opportunities for all of our young people - so we look to raise standards, attainment and aspirations in a number of ways.

Our key priorities include: improving the quality and timeliness of Education, Health and Care Plans and the support families of children with SEND receive; reducing the number of exclusions both permanent and fixed term; and providing the children of Buckinghamshire with the highest quality education possible.

We aim to provide the right support, at the right time for families requiring non-statutory intervention, and provide sufficient, high quality early years and school places for children in Buckinghamshire. Despite Buckinghamshire having a higher percentage of good or outstanding Early Years providers and schools than national averages, we are not complacent.

We are keen to strengthen the services we deliver to provide the children of Buckinghamshire the highest quality education possible.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/