Inclusion Partner will drive inclusive practices and improve outcomes for children and young people by collaborating with schools, settings, families, and partner agencies. The role focuses on enabling inclusive communities, influencing positive change in educational practices, and fostering long-term success for children and young people within a locality. We are recruiting to all 3 of our localities, which includes North + Mid, Exeter + East and South + West.
Inclusion partners will:
1. Ensure every child and young person can access learning and participate fully in educational settings, breaking down barriers related to SEND, attendance, and exclusion.
2. Work collaboratively with stakeholders to deliver integrated, tailored support that empowers schools and families to meet the needs of children and young people.
3. Assist in implementing and upholding statutory responsibilities related to SEND, inclusion, and attendance, ensuring compliance and positive impact.
Candidates will have:
4. Demonstrated success in influencing change within educational settings to promote inclusion and achieve positive outcomes for children and young people.
5. Proven ability to build strong working relationships and effectively influence senior leaders, driving meaningful and sustainable improvements.
6. Expertise in at least one of the following areas:
o Inclusion
o SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
o Attendance
o Elective Home Education
o Health and wellbeing
The council seeks candidates with complementary skills and experiences to ensure that schools and settings within the locality have access to a broad spectrum of specialist knowledge and expertise.
Main duties and responsibilities:
7. Accountable as the link Inclusion Partner for specific schools, settings, colleges within a locality area to review, assess and improve practice around SEND and Inclusion with the intention to improve outcomes for all CYP, including those with SEND and from vulnerable groups.
8. Assist the council in fulfilling its legal obligations, particularly statutory duties related to SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), attendance, and exclusions.
9. Influence and collaborate with senior leaders within educational settings to adopt and embed inclusive practices and remove barriers to learning, attendance, and participation including the implementation of Devon’s ordinarily available inclusive provision.
10. Work strategically with schools, settings and colleges, influencing leaders to evaluate the existing offer and build capacity through coaching, training and development.
11. Responsible for supporting the delivery of school/setting led inclusive practice, including peer to peer development, within the locality including dissemination of up-to-date specialist knowledge in an area/s of Inclusion or SEND. Evaluating the impact of initiatives to learn from both success and understand setbacks.
12. Responsible for providing high quality professional education advice based on area/s of expertise. There will be a complimentary skill set across the locality team so that schools can access a broad spectrum of specialist knowledge and expertise.
13. Support schools to ensure a continuum of provision for all children and young people so that barriers to learning, inclusion and attendance can be removed and there is a robust graduated approach to support
14. Provide expert consultation and advice around individual children whilst balancing this with a focus on whole school improvement.
15. Responsible for identifying and deploying targeted support within schools, settings, colleges and with families, to improve the inclusion, successful transition and/or access to learning. Ensure maximum impact of interventions and the efficient and impactful use of resources through effective monitoring and evaluation.
16. Working in collaboration with internal and external partners to manage complex situations to maintain sustainability of placements, resolve breakdowns and prevent exclusions, including responding to and resolving complaints
Closing Date: Tuesday 3 February 2026
Interview Dates: Wednesday 11th + Thursday 12th February 2026