SEND Inclusion PartnerFixed Term, Full Time44,258 to 52,068 per annumLocation: ChelmsfordWorking Style: Community-based workerClosing Date: 14th September 2026
This role will be offered as a fixed-term contract or secondment until
August 2027. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role, so
applicants must have current, unrestricted right to work in the UK for
this period.
Essex County Council has embarked upon a programme of change for provision
and services with the ambition to profoundly improve the outcomes and life
experience of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and
Disabilities (SEND). Our vision is for a SEND system which identifies and
assesses need at an earlier stage and which provides appropriate and
impactful support without such high dependence on Essex County Council's
statutory services. We have a responsibility to deliver effective services
and support in the most cost effective and impactful way.
As part of the South Essex and countywide Inclusion and Psychology Teams,
the SEND Inclusion Partner will work in partnership with schools, settings,
college leaders and partnerships to drive practice both in individual and
clusters of schools and settings supporting them to be inclusive and deliver
improved outcomes for CYP, 0-25, with SEND. Building capacity for
educational settings to assess, plan, deliver and review provision for
children with SEND in line with the SEND Code of Practice 2015 is core to
the Inclusion Partner role.
Candidates will need a proven track record of influencing change in
educational settings that promotes inclusion and positive outcomes for
children and young people with SEND. The ability to build strong working
relationships and influence senior leaders both internally and externally is
key to success.
Accountabilities
Accountable as the link Inclusion Partner for specific schools,
settings, colleges or partnerships, to review, assess and improve
practice and consult on the development of One-Planning, Education,
Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNA) and Annual Review
processes, with the intention to improve outcomes for CYP with
SEND.
Responsible for providing high quality professional education
advice and support to individual/clusters of schools, settings and
colleges, to deliver an inclusive education for children and young
people with SEND. i.e. Autism, Language and Communication, Social
Emotional and Mental Health and Cognition and Learning
difficulties.
Responsible for supporting the delivery of school/setting led SEND,
including peer to peer development, within clusters of schools and
settings and dissemination of up-to-date specialist knowledge in an
area/s of SEND. Evaluating the impact of initiatives to learn from
both success and understand setbacks.
Work strategically with schools, settings and colleges, influencing
leaders to evaluate the existing offer and build capacity through
coaching, training and development to assess, plan, deliver and
review suitable provision for children with SEND.
Responsible for identifying and deploying targeted support within
schools, settings, colleges and with families, to improve the
inclusion and/or successful transition for children and young
people with severe and complex SEND. Ensure maximum impact of
interventions and the efficient and impactful use of resources
through effective monitoring and evaluation.
Working in collaboration with internal and external partners,
manage complex casework to maintain sustainability of placement,
resolve breakdown and prevent exclusion, including responding to
and resolving complaints.
Responsible for undertaking Annual Reviews of children and young
people placed in out-of-authority independent special schools, to
ensure placements are fit for purpose for Essex children, with a
view to achieving positive outcomes and, wherever possible,
supporting transition back to Essex settings.
Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined
annually within the performance management framework.
The Experience You Will Bring
Educated to RQF level 6 (Bachelor's degree), with Qualified Teacher
Status (QTS) or equivalent.
Evidence of continuing professional development and expert
knowledge in relevant area of SEND; a Masters degree in a
specialist area is highly desirable along with a commitment to
further training and development.
Substantial, relevant teaching or Early Years' experience, with
strong evidence of working with children with SEND.
In depth working knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and other
relevant national legislation.
Experience of working in partnership with other services such as
schools and settings, Health and Social Care, enhanced provisions
and the voluntary sector, with demonstrable ability to build strong
collaborative, working relationships, which engender delivery and
influence leadership.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability
to deliver training and development to a range of professionals.
Ability to drive cultural, strategic, and operational change, in a
collaborative way.
To read more about us please visit:
Education
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an
operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving
licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility
requirements of the role through other means.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a
stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and
serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change
and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of
the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in
Everyone's Essex
. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are
looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex
is the ideal place for you.
In March 2026, the Government announced that councils in Greater Essex will
be reorganised into five new unitary authorities from April 2028. In
addition to this, Greater Essex has been accepted on to the devolution
priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral
Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what
this may mean for this role, on our
careers site
.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're
committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our
Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job.
Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments
during the process. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care
leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are
applying.
Once you've secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive
many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and
flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly
ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the
Nolan principles
, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these
standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for
everyone.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role
require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update
service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are
kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your
certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for
ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update
service please go to
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the
welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and
volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities,
blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council,
please join
The Essex Talent Community
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email
resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk
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.
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SEND Inclusion Partner in Chelmsford, Essex employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment for Social Workers dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people with disabilities. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, innovative practices, and professional development, our team enjoys a nine-day working fortnight and numerous opportunities for growth within a dynamic local authority. Join us in Chelmsford, where your contributions will be valued, and together we can empower the next generation to thrive.
