Inclusion & Safeguarding Lead in Oxford

You know the difference between a support plan that exists and one that's actually happening. You've watched learners with real needs slip through the gap between the two — the adjustment agreed in a meeting, written down, and then never quite delivered. Closing that gap, for every learner, is the job.

We're growing fast, and we're creating this role to own how inclusion actually works here — not the policy, we have that, but the practice. The person who makes sure every learner who declares a need gets it, that our coaches are equipped to deliver it, and that when a safeguarding concern comes up it's followed through to the end rather than left open and drifting.

The role involves:

• Inclusion as a culture, not a checklist. Embedding inclusive practice into how we deliver — the default way coaches teach, adjust and support — and bringing us better strategies rather than waiting to be told the current ones.
• Running Additional Learning Support briefings so every coach understands the needs in their cohort and builds the right adjustments in from day one.
• Owning the inclusion one-to-one journey end to end: ensuring the conversation happened, the need was genuinely understood, the adjustment was agreed, and that it's being delivered in practice.
• Working closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead to ensure nothing flagged drifts. Every concern with a clear next action and owner, chased and closed, documented to KCSIE standard.
• Keeping Aptem accurate and audit-ready, so at any moment the record reflects the care the learner actually got.

Who this fits:

Someone who's worked in safeguarding, inclusion, SEND or learner support in education, training or apprenticeships, and understands why the paperwork exists without ever mistaking it for the point. You hold sensitive information with complete discretion and work naturally alongside a DSL. You can carry dozens of open threads and close every one without being chased. You keep records that are accurate, timely and inspection-ready — bonus if you already know Aptem. And you communicate with warmth and clarity, so learners and coaches trust you quickly.

The non-negotiable one: you have to genuinely care about learners. Not the idea of them — the actual people, on the actual difficult days.

Why you'd want it:

Because it's a genuine ownership seat, not a support one. You'd build the inclusion capability rather than inherit it: deciding how needs get tracked, what the follow-up rhythm is, what 'properly supported' means here. And the work is real — you'd be the reason a learner who'd have quietly dropped out somewhere else finishes and gets the job.

The essentials:

• Part-time and remote in the UK, with some time with the team in London. 2 days per week, flexible within the week around the few things that need you at a set time.
• Salary: £12,000 per year for 2 days per week (£30,000 full time equivalent), paid monthly through PAYE.
• Reporting to our Head of Quality / DSL, working closely with the DSL and Deputy DSL.
• As a regulated, inspected provider we need an enhanced DBS check, safeguarding and Prevent training, and the right to work in the UK; we can't offer sponsorship.

Start as soon as you can.

iO-Sphere is committed to safeguarding and operates within regulated Further Education environments. All applicants are required to complete this application honestly and in full. Our process requires that you consent to iO-Sphere carrying out the pre-employment checks required for this role.