At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students in thriving through behavioural and emotional guidance.
- Company: Join a high-performing school community focused on integrity and imagination.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, local government pension, and access to a free virtual GP service.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with clear commitment to professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives and promote a culture of empathy.
- Qualifications: Resilience, empathy, and strong relationship-building skills required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Leigh Academy Tonbridge is seeking an Inclusion Officer to join our committed team. This pivotal role offers the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of young people by supporting them to reflect, reset and thrive in a culture of high expectations.
As our Inclusion Officer, you will work closely with students who need additional behavioural and emotional support to thrive in a mainstream setting. You will lead targeted interventions, manage individual support plans, and build strong relationships with students, families, and staff to promote a culture of empathy, accountability, and personal growth.
The successful candidate will:
- Be calm, resilient and able to build positive relationships with students
- Supervise our internal exclusion room and uphold routines for focused, disruption-free learning
- Provide students with guidance and strategies to improve behaviour and self-regulation
- Work closely with families, pastoral leads and the senior team to promote inclusion over exclusion
If you’re resilient, empathetic, and ready to take on a role with real purpose and impact - we’d love to hear from you.
Please note that interviews may be held on a rolling basis.
Leigh Academy Tonbridge is a thriving, high-performing school community built on strong values of integrity, courage, and imagination. With a rich legacy from Hayesbrook Academy and a growing co-educational intake, we offer a nurturing, inclusive environment where every student is known, supported and challenged to succeed.
Our small school model creates a culture of high expectations, exceptional behaviour, and strong relationships—recognised by Ofsted in 2022, which praised our students’ “exceptional behaviour and attitudes” and highlighted our relentless focus on raising standards. Staff are proud to work here, and benefit from a collaborative, supportive culture and clear commitment to professional growth.
With disruption-free classrooms, a digital curriculum, and a strong academic and pastoral ethos, we equip students with the knowledge, values, and skills to thrive in the modern world. Whether you're starting out or looking for your next challenge, you'll be joining a team united by purpose—driven to make a lasting difference.
Join us on our mission to shape the future with imagination and integrity.
Our Commitment to Safeguarding, Equality & Diversity: Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units which is in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.
As a Trust, we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not discriminating on any grounds.
Inclusion Officer employer: LeighAcademiesTrust
Leigh Academies Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a nurturing environment where the Student Wellbeing & Success Manager can thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth and a commitment to student success, staff benefit from competitive salaries, progression opportunities, and a supportive community that values collaboration and empathy. Located in a vibrant area, this role provides unique advantages such as access to a local government pension scheme, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Inclusion Officer
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at LeighAcademiesTrust.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from LeighAcademiesTrust!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like LeighAcademiesTrust, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at LeighAcademiesTrust or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Inclusion Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to LeighAcademiesTrust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to LeighAcademiesTrust! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at LeighAcademiesTrust
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
