SEND Cluster Programme Lead in Portsmouth

We are looking for an organised, collaborative and proactive SEND Cluster Programme Lead to support the development and effective operation of SEND locality clusters across Portsmouth.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to initiatives that improve inclusion and educational outcomes for children and young people, including some of the city’s most vulnerable learners. You will join the Inclusion Hub Team within the Transformation Service, which is responsible for implementing the SEND Reform Delivery Plan and developing inclusive mainstream practice across early years settings, schools and colleges.

Working closely with Inclusion Advisers, the Head of Transformation, school leaders and senior colleagues across the Council, you will coordinate and administer SEND cluster activity. You will also work with partners across education, health, care and the voluntary sector, acting as a key point of contact and providing a direct link between schools and other services. Using effective programme management techniques, you will help ensure that agreed actions, milestones and deliverables are completed on time.

Responsibilities

• You will maintain SEND Cluster plans, including actions, timescales, milestones, risks and mitigating actions, while monitoring progress and escalating issues where appropriate.
• You will build strong working relationships with schools, educational settings, Council services and external partners, acting as a main point of contact for SEND Cluster activity.
• You will coordinate meetings and training events, prepare agendas and papers, accurately record decisions and actions, and maintain progress reports and programme documentation.
• The role will involve monitoring cluster budgets and financial information, working with finance colleagues to ensure funding is tracked and transferred correctly to educational settings.
• You will also prepare statistical reports and management information for the Inclusion Hub, Inclusion Advisers and strategic boards.
• In addition, you will respond to enquiries, maintain accurate records of cluster activity, monitor the deployment of professionals across clusters and provide high-quality business and programme support to managers working on cluster priorities.

The ideal candidate

• You will be educated to NVQ Level 3 or have equivalent relevant experience, together with experience of working in a higher-level administrative role.
• You will have excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, meet deadlines and maintain a high level of accuracy.
• You will be a confident communicator who can build effective relationships with school leaders and partners across education, health and social care.
• You will be able to work positively in complex and changing environments, take a logical and solution-focused approach to challenges, and collaborate effectively with colleagues and external partners.
• Experience of working in a multi-agency environment and coordinating meetings, including preparing papers, taking accurate notes and recording actions, is essential.
• You will also have excellent literacy, numeracy and IT skills, including a good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• An awareness of data protection and safeguarding requirements is required, along with a willingness to travel to meetings across Portsmouth.
• Experience of stakeholder engagement within education, an understanding of SEND and inclusive mainstream practice, and experience of providing programme support or working with senior boards would be an advantage.

Additional information

• You will be required to work at least 2 days a week in the office or in education settings.

If you have any questions, or would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Sarah Christopher - sarah.christopher@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

Interviews will be held between 15th & 19th October 2026.

Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.