At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a multidisciplinary service to support children and young people in education.
- Company: Join a supportive organisation dedicated to inclusion and innovation in Rochdale.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, pension scheme, and employee wellbeing perks.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to influence the future of inclusion support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping inclusive practices.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and a passion for improving educational outcomes.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
The role of Inclusion Support Service Manager is a unique and exciting opportunity to lead, develop and shape a multidisciplinary service at the heart of Rochdale's ambition for earlier help, stronger inclusion and more joined-up support for children, young people and schools. We are looking for an experienced, inspirational and values-led manager to lead our Inclusion Support Service, supporting children and young people who may be at risk of suspension or permanent exclusion, or who are experiencing emotionally based non-attendance (EBNA).
The service brings together a broad range of professional expertise including education, Early Help, CAMHS, Educational Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, youth work, therapeutic services, outreach and EBNA support. This is a particularly exciting time to join us as we are working towards a neighbourhood model of delivery, bringing support and professional expertise closer to children, families and schools and strengthening the connections between education and the wider community and services that surround them.
For the successful candidate, this means an opportunity not simply to manage a service, but to help shape how inclusive support is organised and delivered across Rochdale as the national SEND landscape develops.
About the role
As Inclusion Support Service Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership to a large and diverse multidisciplinary team. At the centre of the role will be people leadership and development. You will bring together professionals with different skills, disciplines and professional backgrounds around a shared purpose: helping children and young people to be included, engaged and successful in education.
You will create a strong team identity and culture while recognising and making the best use of the specialist expertise that individual professionals bring. You will be responsible for recruitment, induction, supervision, appraisal, performance management, workforce development and staff wellbeing, alongside coaching, mentoring and professionally challenging colleagues to achieve consistently high standards of practice.
Developing a neighbourhood approach to inclusion
A key aspect of the role will be contributing to the development of Inclusion Support Service as part of a more preventative, locality and neighbourhood-focused approach. This will include thinking creatively about how multidisciplinary expertise can be organised around schools and communities so that support is accessible earlier, coordinated effectively and focused on building capacity rather than creating additional referral pathways.
You will work across professional and organisational boundaries to develop approaches that:
- provide earlier help when children begin to experience barriers to attendance, engagement or inclusion
- make multidisciplinary expertise more accessible to schools and settings
- strengthen the confidence and capability of mainstream staff to meet a wider range of needs
- support children experiencing EBNA and those at risk of suspension or permanent exclusion
- create stronger connections between schools, families, education, SEND, health and wider children's services
- reduce unnecessary escalation through timely and proportionate intervention
- ensure specialist expertise complements, rather than duplicates, existing SEND and inclusion provision
- use data, feedback and outcomes to identify need and continually develop the local offer
This reflects the direction of Experts at Hand, where multidisciplinary expertise is intended not only to provide direct support but also to build workforce capability through specialist advice, coaching and support in mainstream settings.
Shaping and developing the service
This role offers much more than the day-to-day management of an established team. You will have a genuine opportunity to influence how the Inclusion Support Service develops, working with schools, partners and colleagues to establish a responsive, evidence-informed and outcome-focused model.
You will help us answer some important questions:
- How do we get support to children earlier?
- How do we bring the right professionals around schools without creating unnecessary complexity?
- How do we build capacity within mainstream education while retaining access to specialist expertise?
- And how do we know that our interventions are making a sustained difference to children's attendance, inclusion, engagement and educational outcomes?
The postholder will monitor and evaluate service performance, including attendance, exclusion, reintegration and engagement outcomes, and use this intelligence to inform service improvement and the deployment of resources.
About you
We are looking for an experienced, confident and inspiring leader who is passionate about inclusion and improving outcomes for children and young people. You will have significant experience of leading and developing multidisciplinary or multi-agency teams, with the ability to bring together professionals from different disciplines, create a strong shared purpose and build a culture of high expectations, accountability and continuous improvement.
You will be an excellent people manager, able to coach, mentor, motivate and professionally challenge staff, while supporting their wellbeing and development. You will be comfortable leading change and developing a service, using data, evidence and professional insight to understand impact and ensure that support makes a measurable difference to children, families and schools.
You will bring strong knowledge and experience of inclusion, attendance, SEND, safeguarding and suspension and permanent exclusion, alongside an understanding of Emotional Based Non-Attendance (EBNA) and effective early intervention approaches. Just as importantly, you will be a collaborative and credible partner who can build strong relationships with schools, families and professionals across education, health and social care, providing both support and constructive challenge when needed.
Above all, we want someone who is passionate about developing people as well as developing services, who can help shape an ambitious Inclusion Support Service and ensure that children and young people receive the right support at the right time to remain engaged in education and achieve positive outcomes.
What we offer
This is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of inclusion innovation and by shaping and developing Rochdale’s Inclusion Support Service, leading a talented multidisciplinary team and helping to strengthen inclusive practice across the borough. You’ll join a supportive and ambitious organisation where you can make a real difference for children and young people, while continuing to develop as a leader. We also offer flexible working, generous annual leave, the Local Government Pension Scheme and a range of employee wellbeing and lifestyle benefits.
Come and help us build a service that intervenes earlier, strengthens inclusion and gives more children the opportunity to thrive in education.
Inclusion Support Service Manager employer: Rochdale Council
Rochdale's Brokerage Team is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment where you can truly make a difference in the lives of adults requiring care and support. With a competitive salary, generous leave entitlement, and a strong commitment to professional development, you'll find ample opportunities for growth while enjoying a flexible work-life balance in the vibrant Number One Riverside location. Join us to be part of a motivated team dedicated to delivering high-quality Adult Social Care services in Rochdale.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Inclusion Support Service Manager
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Rochdale Council!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Rochdale Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Inclusion Support Service Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Rochdale Council. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Rochdale Council and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Rochdale Council. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Rochdale Council's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rochdale Council
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Rochdale Council.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Rochdale Council will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Rochdale Council and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
