Job Introduction
Lead inclusive practice. Shape confident schools. Improve outcomes for children with SEND.
About Us
Together, we’re the moment makers and we’re focussed on making every day the best it can be for our residents. Whatever you do here, you’ll look around and say, “I make a difference”. Because we’re all creating lasting change to people’s lives in Oxfordshire.
Together, we’re shaping children’s education for the future. Everyday, our colleagues are helping to transform the lives of the residents of Oxfordshire by providing children and young people with the best possible education.
Everyday you’ll be
About Us
Lead inclusive practice. Shape confident schools. Improve outcomes for children with SEND.
Together, we’re the moment makers and we’re focussed on making every day the best it can be for our residents. Whatever you do here, you’ll look around and say, “I make a difference”. Because we’re all creating lasting change to people’s lives in Oxfordshire.
Together, we’re shaping children’s education for the future. Everyday, our colleagues are helping to transform the lives of the residents of Oxfordshire by providing children and young people with the best possible education.
Everyday you’ll be challenged in a new way, supported by your team, in an organisation that is free thinking, flexible, and helps people achieve their ambitions. We’re not afraid to do things differently and our dynamic culture means this is a place where new ideas are embraced, and innovation thrives.
We believe that together, our differences make us stronger, and that diversity is the foundation for innovation. Here, you can create a unique career for yourself – while raising the bar for the future of Education.
Are you in?
About the Role
Interviews for this role will take place on Thursday 21st May 2026.
The SEND and Inclusion Advisory Teams sit within the Children, Education and Families Directorate at Oxfordshire County Council and play a central role in delivering the council’s ambition to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND. The service provides expert leadership and support across the system, driving inclusive practice and educational excellence so that all children and young people with SEND can attend, participate and succeed.
The SEND and Inclusion Advisory Manager is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for leading a skilled multidisciplinary team and delivering high‑impact services across Oxfordshire. You will oversee complex and innovative programmes aligned to the council’s long‑term vision, ensuring services are high‑quality, efficient and responsive to changing needs. With responsibility for operational planning, workforce development and budget management, you will champion service quality and assurance, make decisions within the scheme of delegation, and work closely with senior leaders and partners to influence the strategic direction of SEND and Inclusion and deliver against Oxfordshire’s corporate priorities
About you
You are an experienced and values‑driven leader with deep expertise in SEND and inclusive practice, particularly across communication and interaction, cognition and learning, and social, emotional and mental health. You bring a strong track record of leading multidisciplinary teams, managing complex services and budgets, and working confidently with schools, partners and senior stakeholders to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND. You are skilled at balancing operational delivery with strategic thinking, champion early identification and intervention, and are committed to co‑production, service quality and inclusive leadership. You thrive in a system‑leadership role, are comfortable leading through change, and share our ambition to ensure children and young people with SEND can attend, participate and succeed in education.
We encourage an informal discussion prior to application. For more information about this post, please contact Deborah Smit, Assistant Director SEND and Inclusion (Deborah.smit@oxfordshire.gov.uk or 07919 308745)
Rewards and benefits
- Culture of flexible working
- Technology to support agile working where role permits
- 30 day’s holiday p.a. plus bank holidays
- Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
- Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
- Enhanced family friendly policies
Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Our commitment to:
Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Our commitment to:
Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
Follow us on Social Media
Stay up-to-date with the latest news and featured jobs from Oxfordshire County Council by following us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
If you encounter any issues with the application system, please contact us at: Deborah.smit@oxfordshire.gov.uk
challenged in a new way, supported by your team, in an organisation that is free thinking, flexible, and helps people achieve their ambitions. We’re not afraid to do things differently and our dynamic culture means this is a place where new ideas are embraced, and innovation thrives.
We believe that together, our differences make us stronger, and that diversity is the foundation for innovation. Here, you can create a unique career for yourself – while raising the bar for the future of Education.
Are you in?
About the Role
Interviews for this role will take place on Thursday 21st May 2026.
The SEND and Inclusion Advisory Teams sit within the Children, Education and Families Directorate at Oxfordshire County Council and play a central role in delivering the council’s ambition to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND. The service provides expert leadership and support across the system, driving inclusive practice and educational excellence so that all children and young people with SEND can attend, participate and succeed.
The SEND and Inclusion Advisory Manager is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for leading a skilled multidisciplinary team and delivering high‑impact services across Oxfordshire. You will oversee complex and innovative programmes aligned to the council’s long‑term vision, ensuring services are high‑quality, efficient and responsive to changing needs. With responsibility for operational planning, workforce development and budget management, you will champion service quality and assurance, make decisions within the scheme of delegation, and work closely with senior leaders and partners to influence the strategic direction of SEND and Inclusion and deliver against Oxfordshire’s corporate priorities
About you
You are an experienced and values‑driven leader with deep expertise in SEND and inclusive practice, particularly across communication and interaction, cognition and learning, and social, emotional and mental health. You bring a strong track record of leading multidisciplinary teams, managing complex services and budgets, and working confidently with schools, partners and senior stakeholders to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND. You are skilled at balancing operational delivery with strategic thinking, champion early identification and intervention, and are committed to co‑production, service quality and inclusive leadership. You thrive in a system‑leadership role, are comfortable leading through change, and share our ambition to ensure children and young people with SEND can attend, participate and succeed in education.
We encourage an informal discussion prior to application. For more information about this post, please contact Deborah Smit, Assistant Director SEND and Inclusion (Deborah.smit@oxfordshire.gov.uk or 07919 308745)
Rewards and benefits
- Culture of flexible working
- Technology to support agile working where role permits
- 30 day’s holiday p.a. plus bank holidays
- Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
- Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
- Enhanced family friendly policies
Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Our commitment to:
Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Our commitment to:
Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
Follow us on Social Media
Stay up-to-date with the latest news and featured jobs from Oxfordshire County Council by following us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
If you encounter any issues with the application system, please contact: [PLEASE ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS HERE]
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