Inclusion Team Leader

Job Details:

Job Reference: HCC623245
Salary Range: £40,643 - £45,077 per annum
Work Location: Trinity Street, Fareham
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 1 March 2026
Interview Date: 19 March 2026

The Role:

We are looking for an Inclusion Team Leader to oversee the development and delivery of high quality Portage, Setting Support, Early Support and specialist inclusion services within Fareham and Gosport district.

What you’ll do:

You will lead a multidisciplinary team to provide home based Portage support to families with pre-school children (0–5) who have significant additional needs or disabilities, alongside targeted inclusion support to early years education and childcare providers.

Through strong leadership, partnership working and a focus on early identification, the role ensures that families and settings are empowered to meet a wide range of children’s needs, inclusive practice is promoted and embedded, and outcomes for children with SEND and other vulnerabilities continue to improve in line with SfYC’s strategic inclusion developments.

You will line manage a team comprising Portage Inclusion Practitioners, Setting Support Officers, Hub practitioners (as required), volunteers and other relevant roles, ensuring a cohesive, high performing local Inclusion Team.

The role involves supporting families who may be under emotional strain, navigating changing local and national priorities, and working flexibly to meet service needs.

Occasional out of hours work, including evenings and weekends, may be required for meetings, training and family or provider events. The post may involve lone working, including visits to family homes and early years settings.

What we’re looking for:

We are looking for an experienced Team Leader with relevant Level 4 qualification in childcare/early years/education/health/social work or Portage related field; and completed a recognized Portage course or willingness to complete it within first year of employment.

You need to be experienced in providing inclusion support within early years education and childcare settings, working closely with families, parents and carers to co‑produce effective support for children with SEND. You need to bring strong knowledge and leadership in safeguarding, child protection and safer recruitment, alongside direct hands‑on experience supporting young children with SEND or additional needs. This is underpinned by a solid understanding of child development in the early years.

Travel across the district and county is an essential aspect of the role.

Why join us?

We offer a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace, where talent is truly recognised and developed. We have created an environment that you can look forward to being a part of and where you are empowered to be your best and believe in creating a workplace built on teamwork where people can grow and develop in their roles.

To find out more about what we can offer you in return, please see our benefits package.

Additional Information:

Inclusion Team Leader Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements:

This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Sarah Hunt, Childcare Inclusion Manager on [email protected]