We are looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Behaviour and Inclusion Lead Practitioner to provide specialist leadership and advice across Early Years, school-age and Post-16 settings.
The role will help shape inclusive practice, strengthen early intervention and support children and young people, including those with SEND and those experiencing emotionally based school non-attendance (EBSNA), to remain engaged in education and avoid escalation to exclusion, alternative provision or statutory services.
You will work closely with schools, families and partner agencies, using evidence, local intelligence and professional influence to improve outcomes, reduce inequalities and support borough-wide priorities around behaviour, attendance, SEMH and reintegration.
What you'll be doing
- Lead and coordinate specialist behaviour and inclusion support across Early Years, schools, Post-16 providers and alternative provision.
- Provide strategic advice, challenge and professional guidance to school leaders and practitioners.
- Support inclusive and relational approaches that reduce the risk of suspension, exclusion and disengagement.
- Provide targeted intervention for children and young people with SEND and those experiencing EBSNA or other behaviour, attendance or SEMH needs.
- Work with parents and carers to strengthen engagement and support sustained participation in education.
- Help settings identify unmet needs early and implement appropriate graduated responses.
- Contribute to Team Around the Child and wider multi-agency planning, ensuring support is coordinated and outcome-focused.
- Lead implementation of borough-wide inclusion approaches, including reintegration pathways, attendance support, inclusive practice guidance and promotion of the Local Offer.
- Represent the service at professional meetings, panels and partnership forums, providing clear recommendations to support decision-making.
- Maintain accurate records, case analysis and impact reporting to evidence outcomes and identify emerging themes.
- Provide professional guidance, modelling and advice to school staff and partner professionals.
- Contribute to workforce development and build confidence and capability in inclusive behaviour practice.
- Develop and refine guidance, tools, pathways and resources to support settings with behaviour, attendance and SEMH needs.
- Analyse recurring themes, pressures and gaps in provision and translate these into recommendations for service planning and development.
- Use insight from children, families, schools and partners to inform service design, workforce development and continuous improvement.
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of interventions on engagement, attendance, behaviour, reintegration and educational outcomes.
- Contribute to quality assurance and ensure learning from individual cases and wider trends informs practice and service development.
Working with partners
You will build effective relationships with a wide range of colleagues and partners, including:
- Headteachers, senior leaders and SENCOs across Early Years settings, schools and colleges.
- Alternative provision leaders.
- Children, young people and families.
- Virtual School, Inclusion, SEND and Attendance teams.
- Early Help and Family Hubs.
- Educational Psychology, Youth Justice and Social Care.
- Health and mental health services.
- Voluntary and community sector organisations.
- Commissioning and wider Children’s Services colleagues.
- Regional and borough-wide education networks.
About you
We are looking for someone who can:
- Provide specialist advice and professional challenge around behaviour and inclusion.
- Work confidently with schools, families and multi-agency partners.
- Use evidence, data and local intelligence to identify needs and inform decision-making.
- Take a strengths-based and solution-focused approach.
- Support early identification and proportionate intervention.
- Influence practice and build the confidence and capacity of education settings.
- Work autonomously while maintaining effective communication and partnership working.
- Understand the needs of children and young people with SEND and those experiencing attendance, behaviour and SEMH difficulties.
- Contribute effectively to service development, quality assurance and continuous improvement.
- Keep children, young people and families at the centre of decision-making.
What success looks like
- Improved engagement, attendance, reintegration and educational participation.
- Reduced risk of suspension, exclusion, part-time timetables and escalation to statutory pathways.
- Increased confidence and capacity within schools and partner settings to meet behaviour, attendance and SEMH needs.
- Timely and effective multi-agency responses with reduced duplication.
- Clear evidence that practice insight, performance information and stakeholder feedback are informing wider service development and inclusion priorities.
We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:
- Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
- 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
- Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
- Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
- Cycle to Work – Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
- Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
- Perkbox Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Perkbox Benefits.
- Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
- Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
- Trade Union Membership – The Council recognises UNISON, Unite, AEP and GMB and supports employees’ freedom of choice in relation to trade union membership.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.
The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.
Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.
Recruitment Information
Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre-employment screening:
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Qualifications Check
- 5 years of Referencing
Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.
It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
