Experts at Hand | Sheffield Inclusion & SEND Service
Help shape the future of inclusive education in Sheffield
Sheffield is transforming the way children and young people with SEND are supported.
As part of our Experts at Hand model, we're building a team of highly skilled SEND Advisory Teachers who will work alongside schools to ensure every child can thrive in their local community.
This isn't about taking children out of school.
It's about taking expertise into schools.
You'll work directly with leaders, SENCOs, teachers, families and partners to build confidence, develop inclusive practice and reduce barriers to learning—supporting Sheffield's vision that every child belongs.
Why this role matters
National SEND reforms are placing greater emphasis on:
- Earlier intervention
- Inclusive mainstream education
- Building expertise within schools
- Stronger partnership working
- Improved outcomes for children and young people
Our Experts at Hand approach brings these reforms to life by providing specialist expertise where it's needed most.
You'll become part of a city-wide team helping schools develop sustainable inclusive practice rather than creating dependency on specialist services.
What you'll do
You'll support a group of Sheffield schools by:
- Coaching and mentoring school leaders, SENCOs and teachers
- Modelling high-quality inclusive classroom practice
- Delivering engaging professional learning
- Supporting children with complex SEND to succeed in mainstream education wherever appropriate
- Working alongside families to develop shared understanding and effective support
- Advising on Universal, Targeted and Specialist provision
- Contributing to EHCP Needs Assessments and statutory processes
- Using evidence and data to measure impact
- Helping schools develop confidence rather than reliance
This is a collaborative role where relationships, influence and practical expertise matter.
Who we're looking for
We're looking for experienced practitioners who:
- Are passionate about inclusion
- Believe every child deserves to belong in their local community
- Have significant experience supporting children with SEND
- Have successfully led SEND within schools
- Can inspire and coach others
- Are confident delivering training
- Build trusted relationships quickly
- Are solution-focused and reflective
- Enjoy working across schools and agencies
Qualified Teacher Status is essential together with substantial experience supporting children and young people with SEND.
About Experts at Hand
Experts at Hand ensures specialist expertise reaches children through the adults who support them every day.
Rather than becoming the expert for the child, you'll become the expert alongside schools, helping staff develop the confidence, knowledge and skills that create lasting change.
Together we're creating:
- More inclusive schools
- Earlier support
- Stronger partnerships
- Better outcomes
- A genuine sense of belonging for every child
Why Sheffield?
This is an exciting time to join us.
You'll play a key role in delivering:
- Sheffield's SEND and Inclusion Strategy
- The Experts at Hand model
- National SEND Reform
- The city's Belonging Framework
- A collaborative approach with education, health and family services
Join us
If you're an experienced teacher who believes inclusion is everyone's responsibility and wants to influence practice beyond a single classroom, we'd love to hear from you.
Help us build a city where expertise is shared, schools are empowered, and every child belongs.
If you would like a conversation regarding the role please contact [email protected] to arrange a mutually convenient time for a discussion.
We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.
It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.
Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form. Sometimes, if lots of people apply, we might not be able to interview everyone who qualifies for the Guarantee. In these cases, we’ll interview the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job.
We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.
If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.
Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. Find out more on our Sheff news page.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.
