Education in Somerset
Working to ensure every child in Somerset has the best educational start in life. That’s what our Education and Inclusion services are all about here in Somerset.
From ensuring children and young people in care have access to high quality learning via our Virtual School, to looking after over 3000 Education, Health and Care plans across Somerset – whichever team you join you’ll promote positive outcomes for children in Somerset.
And we’re ambitious for the future. Our SEN Statutory team are focussed on rapid improvement across both statutory assessments and reviews and we’re investing in the team to support this journey.
Join us and you’ll find a challenging and highly rewarding career, where you’ll have every opportunity to make a positive difference to children’s lives.
You can also read Somerset’s Strategic Vision for Education by clicking here
The teams in Education
Educational Psychology Service
Our Educational Psychologists are committed to working in a person-centred way, to support the inclusion, participation and achievement of children and young people in Somerset. Join this team and you’ll work in a variety of ways and offer problem-solving consultation, advice and support to teachers, parents, and SENCOs, the wider community, as well as the children and young people concerned.
The team provide a statutory service to Somerset County Council and North Somerset Council, a core service to schools and settings in Somerset through a Community Educational Psychology model, and a preventative Education Psychology service to schools and settings in North Somerset.
Virtual School
Although we are not a ‘real’ school with buildings and classrooms, our Virtual School aims to do the very best we can to help children and young people in care enjoy education and succeed in the real schools they attend.
Join this team and you’ll work closely with Designated Teachers and Social Workers, giving advice to make sure Personal Education Plans (PEPs) are thoughtful and will help children and young people to make progress. You’ll also work with other staff at times when there might be difficulties in school, for example if there are issues with attendance or exclusions.
SEN Statutory Team
Join this team and help get it right for children, young people and their families, enabling them to be taught in their local school with the support they need.
Working at pace, the team have responsibility for completing statutory Education, Health and Care assessments and maintaining over 3000 Education, Health and Care Plans for the children and young people of Somerset.
Meet some of our team
Joanne Bundy, Senior Assessment and Reviewing Officer
“I started working for Somerset County Council in September 2019 having previously been a Reception Class Teacher and Early Years Unit Lead. I’d always had an interest in Special Educational Needs (SEN) at a school level – so this role was an ideal opportunity.
My work is varied and interesting, with support readily available if I am ever unsure of next steps. I’m really proud to work within a newly expanded team, where everyone is working hard to improve the outcomes for children and young people with Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans.
The professional development I’ve has access to has been brilliant, I’ve attended SEN conferences, had opportunities to shadow colleagues and we have regular guest speakers from a variety of professional background in our team meetings. I love that I’m always learning something new and contributing to the improvement of our service.”
Get in touch
We're always pleased to hear from talented people. So if you've got any questions about the opportunities that we have available in Education, or if there's anything else you'd like to know before you apply (or even during the application process), please get in touch with us.
Email the teamInside the council
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