Head of Specialist Education Services

• Suffolk County Council – Endeavour House, Ipswich, IP1 2BX  #Hybrid
• £70,086 - £79,174 per annum
• 37 hours per week - Flexible working options available
• Permanent

We’re passionate about improving the future for our customers, our communities and the environment. If you are too, join us as Head of Specialist Education Services and make a huge and meaningful impact. Your innovation and drive will help us to continue improving and evolving. Our opportunities and support will enable you to make a difference and leave a positive, lasting legacy.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

You will:

• provide strategic leadership to the Specialist Education Services, providing leadership and direction to continue the development of Early Intervention and specialist support into Suffolk schools
• work with services across the Suffolk Local Area Partnership including Health, Social Care, and Education to work collaboratively to provide early intervention and specialist support to children and young people with SEND
• use your skills, lead, motivate and deliver services across Cognition & Learning, Social Emotional Mental Health, Communication and Interaction and Sensory/and or Physical alongside the Whole School Inclusion Service and all related teams within Inclusion Services
• have leadership and oversight of the Specialist Education Services (SES) and all associated budgets; ensuring high-quality delivery of all the services, across all 4 areas of need and the Whole School Inclusion Service. Providing early intervention and support to CYP with SEND and supporting inclusive practice in our schools and settings, in line with the SCC Graduated Response
• work across the continuum of need - from early intervention to high-level, complex needs
• liaise and work strategically with Early Years and Post 16 sectors to ensure effective transition and continuity
• represent the Inclusion Service at key Local Area Partnership meetings
• work with wider colleagues and partners across the SEND system, including health, mental health and social care teams, adult Services, parent-carer forums and the Engagement Hub
• have oversight and delivery of the NPQ SENCo in conjunction with external partners and awarding bodies
• have key leadership involvement in the SCC All-Age Autism Strategy
• have oversight and responsibility for safeguarding practices and policies across all the services.

You will need:

• Qualified Teacher Status and evidence of teaching and school leadership at a high level
• experience in strategic leadership, with a proven record of managing and delivering services for children and young people with SEND
• to demonstrate your values to hold children and young people with SEND at the heart of service development and improvement
• to thrive to ensure all services are working in partnership to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. 

The team

The role sits within the Inclusion Service in Suffolk County Council and forms a part of the Inclusion Service Management Team under the direction of the Assistant Director Inclusion. This is therefore a senior level post and, as such, will have a high degree of autonomy.

You will:

• be accountable for the effective and efficient high-quality delivery of all aspects of the Specialist Education Services, early intervention and the SCC Graduated Response
• work closely with other senior managers and external partners in discussing, supporting and implementing wider service development and improvement, commissioning and financial planning
• play a key and crucial part in the delivery of the SEND Strategy in Suffolk, as an advocate of children, young people (CYP) and their families.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Ros Somerville Assistant Director, Inclusion she/her for a casual conversation. You can reach them by emailing: ros.somerville@suffolk.gov.uk

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx).

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 500 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.

1. Describe a time when you had to inspire and motivate a team during a particularly challenging period. What leadership strategies did you employ, and what was the outcome?
2. Can you describe a situation where you challenged the status quo in your organisation to improve services for children with SEND? What obstacles did you face, and how did you overcome them?
3. Can you give an example of how you've successfully built and maintained a strategic partnership with another organisation or service to improve outcomes for children with SEND and explain what you actually did to achieve this?

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format. If you would like an adjustment to this process due to a disability, please contact us at 03456 014412 or recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk

Closing date: 11.30pm, 17 September 2024

Interview date: 24 or 27 September 2024

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).