Suffolk County Council is looking for a Head of Specialist Education Services based in Endeavor House, Ipswich. 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 join us on a full-time, permanent basis. The successful candidate will earn a competitive salary of £70,086 - £79,174 per annum.

This is a hybrid role.

About the Head of Specialist Education Services role:

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.

Responsibilities:

• 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.

What we're looking for in our Head of Specialist Education Services:

• 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.?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.?

Benefits you'll receive as our Head of Specialist Education Services role:

• 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

Closing date: 11.30pm, 17 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.