Army - Defence Children Services (DCS) SEND and Specialist Clinical Service Manager

Army - Defence Children Services (DCS) SEND and Specialist Clinical Service Manager

Location: Trenchard Lines, Upavon, Wiltshire (willingness to travel to overseas locations)

Grade: Soulbury 4, Abated

Salary: £ 68,786 - £74,938

Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full Time - 37 Hours

Closing Date: Thursday 26th September 2024

Are you a qualified SEND specialist who wants to make a huge difference to Defence and Service families by supporting children with SEND in overseas locations (and Scotland)? Then this role may be for you.

Defence Children Services (DCS) is recruiting a SEND and Specialist Clinical Service Manager (SENDSC Service Manager) to join our Headquarters based in Wiltshire.

As a SEND and Specialist Clinical Service Manager you will play a vital role in supporting and improving the educational outcomes of c.5000 children and young people in Service Families. This is a dynamic and exciting role providing the opportunity to work with our overseas locations and work with the wider Defence community.

DCS has staff working in Military establishments across the world. Our services include the provision of advice, guidance and support concerning the education and safeguarding for service families in the United Kingdom and across the world. This includes operating MOD schools and settings for the children of Defence personnel (Service and Civilian) serving overseas.

All our activities are crafted to meet the effective education needs of our children and families, mitigating the challenges of mobility and promoting the positive opportunities of service life. Your contribution to this is essential and invaluable.

The post holder’s key responsibilities and main duties are:

• To deliver a high-quality, specialist SEND service, providing advice and guidance to schools, 0-3 years settings, parents, and Command within the wider DCS context.
• To provide specialist strategic leadership and lead the development and maintenance of the SEND service for DCS including Education Psychologists and Speech and Language Therapists.
• To oversee the advice, consultation and guidance given to school staff delivering psychologically and speech and language-based interventions aimed at improving outcomes for children and young people.
• To constantly review demand and approach to mitigate against challenges with mobility and deployment, including working with MODLAP in the UK and Overseas Commands
• Lead, coordinate and assure key strategy areas according to service priorities.
• To work in partnership with other children’s services providers in the military community to develop integrated working practice to improve the lived experience for service families e.g., mobility, deployment, promoting positive mental health.
• Provide high quality, reports, and records of SEND advice and analysis.
• To lead the DCS Critical Incident service to support pupils, staff, and parents.
• To provide vision, direction, operational oversight and strategic leadership and line management and of the Education Psychology, Speech and Language and SEND professionals.
• Manage and monitor contracted services for Sensory Impairment Support (HI/VI) and Speech Therapy.

If you would like to have an informal chat about the role before applying, please contact Gemma Hunt, Specialist Support Services via: rc-dcs-hq-recruitment@mod.gov.uk

To apply please visit Civil Service Jobs to submit your completed application before the deadline of Thursday 26th September 2024.

Defence Children Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.