Head of Service, Access and Pupil Wellbeing

Head of Service, Access and Pupil Wellbeing

Location: Swindon

Hours: 37

Salary: £79,455 p.a. plus benefits

Closing date: 15/12/2024

Job reference: 229

Interview date: 09/01/2025

Date posted: 27/11/2024

Join us as Head of Access and Pupil Wellbeing and empower every child’s future across Swindon

Are you passionate about ensuring that every child, no matter their background or circumstances, has access to a high-quality education?

As part of our commitment outlined in our Swindon Plan, we’re striving to build a “fairer, better, and greener” borough, creating equitable opportunities for our 50,000 children and young people.

We’re looking for someone who has the leadership skills to drive impactful change across education access and pupil wellbeing services to deliver real change. If you’re ready to lead with purpose and make a lasting difference, this is your opportunity.

In Swindon, we are committed to making ambitious improvements across all of our childrens services and nothing is more important for our children than to grow up in a borough where learning at all levels is outstanding. We have made considerable progress and are ensuring in phrase 3 of our Transformation plan that we are more integrated in our thinking and more joined up across services with all our partners.

We believe that our education settings aren’t just buildings; they are the beating heart of our communities, shaping and empowering young minds. Our vision is clear and bold: Every child, every day, in a good school, safe and well.

It takes time, dedication, and a team of passionate individuals to deliver this kind of change and integrated offer for the children we serve. That’s why we’re seeking the very best people to join us on this mission—to support all our colleagues and ensure that every child in Swindon thrives.

As our new Head of Service - Access and Pupil Wellbeing, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education for over 50,000 children and young people in Swindon, planning for new schools, allocating places and supporting children to attend, every day. It is also ensuring our children are safe in school and that as we embed Working Together 2023 we are supporting education colleagues to be aware and address safeguarding issues. This role is your chance to lead change as part of our wider improvement journey across our children’s services, break down barriers, and ensure every pupil can access the education they deserve.

The role

As our Head of Access and Pupil Wellbeing, you will:

• Lead and manage all place planning and sufficiency duties related to school aged children, including overseeing large capital projects and leading bids for external funding.
• Lead and manage statutory services that include admissions, all aspects of attendance, and exclusions, to ensure all our statutory requirements are met.
• Drive the implementation of strategies that improve pupil access, safety, and wellbeing, ensuring that children at risk of missing education, and are at risk in the wider community are given the support they need to succeed.
• Oversee pupil attendance and exclusion management, working collaboratively with schools and education leaders to implement inclusive practices and reduce barriers to education.
• Build strong partnerships with social workers, children, parents, carers and external stakeholders to provide a joined-up approach to supporting vulnerable children.
• Influence policy and service delivery, ensuring that statutory pupil services are efficient, responsive, and aligned with the borough’s vision for inclusive education.

This is a leadership role that will see you at the forefront of ensuring that every child—regardless of their circumstances—has a pathway to learning, progress, and success. You will be the guardian of pupil access, ensuring that our most vulnerable children are not left behind but instead given the support, safety, and services they need to thrive.

About you

You are a proactive, solutions-focused leader with a passion for inclusion and equal access to education. You understand the importance of statutory services and the impact they can have on the lives of children and young people.

A skilled leader, with significant experience in managing education access, admissions, attendance, or similar statutory services. Strategic, able to balance operational requirements with a long-term vision for improving pupil access and support.

Committed to ensuring that no child falls through the cracks, with a focus on reducing school exclusions and increasing attendance. Driven by a passion for inclusion, with a deep understanding of the challenges facing vulnerable children and families, including those with SEND.

A collaborative leader, capable of building strong relationships with schools, families, and the wider community to ensure every child receives the support they need.

Why Swindon?

Swindon is a borough that embraces diversity, with a rich tapestry of languages, cultures, and backgrounds represented in our schools – in one of our schools alone 48 different languages are spoken. We serve a community, where high aspirations meet the realities of areas of significant deprivation. While some children face hurdles like low attendance and lower education outcomes, their potential is limitless—and it’s our mission to help them unlock it.

We’re proud to be a Borough of Sanctuary and are committed to creating a sense of community and belonging for all our residents. We’re proud of the passion, commitment and skills of our dedicated Leaders, teachers, and support staff who are focused on ensuring that no child is left behind.

Swindon Borough Council is deeply committed to its transformation journey within Children’s Services. As Head of Service – Access and Pupil Wellbeing, you’ll have a significant role in reshaping the borough’s educational landscape, working alongside OFSTED, DfE, and local providers to achieve these goals. Our commitment to making Swindon a fairer, better, and greener place to live and learn means you will be part of a dynamic community focused on impactful, sustainable progress.

Be a catalyst for change

If you’re ready to lead with purpose and make a lasting impact, we want to hear from you. Join us as we bring joy, inclusivity, and excellence back to the heart of learning in Swindon. Together, let’s build a brighter future for our children.

Apply today to become our next Head of Service – Access and Pupil Wellbeing, and help shape a brighter future for our children.

Your next package

• Relocation allowance of up to £8,000 (eligibility criteria applies)
• Competitive salaries
• Free car parking at our central Swindon campus and easy commuter links to many locations

Please see our Rewards and Benefits offer for more details.

As an employee, you will receive a diverse and exciting environment in which to work, encouraging creativity and innovation whilst recognising the need to support ongoing personal development and a flexible work life balance.

Please see our Vision and Values page for more details

Please see our new Swindon Plan

Your next steps

As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from a diverse range of communities, and in particular disabled people and people from ethnic minorities. Read our statement of commitment to equality & inclusion

Read the role profile and to apply please send your CV and cover letter to resourcing@swindon.gov.uk outlining your skills and experience.

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Tina Wells on 01793 465202