Head of Service, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) & Inclusion

Head of Service, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) & Inclusion

Location: Swindon

Hours: 37

Salary: £79,455 p.a. plus benefits

Closing date: 15/12/2024

Job reference: 228

Interview date: 07/01/2025

Date posted: 27/11/2024

Lead the Way in Transforming SEND and Inclusion Services in Swindon

Are you passionate about creating an inclusive future where every child and young person with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) receives the support they need to succeed?

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 over 50,000 young people.

We are now seeking an exceptional leader to serve as Head of Service for SEND & Inclusion, responsible for overseeing SEND services, forming collaborative partnerships, and leading our community in delivering transformative education.

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 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.

About the Role

As Head of Service, SEND & Inclusion, you will play a vital role in shaping Swindon’s inclusive education landscape, ensuring that children with SEND thrive within our schools and communities.

This role includes managing SEND services, overseeing inspection readiness, and leading arrangements across Swindon’s 88 schools and over 600 early years settings. You will be responsible for the commissioning and daily operational management of nearly 1,000 special school placements, coordinating travel to school, and overseeing significant budgetary and staffing responsibilities.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead SEND Excellence: Drive the delivery of high-quality, inclusive SEND services, ensuring children with SEND have access to tailored, impactful support.
• Strategic partnerships: Work closely with all education settings, schools, health, social care, and community partners to build integrated working models and foster robust community alliances that champion inclusion.
• Inspection oversight: Act as the lead for Ofsted and CQC inspections, managing regulatory compliance across local education, health, and care partnerships
• Lead on SEND home-to-school transport, ensuring that all pupils with special educational needs have the transportation and support needed to attend school regularly and safely.
• Innovate and inspire: Develop and implement innovative strategies that align with Swindon’s inclusive education agenda, advancing equity and opportunity for all children.
• Empower educators: Support a team of specialists, including educational psychologists and SEND-focused teachers, ensuring they have the resources to make a meaningful impact.

In addition, this role will be instrumental in coordinating our response to key national policies, including SEND reforms, while fostering a culture of inclusion and high expectations.

What you bring:

We’re looking for a leader with proven experience in senior SEND or related educational roles who can drive systemic change and inspire others. You will have:

• Strategic vision and leadership: A track record of success in driving change within SEND services.
• In-depth policy knowledge: Expertise in SEND legislation, policy, and best practices.
• Relationship-building skills: The ability to collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including schools, health services, and families.
• Commitment to inclusion: A genuine passion for creating equitable opportunities for children with SEND.

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 SEND 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