Head of Education SEND & Safeguarding

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

Job Description

Do you have the ambition, creativity, and vision to transform the lives of children and young people? Are you ready to lead the reform of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services in East Sussex?

We're looking for an exceptional leader to join our forward-thinking Education Division and shape the future of SEND provision across the county.

As part of the Education leadership team, you will work collaboratively to deliver our strategy for high-quality, inclusive education. Reporting directly to the Assistant Director for Education, you will take the lead on reforming SEND services-driving improvement, managing resources effectively, and ensuring children and families benefit directly from national policy changes.

You will:

• Lead service improvement across SEND provision
• Build strong partnerships with colleagues across education and children's services, schools, health services, and families
• Drive co-production with young people, parents, and carers.
• Work alongside school leaders to deliver reform through our well-established school-led system.

This is a pivotal moment for East Sussex. We are a local authority actively testing national reform through the change programme-meaning your work will directly influence the future of SEND services both locally and beyond.

About you

We are looking for candidates with:

• Proven leadership in education or children's services.
• Energy, drive, and resilience to make a real difference.
• Integrity and moral purpose to work collaboratively with partners.
• A strong track record in improving outcomes for children and young people.

If you have the vision and expertise to shape SEND services for the next generation, we would love to hear from you.

Please get in touch for an informal conversation prior to applying. Please contact Rachel King, PA to Elizabeth Funge - Assistant Director for Education, on Rachel.king@eastsussex.gov.uk

Please download the Job Description and Person Specification for more information.

To apply for this role, please follow the 'Apply Now' button above and upload your CV and a supporting statement. We will be using your supporting statement to shortlist so please be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests.

Interviews will take place in person. These are scheduled for Friday 26 September and will include a formal interview panel, stakeholder panel and the opportunity to meet key colleagues.

We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.

About Us

Additional Information

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record. Please note that we require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad.

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.

If you require sponsorship to work in the UK please let the hiring manager know this in your application so we can check eligibility for sponsorship for the role. For further information please go to https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.