Head of Participation and Engagement

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About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Head of Participation and Inclusion to join our well-regarded Education Partnerships Service. Education Partnerships is responsible for championing the educational rights of all children and young people in North Somerset, and particularly those whose personal circumstances and experiences make them more vulnerable to poorer outcomes than their peers.

In this role, you will provide the strategic leadership that ensures that educational settings embrace a diverse community of children and their families and adapt their practices to enable them to participate fully in learning opportunities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leading and managing services for cohorts of vulnerable children and young people who reside in North Somerset
• Work with school leaders to help them to successfully embed a culture and practices which are flexible and inclusive
• Broker effective partnerships with peers and partners to enable a whole child/whole family level of support
• Act as the Councils lead expert and adviser on strategies for improving the quality of inclusive practice in schools and advising on actions/interventions required to improve those causing concern.
• Provide leadership for and oversight of the Local Authority Maintained Pupil Referral Unit and Medical Tuition Provision, working in collaboration with commissioning colleagues
• Monitor, track and evaluate progress in the quality of safeguarding practices and changes in legislative and policy imperatives, identifying risks and opportunities and creating effective plans to respond effectively to these
• Contribute to the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), lead the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA), Re-integration team and Post 16 Participation
• Lead and support the Education Welfare Team, Re-integration team, Post 16 Participation team, Elective Home Education Team and the Gypsy Roma &Traveller Advisory Teacher
• Ensure children receive their full entitlement to a suitable education (or employment or training where the young person is no longer of statutory school age), regardless of who provides this
• Ensure school attendance remains high, that school suspensions or permanent exclusions remain low and that support is provided for particular communities
• Initiate and promote partnership and co-production activities, including with parents/carers and young people to develop high quality and appropriate educational provision and services to meet the needs of children and young people through direct delivery and commissioning arrangements across Education, Health and Social Care

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

This position is currently based at our Town Hall offices in Weston Super Mare.

This post is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about partnerships and inclusion within Education, and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• Qualified teacher status or equivalent work-based experience
• Proven track record of education systems leadership which has resulted in improved levels of participation and inclusion in learning amongst diverse and vulnerable cohorts of children and young people
• Sound understanding of the legislative framework which childrens rights to participation in education
• Success in forging strong partnerships of trust and challenge across a range of agencies and community stakeholders
• Experience of embedding a positive culture of continuous improvement
• Experience of successfully navigating a political environment to achieve the best for children and young people
• Experience of managing a significant budget and working with due regard to public funds
• Experience of presenting timely and high quality written and verbal reports which reflect rigour of analysis to a diverse range of stakeholders

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment.

We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet .

How to Apply

If you share our vision and values and are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Pip Hesketh, Assistant Director, Education Partnerships, pip.hesketh@n-somerset.gov.uk

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: Wednesday 19 February 2025.

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.