Chief Finance Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Head(s) of Provision, Clerk to the Trust
Main Purpose
The CEO will provide strategic leadership and direction to Horizons Therapeutic Education Trust (HTET), ensuring the highest possible standards of education, financial sustainability, and operational excellence across all HTET sites. The CEO will be accountable to the Trust Board and will drive a culture of continuous improvement, fostering collaboration and innovation. The CEO will proactively promote and model the values, vision and mission of HTET within the organisation and to partners, communities and other stakeholders.
Key Accountabilities
The CEO will be accountable to the Trust Board for:
Providing strong strategic leadership towards the Trust's vision and goals
The performance of all HTET schools and provisions
The safeguarding of children and young people across the Trust
Leading and overseeing the efficient, effective and compliant management of the Trust and its schools
As the Trust's accounting officer, the CEO is responsible for:
Ensuring HTET fulfils statutory and regulatory responsibilities
Ensuring the responsible and appropriate use of public funds
Planning, implementing and monitoring the Trust's internal and external financial reporting
Leadership and Management Responsibilities:
Strategic leadership of HTET, including development and delivery of innovative therapeutic education for young people with complex social, emotional and mental health needs
Leadership of the Trust's partnership work with the Local Authority, The Shaw Trust, and CAMHS (NHS), ensuring joined-up support for young people in care and those at risk of psychiatric hospital admission
Leadership and development of teaching, learning, and therapeutic practice across all HTET sites, including Misterton Learning Centre and the new Wellington provision
Building and sustaining a high-performing multidisciplinary team, including Clinical Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Psychotherapy, Nursing, Teaching, and Education Practitioners
Developing, implementing and reviewing Trust-level policies to ensure the achievement of HTET's aims
Ensuring management and organisational structures are fit for purpose and facilitate continuous improvement
Strengthening community links through effective communication, responding to local needs, and engaging with all key stakeholders
Enhancing networking and business development through strategic partnerships to ensure HTET is a leading hub for therapeutic education in the region
Leading on talent management, CPD, and succession planning, empowering senior staff and supporting recruitment and professional development
Guiding the Trust through changes to education sector initiatives and practice, including curriculum changes and accountability frameworks
Ensuring effective leadership and management of all schools within the Trust through strategic support, challenge, and development of Heads of School
Oversight of compliance with statutory and legal obligations, including safeguarding, health & safety, and educational requirements
Securing accountability by monitoring, evaluating, and reviewing school practices and promoting improvement strategies across HTET
Leading on strategic financial planning to ensure equitable deployment of budgets and resources, supporting student outcomes and sustainability
Quality of Education and Student Outcomes:
Developing and leading HTET's improvement processes, identifying and analysing needs, prioritising solutions, and evaluating impact
Providing quality assurance and accountability through rigorous target setting and monitoring
Embedding creative, responsive, and effective approaches to teaching, learning, and therapeutic practice
Ensuring students are equipped to be successful in life beyond school
Safeguarding and Compliance:
Ensuring HTET and its schools meet safeguarding responsibilities in line with current legislation
Ensuring compliance with health and safety, data protection, Companies House, Charity Commission, DfE and ESFA requirements
Embedding trust-wide accountability and quality assurance procedures
Finance and Procurement:
Acting as accounting officer, ensuring HTET works to the standards set out in the Academy Trust Handbook
Working closely with the CFO to establish and oversee effective financial monitoring systems
Developing and overseeing income generation strategies, including grant applications and fundraising
Overseeing resource allocation, budget-setting and approval, and ensuring budgetary targets are met
Establishing effective procurement procedures and working with key partners, including auditors and accountants
Other Duties:
The CEO is expected to comply with any reasonable request from the Board of Trustees to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.
Employees are expected to be courteous to colleagues and provide a welcoming environment to visitors and callers.
Horizons Therapeutic Education Trust will make reasonable adjustments to the job and working environment to enable access to employment opportunities for disabled applicants or continued employment for any employee who develops a disabling condition.
About Us
Horizons Therapeutic Education Trust (HTET) is a bold and innovative organisation dedicated to providing specialist education for young people of secondary age up to 18 with complex social, emotional and mental health needs. We are at the beginning of an exciting journey, establishing a pioneering provision that places therapeutic practice and aspirational outcomes at the heart of everything we do.
Our commitment is to ensure that every young person who joins us is supported to discover their potential and take meaningful steps towards a fulfilling future.
Our Vision
Our vision is for Horizons Therapeutic Education Trust to be recognised as a leading provider of therapeutic education, known for its unwavering commitment to young people who face some of the most significant challenges. We aim to create a safe, nurturing and ambitious environment where young people can thrive.
Our Strategic Direction
HTET is proud to be part of a strategic partnership with the Local Authority, The Shaw Trust, and CAMHS (NHS). This collaboration enables us to provide intensive, joined-up support to two key groups:
Young people who are supported in care through the partnership
Young people at risk of admission to psychiatric hospital
Our Team
At the heart of HTET is a highly skilled multidisciplinary team (MDT) comprising professionals from Clinical Psychology, Teaching, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Psychotherapy, Nursing, and wider Education Practice. This integrated approach ensures that every young person receives holistic, personalised support that addresses their educational, emotional and therapeutic needs. The strength of our team lies in its ability to work collaboratively, drawing on diverse expertise to create tailored interventions and consistent trauma-informed care. This not only enhances outcomes for our students but also builds trust and stability: the key ingredients for long-term progress.
Our Schools
Horizons Therapeutic Education Trust currently operates on one site but will shortly be expanding to a second location:
Misterton Learning Centre, a well-established provision offering therapeutic education in a calm, structured environment.
A new site in Wellington, Somerset, currently undergoing redevelopment, which will expand our capacity and enhance our ability to meet the needs of young people across the region.
Our schools are designed to meet the needs of young people of secondary age up to 18 who face significant challenges related to social, emotional and mental health. Many of our students are supported in care or are at risk of admission to psychiatric hospital, and require intensive, integrated support.
For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Mark Conway, Chair of Trustees, at mark.conway@horizonstet.co.uk.
For a full application information pack, please email: MLCOffice@horizonstet.co.uk.
Apply by sending your full CV to MLCOffice@horizonstet.co.uk.
The closing date for this position is 15th December 2025.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: 119,350.00-138,230.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Misterton TA18 8LZ
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