Job Description

We are looking for a talented and experienced individual to be our Director of SEND & Inclusive Learning.

As Director of SEND and inclusive learning you will provide effective leadership for the development of provision and support across the College, ensuring that we meet the needs of all learners. You will lead the designated areas ensuring that all students with additional needs receive the highest quality education/ support and opportunities to achieve their goals. Working closely with curriculum and support teams you will drive excellence, development and growth in SEND discrete foundation programmes and support for learners on mainstream provision. You will ensure that support for learners with identified needs leads to success for individual students, either in terms of development of independence, life skills, qualifications, progression or job outcomes. You will provide expertise in managing and delivery in accordance with the SEND code of practice and will lead in ensuring that statutory responsibilities for SEND students in particular those with EHCPs and high needs are met

As an inspirational leader, you should have a strong track record in the management and development of staff and forging teams with a shared vision. You should have an absolute commitment to student success along with an ability to build and embed strong links with external stakeholders.

Salary: 65,000 Circa per annum

Closing date: Wednesday, 03rd September 2025

Interview Date: To be confirmed

JOB DESCRIPTION

Post: Director of SEND and Inclusive Learning

(Permanent, Full time)

Reporting to:

Assistant Principal - Study Programmes

Job Summary

:

Providing leadership to the designated areas ensuring that all students with additional needs receive the highest quality education/ support and opportunities to thrive. Working closely with curriculum and support teams you will drive excellence and growth in SEND discrete foundation programmes and support for learners on mainstream provision. You will ensure that support for learners with identified needs leads to success for individual students either in terms of development of independence, life skills, qualifications, progression or job outcomes. You will provide expertise in managing and delivery in accordance with the SEND code of practice and will lead in ensuring that statutory responsibilities for SEND students in particular those with EHCPs and high needs are met.

DIRECT REPORTS:

Learning Support Manager

Course Co-Ordinator discrete foundation learning and teachers

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

To ensure a joint understanding of purpose and communicate this to staff and students inspiring them to work towards achieving best outcomes. Lead the development and growth of post 16 discrete foundation curriculum pathways for SEND learners ensuring the curriculum meets the needs of individual learners and is personalised to allow them to achieve ambitious outcomes based on preparation for employment and to live healthy independent adult lives. Lead a team in the delivery of high-quality learning support for SEND learners across mainstream delivery supporting high levels of achievement and progression. Working with others, to ensure effective marketing, admissions and enrolment procedures, ensuring that learners are fully informed and that processes are transparent and coherent for SEND learners in line with statutory requirements. To ensure that effective processes are in place to support exam access needs Ensure that reviews for EHCP students are co-ordinated and carried out in accordance with the code of practice, that the EHCP consultation process is actioned and statutory deadlines are met To ensure effective liaison with academic staff regarding students with learning needs on mainstream provision both prior to enrolment and on programme To manage students with EHCPs, including administration application, enrolment, provision of support and budgetary needs To ensure that funding and audit requirements for the GLA/ESFA and local authorities are met To ensure effective, timely liaison with local authorities, partner schools and parents and other external agencies as required To lead and represent the College to external stakeholders regarding SEND/EHCP/HNF learners e.g. Ofsted, local authorities To ensure that required assistive technology and resources are in place and that learners are supported where required by appropriate therapies To demonstrate leadership and management for all the curriculum and qualification routes in the area To lead and manage the designated staff within the area, setting aspirational targets for each one linked to their performance. To lead and manage the designated staff within the area, setting aspirational targets for each one linked to their performance. To develop staff using information gained from a range of sources such as lesson observations, walk-throughs, assessment checks, regular line management meetings, individual results, student feedback and attendance. To work collaboratively with other leaders to raise student achievement and wider outcomes and improve the learning experience for all students. To be responsible for the implementation of strategies and systems that improve attendance, punctuality, retention and behaviour. To ensure that teaching, learning and assessment in the area are of a high standard and innovative and that staff CPD is well planned to ensure both pedagogic and subject knowledge upskilling relevant to the needs of the area To ensure strategies are in place to maintain high and improving achievement rates and positive outcomes within the area To take full responsibility for all aspects of Quality & Standards in the area and develop strategies to enhance academic and vocational standards To be responsible for the Quality Cycle, Self-Assessment and Quality improvement planning and reporting for the area. Ensure that performance KPIs are well understood and monitored within the area regularly and with managers and coordinators, working to bring about sustained improvement in teaching and learning and outcomes for students. Take charge of curriculum support and intervention strategies for underperforming areas of curriculum. Research and develop new programmes so that they continue to meet the needs of the community, including forging and maintaining links with employers as well as relevant local, regional and national organisations and stakeholders To lead on discipline across the area, making final decisions regarding suspension and withdrawal of students in line with policies and to ensure oversight of any disciplinary processes for SEND/EHCP learners in mainstream provision Teach classes when needed as cover. Ensure a staffing cover Rota is in place and that long- and short-term cover needs are met for the designated areas To play a full role in business planning and strategic planning To take part in planning for the creative and innovative use of space to best meet the vision and strategy of the faculty in liaison with the Principal and Deputy Principal To be an ambassador for the College and act to enhance its reputation To take responsibility for health and safety, safeguarding, equality and diversity and data protection within the scope of the post
The postholder may be required to carry out any other duties consistent with the grade of the post, at any site on which the College may operate.

This job description is current at the date shown below. In consultation with the postholder, it is liable to variation by management within a reasonable timescale to reflect or anticipate changes in or to the job.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE

:

Director of SEND and inclusive learning

(Permanent, Full time)

Criterion

Essential/ Desirable

Method of assessment

Qualification

First degree or equivalent - Essential - Application Form

Masters/higher degree - Desirable - Application Form

Evidence of recent and progressive career development and appropriate professional development in the area of SEN - Essential - Application Form/ Interview

A recognised full teaching qualification - Essential - Application Form

SEN Qualification - Essential - Application Form

Knowledge and experience

Sound knowledge of government and local initiatives relating to SEND and how these translate into practice - Essential - Application Form / Supporting Statement

Good working knowledge of the SEND code of practice - Essential - Application Form / Supporting Statement

A deep understanding of funding methodology in learning support and SEND - Essential - Supporting Statement / Interview

Direct experience of successful discrete SEN classroom teaching and learning support delivery in a further education setting - Essential - Application form /supporting statement

Knowledge of funding rules ESFA and GLA and audit requirements and of ensuring that programmes are designed and delivered to meet these - Essential - Supporting Statement / Interview

Sound knowledge of qualification and assessment frameworks both academic and vocational for SEND learners - Essential - Application form /supporting statement /Interview

Experience of improving or sustaining high levels of achievement and student satisfaction and outcomes for SEND learners - Essential - Application Form/ Supporting Statement / Interview

Knowledge and experience of a range of SEND teaching and inclusive learning strategies including the use of digital and assistive technology - Essential - Application Form/ Supporting Statement / Interview

A strong knowledge of equality and diversity and how it relates to the provision of education and training for SEND learners - Essential - Application form /supporting statement/Interview

Experience of effective and significant line management in the area of SEND and of developing staff appropriately - Essential - Application form /supporting statement/Interview

Experience of devising new and innovative curriculum delivery models and pathways - Essential - Application form /supporting statement/Interview

Experience of successfully growing and developing SEND discrete provision - Essential - Application form /supporting statement /Interview

Experience of meeting and effectively communicating with partners and other stakeholders including parents, schools, employers, local authorities and other external agencies - Essential - Application form /supporting statement /Interview

Experience of successfully guiding Send/ inclusive learning teams through Ofsted - Essential - Application form /supporting statement /Interview

Skills and abilities

The ability to turn strategic vision into effective highly performing operations in the area of SEND - Essential - Presentation

The ability to motivate and influence others to support improvement - Essential - Application form /supporting statement /Interview

The ability to set and achieve challenging performance targets and effectively manage under-performance - Essential - Application form /supporting statement /Interview

The ability to ensure that provision is efficient by effective control of all resources and drivers of financial effectiveness - Essential - Supporting Statement / Interview / Selection task

The ability to understand and analyse data from several sources and a forensic attention to detail, leading to coherent action - Essential - Interview / Selection Task

The ability to communicate information accurately and effectively both in writing and verbally to a range of audiences - Essential - Application form /supporting statement /Selection task/ presentation /Interview

The ability to be creative and innovative when faced with problems and challenges - Essential - Application Form / Supporting Statement / Interview

Ability to work effectively and liaise with others at all levels both internally and externally - Essential - Interview

Ability to juggle competing priorities whilst still meeting deadlines and provide information as requested in a timely manner - Essential - Interview

Other

A passion for SEND further education and the opportunities in can bring in terms of participation and widening access and enhancing life and progression opportunities - Essential - Application form /supporting statement

Willingness to work flexibly in terms of hours and locations effectively demonstrating enthusiasm and energy - Essential - Application form / Supporting Statement

Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the health, safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults - Essential - Application Form / Supporting Statement / Interview

Thank you for your interest!

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 65,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person