Job Description

Job profile

===============




The job requirements are detailed below. Essential qualifications, skills and experience are listed in the s/Person Specification which can be found under the attachments section below.

Job details

---------------

Job reference

REQ001631

Date posted

12/06/2025

Apply by

04/07/2025

Salary

78,821- 82,563 (82,653-86,577)

Contractual hours

37

Basis

Full Time

Job category/type

Management

Head of Inclusion Services

------------------------------

Job description

Mae'r ddogfen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg / This document is also available in Welsh.

Head of Inclusion Services.



Soulbury Scale Point 29-32 (plus 3 SPAs) - 78,821- 82,563 (82,653-86,577)



This critical role sits within the Education and Inclusion Services Directorate which provides high quality support services to its 111 schools, including 52 learning support class provisions, 4 special schools and 2 pupil referral units.



As a member of the Education Directorate's supportive and aspirational senior management team, you will be instrumental in delivering effective strategic approaches to meeting the diverse needs of our learners, schools and communities.



The Access and Inclusion Service has a workforce of 178 staff, comprising of specialist and skilled staff focused on delivering on the ALN Act (2018) requirements and ensuring that ALN provision across the system is effective. There is a strong commitment to supporting schools and clusters to develop highly effective whole school approaches and inclusive practices, and additional learning provision that has a positive impact on learner outcomes and engagement in education. The Service ensures that ALN provision is kept under close review to ensure sufficiency in provision. A new 42M special school is planned to open in September 2026 and four new learning support class provisions will open in September 2025. There are also significant additional capital investment projects that are in progress or planned for our specialist provisions.



Your strategic leadership will focus on ensuring that the Directorate is well placed to respond effectively to current and future challenges, reshaping services to meet evolving needs and the delivery of high performing services. During the Directorate's successful Estyn inspection in 2023, it was considered that 'Leaders in Rhondda Cynon Taf education services provide clear and purposeful leadership' and that there was a strong commitment to ensuring that 'children and young people achieve their very best'. Estyn deemed support for ALN to be 'strong' during the 2023 inspection, and we are now seeking an inspirational and creative leader to take the service to the next level and contribute to strategic developments across the Education Directorate.



As the strategic lead for ALN, a proven track record in delivering high quality services and effective working with schools and partners will be key. If you are a creative strategic and solution focused thinker, committed to continuous improvement and forging strong relationships we would love to hear from you. Should have the required essential skills, knowledge and experiences and wish to be part of a supportive and close knit team, please submit your application.



For further information, please contact Gaynor Davies, Director of Education and Inclusion Services at Gaynor.Davies@rctcbc.gov.uk



Protecting children and vulnerable adults is a core responsibility of all staff appointed to the Council.

In addition to this safeguarding responsibility, the successful applicant for this role will also be subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.

The Council values diversity in its workforce. We are committed to ensuring that no unlawful discrimination occurs in the recruitment and selection process on the grounds of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, transgender, including those with non-binary identities, religion or belief or pregnancy and maternity. We offer a number of staff networks for employees including the Allies Network, a Disability and Carers Network and Perthyn our LGBTQ+ Network.



An application submitted for this post in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.

As part of the Council's longer term objectives in relation to the Welsh language and its Workforce Planning Strategy, it is committed to a guaranteed interview scheme for Welsh-speakers of Level 3 and above. If you meet the essential criteria as identified in the person specification for the job and are a Welsh-speaker of Level 3 and above, you will be invited to interview if you choose to participate in the scheme.

In support of the Council's voluntary pledge to support the Armed Forces, the recruiter must always be prepared to ensure that applicants who have identified themselves as members of the Armed Forces including Service Leavers, Veterans or Reservists and who meet the essential criteria of the person specification, are offered an interview.