About the Role
The Head of SEND Learning will lead the educational, pastoral and operational performance of SOC Independent School, ensuring that learners are safe, supported and challenged to achieve their potential.
This role brings together school improvement, curriculum leadership, safeguarding, SEND provision and effective management of people and resources. You will establish clear expectations, understand the quality of provision first-hand and ensure that improvement plans lead to measurable changes in learners’ experiences and outcomes.
As Designated Safeguarding Lead, you will lead the school’s safeguarding arrangements and work closely with staff, families and external agencies to protect children and young people. You will also provide senior leaders and the proprietor with clear assurance on educational performance, statutory compliance and emerging risks.
Success will depend on building a school where staff understand their responsibilities, families trust the provision and learners can access meaningful next steps in education, employment or training.
What You’ll Be Doing
Strategic Leadership & School Improvement
- Set the school’s vision and deliver an evidence-led improvement plan aligned with learner needs and SoCAI’s priorities.
- Use performance data, quality assurance and stakeholder feedback to drive improvement and report progress, risks and resource needs to senior leaders.
- Lead preparation for Ofsted inspections, local authority monitoring and external reviews.
Quality of Education & Learner Progress
- Lead an ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum with effective teaching, adaptive practice and assessment.
- Oversee quality assurance, assessment moderation and internal verification, meeting relevant awarding-body requirements.
- Monitor learner progress and achievement, ensuring timely interventions and careers guidance that support positive destinations.
Safeguarding & Learner Welfare
- Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, fulfilling statutory responsibilities and embedding a vigilant, child-centred safeguarding culture.
- Oversee referrals, risk assessments, support plans, secure records and information sharing with relevant agencies.
- Maintain effective arrangements for safer recruitment, staff concerns and allegations, online safety and child-on-child abuse.
- Develop and support Deputy DSLs, ensuring effective training, supervision, cover and escalation arrangements.
SEND, Inclusion & Personal Development
- Work with the SENCO, families and external professionals to identify needs, coordinate support and ensure EHCP provision is delivered, evidenced and reviewed.
- Embed reasonable adjustments and accessible practice, evaluating interventions and addressing discrimination and barriers to learning.
- Lead personal development and enrichment that strengthen wellbeing, independence and preparation for adulthood.
Behaviour, Attendance & School Culture
- Create a calm, respectful environment with consistent routines, supportive behaviour management and clear boundaries.
- Improve attendance and engagement through timely interventions with families and agencies, including support for learners at risk of exclusion or becoming missing from education.
- Oversee suspension, exclusion and reintegration procedures, ensuring fair decisions and responding constructively to learner and family concerns.
People Leadership & Development
- Lead and develop school teams, establishing clear responsibilities and deploying staff effectively to meet educational and safeguarding needs.
- Oversee appraisal, induction, coaching and professional development, addressing underperformance promptly and fairly.
- Work with HR on recruitment and employee relations while supporting staff wellbeing, manageable workloads and leadership development.
Operations, Finance & Compliance
- Oversee daily operations, staffing cover, timetables and supervision, working with support teams to maintain safe premises and effective services.
- Manage delegated budgets and resources, monitoring learner numbers, placement stability and capacity to ensure admissions are appropriate and sustainable.
- Maintain oversight of health and safety, emergency planning, business continuity, data protection and records management.
- Ensure compliance with the Independent School Standards and applicable requirements, maintaining current policies, risk management and clear reporting to senior leaders and the proprietor.
Partnerships & External Relationships
- Build trusted relationships with families, referring schools, local authorities, commissioners and partner agencies.
- Ensure timely, accessible communication, escalating concerns affecting learner welfare, progress or placement.
- Develop sustainable referral pathways within the school’s registration and capacity, and represent the school at external meetings and networks.
Requirements
What We’re Looking For
Essential
- A degree or equivalent-level qualification, alongside QTS or a recognised equivalent teaching qualification.
- Successful senior leadership experience in a school or comparable education setting, with a track record of improving provision and learner outcomes.
- Strong understanding of curriculum, teaching, assessment and inclusive approaches that support learner progress.
- Experience as a DSL or Deputy DSL, with sound safeguarding knowledge and a willingness to complete or update relevant training before assuming DSL responsibilities.
- Good understanding of SEND, EHCP provision and reasonable adjustments, with a commitment to removing barriers to learning.
- Experience leading and developing teams, managing performance and delivering change.
- Experience managing budgets, staffing and operational responsibilities within a regulated education setting.
- Strong communication, stakeholder-management and analytical skills, with the ability to use evidence, prioritise effectively and report clearly to senior leaders.
Desirable
- Leadership experience within an independent school, alternative provision or specialist setting.
- Knowledge of the Independent School Standards and relevant Ofsted inspection arrangements.
- Experience contributing to inspections or external reviews.
- A relevant leadership qualification, such as NPQH, or specialist development in SEND, safeguarding or trauma-informed practice.
We are looking for a leader committed to safeguarding, inclusion and the best interests of children and young people. We welcome applications from candidates with transferable school leadership experience, including those who have not previously worked in an independent school.
Benefits
- Salary £45,000 - £55,000 per annum depending on experience.
- Generous annual leave entitlement in line with school holidays
- Pension scheme.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Strong CPD and development opportunities.
- Company and social events.
- Retail discounts through Bright Exchange.
- Free onsite parking.
Advert closing date: Monday 16th November 2026