Assistant Director, Education Strategy, Access & Inclusion – AR

Contract London Borough of Lambeth6 Brixton Hill, London, Lambeth, SW2 1RW
, United Kingdom Posted 2 days agoJob Details Interim Assistant Director, Education Strategy, Access & Inclusion

Location:

Lambeth Directorate:
Education & Learning Reporting to:
Director of Education & Learning

Contract:

Interim Start: ASAPGrade: SMG 2

Role Overview Lambeth Council is seeking an experienced Interim Assistant Director, Education Strategy, Access & Inclusion to provide senior strategic and operational leadership across a broad range of education services.

The postholder will be a key member of the senior management team within Education & Learning and Children’s Services, with responsibility for ensuring high-quality education provision, sufficient school places and effective access and inclusion for children and young people across the borough.

The role will have strategic oversight of SEND, Educational Psychology, Virtual School, inclusion and outreach services, school admissions, vulnerable pupil services and pupil place planning.

Key Responsibilities Provide strategic leadership across Education Strategy, Access and Inclusion services.

Oversee school place planning, education sufficiency and quality of education provision across the borough.

Lead and monitor SEND, Educational Psychology, Virtual School, inclusion, outreach and vulnerable pupil services.

Ensure school admissions, Fair Access Protocols and services for excluded pupils are managed effectively.

Develop and implement strategies that improve outcomes for children and young people, particularly those who are vulnerable or have SEND.Lead service improvement, performance management and quality assurance across the portfolio.

Work closely with schools, Multi-Academy Trusts, health, social care, voluntary organisations and other partners to deliver joined-up services.

Provide professional advice to elected Members and prepare reports, briefings and recommendations for committees.

Lead preparations for and responses to Ofsted, CQC and other external inspections, including improvement plans and follow-up actions.

Manage service budgets effectively, ensuring value for money, financial control and delivery of savings where required.

Provide visible leadership to senior managers and professionally qualified staff, supporting workforce development, performance and organisational change.

Use data, performance information and service intelligence to identify risks, improve outcomes and inform strategic decisions.

Ensure safeguarding, equalities, data protection and other statutory requirements are embedded across services.

Drive a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, collaboration and high-quality service delivery.

Essential Experience The successful candidate will have:

Significant senior leadership experience within education, children’s services, a local authority, school/education authority or large Multi-Academy Trust.

Strong knowledge of the statutory and legislative framework surrounding SEND, education provision, school admissions and vulnerable children.

Proven experience leading and improving complex education services.

Significant experience of managing senior/professionally qualified teams.

Strong understanding of SEND and inclusion, with the ability to lead services strategically.

Experience of working with schools and senior education stakeholders.

Experience of performance management, quality assurance and service improvement.

Experience of Ofsted or other external inspection and improvement activity.

Strong budget and resource management experience.

Excellent partnership working skills across education, health, social care and voluntary sector organisations.

Experience of translating strategic priorities into practical operational delivery.

Strong political awareness and experience of advising senior leaders and/or elected Members.

Degree-level education or equivalent, with PGCE or equivalent desirable.

Key Competencies The successful candidate will be:

Strategic:
Able to develop clear education strategies and translate them into measurable outcomes.

People-focused:
Able to engage, develop and hold senior teams accountable.

Collaborative:
Builds strong…