Head of Inclusion

Job description

Help us shape an inclusive future for children and young people

We are looking for an exceptional, ambitious and collaborative leader to join Cheshire West and Chester Council as our Head of Inclusion.

This is a significant senior leadership role with the opportunity to influence the lives and experiences of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across Cheshire West and Chester.

Reporting to the Director of Education and Inclusion, you will lead, manage and develop our SEND services, working across education, health and social care and alongside schools, settings, parents, carers and other partners. Your focus will be clear: ensuring that children and young people aged 0-25 with SEND receive high-quality, compliant, inclusive and effective services and have access to education opportunities that meet their needs.

The opportunity

As Head of Inclusion, you will have a broad leadership remit and a real opportunity to shape the future of SEND and inclusion across the borough.

You will lead the development and implementation of our SEND and Inclusion strategies, strengthening integrated working between education, health and social care. You will work across early years settings, schools and academies, alternative provision and post-16 settings to promote high standards and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

You will provide strategic leadership across our SEN Team, Early Engagement Intervention and Inclusion Team, Children's Education Psychology Service and Experts at Hand arrangements, ensuring that some of our most vulnerable children and young people receive the right support at the right time.

This is also a role with considerable system influence. You will build effective relationships with education providers and partners and represent the Council regionally and nationally, promoting and protecting the interests and priorities of Cheshire West and Chester. You will also advise and support elected Members and contribute alongside the Director of Education and Inclusion and Executive Director of Children's Services to wider Directorate strategy and operational leadership.

Financial leadership will be equally important. You will be responsible for managing significant service budgets, including the Dedicated Schools Grant High Needs Block, ensuring resources are controlled effectively, provide value for money and support sustainable service delivery.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an accomplished senior leader with extensive leadership experience within SEND or related Children's Services, combined with a strong track record of leading improvement and delivering change.

You will bring expert knowledge of SEND legislation, statutory guidance and local authority responsibilities, alongside experience of cross-agency partnership and system leadership. You will understand performance management, inspection preparation and quality assurance and have experience of successfully managing large and complex budgets.

Just as importantly, you will be someone who can bring people with you.

You will be an excellent communicator, negotiator and advocate, capable of building trust and credibility with children and families, staff, senior leaders, elected Members, schools, partners and stakeholders. You will be comfortable making important decisions in complex circumstances and able to operate effectively in an environment of ambiguity, pressure and public scrutiny.

We want a leader who can see what is possible: someone who develops new ideas, can explain complex issues simply, works effectively across organisational boundaries, recognises the potential in others and remains focused on achieving results.

Above all, you will share our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding and corporate parenting, and bring the ambition and drive to work with others to create excellent services for our children, young people and families.

What we can offer you

Alongside the opportunity to take on a genuinely influential leadership role, Cheshire West and Chester Council offers a range of employment benefits, including:

• Salary of up to £89,589 per annum;
• Access to learning and development opportunities;
• Flexible working arrangements designed to support work-life balance;
• 26 days' annual leave, increasing to 31 days, with the opportunity to earn additional days' leave;
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, including life cover; and
• A range of working rewards and family-friendly leave arrangements.

The post is designated as hybrid, with the postholder spending the majority of their time in Council offices or at partner sites, alongside opportunities to work from home. The role requires flexibility, including occasional evening and weekend working, participation in the Council's Emergency Duty Rota and an Enhanced DBS check including Children's/Adults Barred List. The post is politically restricted.

Come and make a difference

This is an opportunity to take a leading role in shaping an inclusive education and SEND system that works effectively for children, young people and their families.

If you are an experienced SEND or Children's Services leader who combines strategic vision with the ability to turn ambition into tangible improvement, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Sal Thirlway via [email protected]

Please note that interviews are scheduled to take place on 7 January 2027.

Join us as Head of Inclusion and help ensure that every child and young person has the opportunity, support and education they need to thrive.