Assistant SEND Manager

The Dean Trust is seeking to appoint a talented and hard-working Assistant SEND Manager to join our dedicated team at Ashton on Mersey School. This is a senior support role within the secondary school and plays a strategic role in contributing to whole-school planning, improvement, and development.

The post holder will work as part of the wider leadership of inclusion, supporting the school's vision and strategic priorities to ensure high-quality provision and positive outcomes for all students, particularly those with SEND and those who are Looked After (CLA). The post holder will provide leadership and line management for a team of Higher-Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs) and Teaching Assistants (TAs), ensuring that support staff are effectively deployed across departments and key stages to meet the diverse needs of students. This includes overseeing day-to-day practice, contributing to performance management, supporting professional development, and promoting consistently high standards of support and intervention.

Working closely with, and reporting directly to, the SENDCo, the post holder will play a key role in the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of SEND and CLA provision across the school. The role requires effective collaboration with curriculum leaders, pastoral teams, external agencies, and parents/carers to support inclusive practice and improve student progress, engagement, and wellbeing.

Ashton on Mersey School is in the central hub of The Dean Trust and serves the community of Sale and beyond. As part of our team you can contribute, collaborate and lead on many established areas that shape our school culture. Our school vision has been shaped by every member of our school community.

• An ambitious co-produced curriculum at Key Stages 3 and 4 leading to a full A-Level and vocational qualification offer in Key Stage 5 at our thriving sixth form.
• A reputation for securing year-on-year examination results that are consistently strong.
• Modern, high-quality facilities with the latest technology solutions accessible to all staff and pupils and with sports facilities that rank alongside some of the best in the country.
• An exceptional character and personal development programme which involves a renowned provision of extra-curricular activity with specialism in Sport and Performing Arts.
• A dedicated group of teaching and support staff that lead excellent pastoral care in an inclusive school which maintains a traditional expectation with regards to standards of behaviour.
• Direct access to the Believe Learning Institute (The Dean Trust's centre for professional learning, including leadership development), Turing NW Maths Hub and SCITT; all based on site.
• World-class opportunities and partnerships forged with national and international partners, including Manchester United Football Club, with whom we have provided an educational package for youth players for over 25 years, and Sale Sharks, with Ashton on Mersey students participating in the ACE league.

Candidate qualities, knowledge and skills:

• Has a strong commitment to supporting SEND pupils and inclusive education.
• Demonstrates high expectations and leads by example.
• Is adaptable, resilient, and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Is enthusiastic, motivated, and proactive.
• Can think creatively and inspire others.
• Has excellent organisation and time management skills.
• Communicates effectively with staff, pupils, parents, and external agencies.
• Works well both independently and as part of a team, with leadership capability.
• Shows empathy and sensitivity to individual needs.
• Has a strong understanding of child development, SEND, and education practices.
• Is confident using data and ICT to support learning and improvement.
• Has a secure knowledge of relevant policies, curriculum, and legislation.
• Is committed to continuous professional development.

We are an Equal Opportunities employer committed to ensuring inclusion, diversity and equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates including those from underrepresented groups, and/or with protected characteristics.

Benefits Conditions of Service:

• We adopt national terms and conditions for all teaching and non-teaching employees.
• Occupational Sick Pay: Generous sick pay scheme, entitlement dependent on length of service.
• Continuous Service Recognition of local government continuous service.
• Family Friendly Policies and Leave of Absence: Paid leave which supports a wide range of circumstances, including family emergencies and religious festivals.
• Health Care Cash Plan: We are excited to be part of the Simplyhealth Care Cash Plan. The Trust will fund membership for all employees to receive money back on healthcare services.
• Preferential Admission: Employees with two years at the Trust will benefit from preferential admissions arrangements for their children.
• The Believe Learning Institute: Access to high-quality professional learning and development programmes through our dedicated training centre.
• Recognition Awards: Financial awards in recognition of long serving employees.
• Employee Assistance Programme: Free and confidential counselling service available 24/7.
• High Street Benefits and Discounts: Access to a variety of shopping discounts at national online and high street retailers.
• Pension and Death in Service Benefit: Automatic enrolment into either the Teachers Pensions Scheme or the Local Government Pension Scheme for non-teaching employees.
• Annual Leave: Generous annual leave entitlement for non-teaching employees.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.

Qualifications:

• Degree or equivalent qualification (essential).
• Meet Higher Level Teaching Assistant standards or equivalent qualifications or experience (essential).

Skills Leadership:

• Effective leadership and motivational skills (essential).

Personal Attributes:

• Integrity (essential).
• Focused.

Safeguarding Information:

The Dean Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check. This post involves working with children, young people, vulnerable adults or is a position of trust. The amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) provides that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain convictions and cautions are 'protected' and are not subject to disclosure to employers, and cannot be taken into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found at the Disclosure and Barring Service website www.gov.uk/dbs. Any failure to disclose the appropriate information could result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the organisation. Please note that a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position.