At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and stabilise a specialist SEMH provision, ensuring safety and effective behaviour management.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on supporting children with complex needs.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, flexible onsite options, and impactful leadership experience.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while enhancing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Headteacher or Deputy Head in high-needs settings.
- Other info: Immediate start available; strong focus on safeguarding and compliance.
Interim SEMH Advisory Head
Location: South East
Contract: Interim 6 month
Day Rate: £500-£550 depending on experience (Inside IR35)
Onsite required – full or part time possibility
Interviews W/c 9th
We are seeking an experienced and credible senior education leader to join a specialist primary SEMH provision as an Interim SEMH Advisory Head to support the current Headteacher and leadership team. This is an influential leadership role requiring immediate stabilisation, strong safeguarding oversight, and understanding to support the children needing this provision ASAP.
This opportunity requires an established Headteacher or Deputy Head with deep expertise in SEMH and complex behavioural needs, capable of operating confidently at whole‑school level and making an immediate impact.
About the Interim SEMH Advisory Head role:- Provide strategic and operational leadership as the most senior leader on site, ensuring the safety, stability and viability of the provision.
- Lead urgent improvements to safeguarding practice, including addressing environmental risks linked to the building and wider site.
- Oversee behaviour regulation and escalation processes, ensuring consistent, trauma‑informed, relational approaches across all staff.
- Address high‑risk behaviours, implementing robust systems to reduce safeguarding risk and improve staff confidence.
- Strengthen governance, compliance and risk management across safeguarding, SEND, behaviour and operational systems.
- Provide visible, hands‑on leadership to staff, modelling best practice and reinforcing professional boundaries and expectations.
- Work closely with the Trust/LA, external partners and specialist services to drive rapid improvement and ensure statutory compliance.
- Proven experience operating at Headteacher or Deputy Head level within specialist or high‑needs settings.
- Strong background in SEMH, with experience of autism as it presents within SEMH or complex behavioural contexts.
- Demonstrable experience stabilising or improving schools facing significant safeguarding, behavioural or systemic challenges.
- A track record of leading high‑risk environments with experience managing complex staffing, safeguarding and SEND‑related risk.
- Ability to rapidly assess failing systems and implement robust, sustainable structures.
- Qualified Teacher Status.
The provision requires an experienced, trusted senior leader who is comfortable and confident to support and can hit the ground running this month.
If this Interim SEMH Advisory Head role sounds like a good fit for you or someone you know, please send your CV to Athena – A.OConnor@baltimoreconsultingltd.com or call 0117 313 7110.
Our clients are committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. Recruiting decisions are based on experience and skills, and reasonable adjustments will be supported throughout the application and hiring process.
SEMH Advisory Head employer: Baltimore Consulting
Contact Detail:
Baltimore Consulting Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SEMH Advisory Head
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the education sector, especially those who have experience with SEMH. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about opportunities that might not even be advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the specific challenges faced by SEMH provisions and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. We want you to walk in feeling confident and ready to impress!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style! During interviews, share examples of how you've successfully led teams through challenging situations. We need to see that you can make an immediate impact and stabilise environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate leaders like you to join our network.
We think you need these skills to ace SEMH Advisory Head
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the SEMH Advisory Head role. Highlight your experience in safeguarding and managing complex behavioural needs, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this interim role. Share specific examples of how you've stabilised schools or improved safeguarding practices in the past. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, let us know about your leadership style and how you approach team dynamics. We're looking for someone who can provide visible, hands-on leadership, so share any relevant experiences that demonstrate this. We want to see your personality come through!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the process smoother for everyone involved. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Baltimore Consulting
✨Know Your SEMH Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. Be prepared to discuss specific strategies you've implemented in the past to support children with complex behavioural needs. This will show your depth of understanding and experience in the field.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Come ready to share examples of your leadership style and how you've successfully stabilised or improved schools facing challenges. Highlight any specific instances where you've made a significant impact on safeguarding practices or behaviour regulation.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Skills
This role requires working closely with various stakeholders, so be prepared to discuss how you've effectively collaborated with Trusts, Local Authorities, and external partners in the past. Share examples that illustrate your ability to drive rapid improvement through teamwork.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations related to safeguarding or high-risk behaviours. Think through potential scenarios and your approach to addressing them, ensuring you emphasise trauma-informed and relational methods.