Director of Transformation in London

Barnet Education and Learning Service (BELS) has been very successful since its formation in September 2020 in giving quality support, monitoring and challenge to all the schools and settings in Barnet and fulfilling all of the educational statutory duties on behalf of Barnet Council. We have a very strong partnership with our schools, settings and other stakeholders and work extremely closely with our colleagues in other parts of the Council.

Barnet’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Service has made huge progress over the last ten years and received a positive Local Area SEND Ofsted Inspection in March 2022 and was selected, by the DfE, as the Lead Borough for London in the Change Programme Partnership. We are passionate about delivering good outcomes for vulnerable children and families. Our systems are efficient and effective in ensuring we meet statutory deadlines for over 95% of assessments and for quality assuring our EHCPs and the services we offer to children and young people, their families and schools. Our Educational Psychology and Specialist Inclusion Advisory services are highly valued by schools. There is a strong focus on inclusion and working in close partnership with all stakeholders to achieve the best outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

This is a unique opportunity for an aspiring and successful SEND Leader to move to a new level in a high performing authority where the strategic partnership between the council and BELS provides additional opportunities to grow services in Barnet and beyond. The post will report to the ‘Chief Executive and Director of Education and Learning’ but will liaise closely with the Director of SEND and Inclusion. You will need to be a dynamic, experienced and capable leader, able to maintain and build on our excellent quality standards and our very positive relationship with our partners in social care, health, schools, settings and further education as well as a very strong partnership with our Barnet Parent Carer Forum.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our dynamic, friendly and supportive team that are dedicated to providing a high-quality service to schools and settings. Successful candidates will be joining a creative and highly skilled team that is well-regarded and valued by schools and services across Barnet. You will benefit from a supportive senior leadership team committed to promoting the wellbeing of staff and work-life balance, ongoing training and development.

Barnet Education and Learning Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) with barred list check is required for all successful applicants. In addition, if this post is likely to come under the requirements of the Childcare (Disqualification) 2009 Regulations, the successful applicant will be required to declare.

We are committed to practising in ways that are equitable, anti-racist and culturally responsive and we welcome candidates who share this commitment. We have developed an equity and anti-racism policy which outlines our values and actions in this area including ongoing CPD and offering support to our school community. Recruitment of a diverse workforce that is representative of the community we serve is part of our ongoing commitment and is embedded in this policy and therefore, we welcome applicants who are underrepresented in our profession.