Head of Resource Base for Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)

Role Overview: The Head of Resource Base will provide strategic and operational leadership of the provision, ensuring:

• Full compliance with the SEND Code of Practice, DfE guidance on resource bases and statutory EHCP requirements.
• High-quality, evidence-informed teaching across informal, semi-formal and formal pathways.
• Precise implementation of Section F provision within EHCPs.
• Robust assess-plan-do-review cycles and outcome-focused SEND Support Plans.
• Effective leadership, deployment and development of specialist staff.
• Rigorous monitoring of pupil progress and impact of interventions.
• Strong, professional engagement with families and multi-agency partners.

Postholder Duties:

• Fulfil the statutory responsibilities of SENCo for the Resource Base.
• Deputise for the current SENCo/DHT as required.
• Lead annual reviews and transition processes for resource base pupils.
• Provide formal reports to governors where required.
• Lead admissions to the Resource Base in line with statutory processes in conjunction with the SENCo/DHT and Headteacher.
• Contribute to borough-wide SEND strategy and local authority development work, where appropriate.
• Promote and disseminate evidence-informed practice across the school.

Working Environment: Our provision operates across three classrooms with clearly defined informal, semi-formal and formal pathways. Pupils move fluidly between pathways according to individual learning profiles and readiness. Integrated SaLT and OT provision is embedded within teaching, ensuring therapeutic approaches inform daily practice.

Opportunities: The opportunity to lead and further develop an established specialist provision, professional autonomy within a supportive and ambitious leadership culture, and the chance to make a lasting difference to children with complex communication and social needs.

We strongly encourage prospective candidates to visit the school to see the provision in action.

Position Summary: Are you an experienced SEND leader ready to shape and lead a high-quality specialist provision within an ambitious, inclusive mainstream school? Riversdale Primary School is seeking an exceptional practitioner to lead our Resource Base for pupils with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC). This is a senior leadership role with significant strategic responsibility, including membership of the Senior Leadership Team and fulfilment of the statutory SENCo role for the Resource Base in the first instance. This is not solely a classroom-based post. It is a leadership position requiring strong strategic thinking, statutory knowledge and the ability to secure consistently excellent provision and outcomes.

Essential Criteria:

• Has substantial experience teaching pupils with ASC and SLCN.
• Demonstrates deep understanding of the SEND Code of Practice, EHCP processes and DfE guidance on resource bases.
• Has experience of leading annual reviews and writing high-quality statutory reports.
• Can design ambitious, personalised curricula and secure measurable outcomes.
• Is confident leading and developing a specialist team.
• Has experience advising colleagues on inclusive practice and reasonable adjustments.
• Is able to analyse data and use it strategically to improve provision.
• Has experience of working effectively with families and multi-agency professionals.
• Is willing to complete (or already holds) the National Award for SEN Coordination.
• Experience of working in a resource base or specialist setting, delivering autism-specific training and leading whole-school SEND development would be advantageous.

You will be organised, resilient and intellectually rigorous, with high expectations and a clear moral purpose.

People & Culture: A dynamic and skilled Senior Leadership Team, passionate and dedicated teaching and support staff, supportive governors and engaged families, strong Local Authority partnerships.

School Overview: Riversdale Primary School is a nurturing, ambitious and values-led school. We are proud to hold Gold: Rights Respecting School (UNICEF) status and to celebrate our rich multicultural diversity. Our children are happy, exceptionally well behaved, eager to learn and supportive of one another. Riversdale Primary School holds Flagship School status with the Inclusion Quality Mark, reflecting our whole-school commitment to inclusive practice. Our Resource Base sits at the heart of this commitment and plays a key strategic role in shaping inclusive provision.