Assistant Headteacher/DSL

This pivotal leadership role is ideal for an experienced SEN professional who thrives on impact, collaboration, and innovation. Working closely with the Headteacher, teaching teams, and our in‑house therapy services, you will lead outstanding safeguarding and SEND practice while contributing to whole‑school improvement.

You’ll balance strategic leadership with hands‑on involvement, including some PPA cover, ensuring you remain closely connected to classroom practice and pupils’ daily experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring the highest standards of pupil safety and wellbeing
• Build strong, trusting relationships with pupils and families
• Lead and oversee all EHCP processes, ensuring clarity, quality, and impact
• Manage and support smooth transitions into, within, and beyond the school
• Coach and support staff to adapt teaching for complex and diverse SEND needs
• Work collaboratively with teachers and therapists to embed a strong graduated approach
• Oversee meaningful baselining, assessment, and progress tracking
• Shape, deliver, and review the school’s SEND improvement plan
• Analyse whole‑school trends to continuously refine provision
• Champion staff development through targeted training and high‑quality CPD
• Ensure access arrangements, reasonable adjustments, and equality duties are met
• Work closely with behaviour and wellbeing teams to maintain a calm, supportive environment
• Maintain accurate, compliant SEND records across the school

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• SENCo qualification
• Experience working in specialist or inclusive settings
• Strong understanding of complex and diverse SEND profiles
• Commitment to personalised learning, teamwork, and pupil well‑being

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Strong understanding of complex and diverse SEND profiles
• A child‑centred, collaborative approach with safeguarding at the core
• Passion for personalised learning, teamwork, and pupil wellbeing

Why Join Options Autism?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first‑class mental health support services and physical health checks
• A market‑leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enabling you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support – inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.