Interim Assistant Director, Education Strategy, Access and Inclusion (SMG2) - Interims in London

Lead strategic education services and improve outcomes for children and young people. This is a significant leadership opportunity to shape education strategy, inclusion and access, ensuring children and young people receive high-quality education and the right support at the right time. As part of the senior management team, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across a broad portfolio including pupil place planning, education sufficiency, school admissions, SEND, Educational Psychology, Virtual School, inclusion, outreach and services for vulnerable pupils.

About the role

You will provide strategic leadership for education strategy and provision, ensuring that sufficient, high-quality education is available and that children and young people can access appropriate support. Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the strategic development of education provision, sufficiency, school access and admissions.
• Providing leadership of SEND, Educational Psychology, inclusion, outreach and other services supporting vulnerable pupils.
• Overseeing pupil place planning and working closely with schools and partners to ensure effective education provision.
• Leading significant aspects of school policy and performance and maintaining strong relationships with schools.
• Ensuring effective arrangements for excluded pupils, Fair Access Protocols and Panels.
• Driving service improvement and cultural change, promoting excellent multi-agency working focused around the child.
• Developing strong partnerships with schools, health, colleges, voluntary organisations, other councils and wider agencies.
• Leading performance management, quality assurance and continuous improvement across the service.
• Providing professional expertise and advice to elected Members and contributing to committee reports and briefings.
• Ensuring effective financial management, commissioning, value for money and delivery of savings.
• Leading preparation for Ofsted, CQC and other regulatory activity and ensuring effective action plans are delivered.
• Maintaining a strong focus on safeguarding, equality, participation and the experiences of children, young people and families.

About you

We are looking for a confident, strategic and collaborative leader with substantial senior experience in education, ideally within a school, local authority or equivalent environment such as a large Multi-Academy Trust. You will bring:

• Detailed knowledge of the legislation, statutory requirements and policy framework underpinning education provision, school place sufficiency, admissions, SEND and related services.
• A strong understanding of equalities and equitable delivery of Children’s Services.
• Proven experience of managing professionally qualified staff at senior level.
• A successful track record of translating strategy and policy into effective operational delivery.
• Strong performance management, data analysis and service improvement skills.
• Experience of managing budgets, resources and competing priorities.
• The ability to build influential partnerships and work collaboratively across organisational boundaries.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage staff, schools, partners, Members and families.
• A clear commitment to inclusion, equality and improving outcomes for children and young people.
• The resilience, flexibility and pace required to lead complex services in a changing environment.

You will be a visible and values-led leader who develops people, challenges ineffective practice, encourages innovation and creates a culture in which managers and staff are empowered to deliver excellent services.

Leadership expectations

We are looking for a leader who demonstrates four key behaviours:

• Focuses on People - develops and supports staff, values professional expertise, builds positive relationships and ensures equality and participation inform decisions.
• Takes Ownership - sets a clear vision, uses data to understand performance and risk, takes decisive action and creates accountability for delivery.
• Works Collaboratively - builds strong partnerships, listens to different perspectives, works across organisational boundaries and remains connected to frontline practice.
• Communicates Effectively - articulates a clear vision, listens to feedback, sets expectations, engages staff and celebrates success.
• Focuses on Results - connects strategic priorities to measurable outcomes, manages resources effectively, addresses risk and ensures performance expectations are achieved.

Qualifications

You will be educated to degree level or above, with a PGCE or equivalent qualification.

Why apply?

This is an opportunity to play a central role in shaping education strategy, inclusion and access, influencing services that directly affect children, young people and families.