Head of SEN & Wellbeing

Job Title: Head of SEN & Wellbeing

Location: Bridgwater, Somerset (Hybrid - 2+ days per week in the office)
Salary: £45,500
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced and passionate Head of SEN & Wellbeing to lead the organisation's Special Educational Needs (SEN), learner support, wellbeing, and safeguarding functions.

The Head of SEN & Wellbeing is a senior leadership role with responsibility for overseeing inclusive learning provision for young people and adults with additional needs, ensuring that all learners receive high-quality support that enables them to thrive, achieve their goals, and participate fully in learning opportunities.

The successful Head of SEN & Wellbeing will play a strategic role across the organisation, leading learning support services, managing high-needs funding arrangements, and working closely with local authorities, external agencies, and partner organisations to ensure learners receive appropriate and effective support.

The role also carries responsibility as the organisation's Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), promoting a strong safeguarding culture and ensuring the wellbeing, safety, and welfare of all learners.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for SEN, learner support, wellbeing, and safeguarding across the organisation.
• Oversee the delivery of high-quality support for learners with additional needs, ensuring inclusive practice throughout all programmes.
• Lead and manage high-needs funding processes, ensuring compliance, effective resource allocation, and positive learner outcomes.
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with local authorities, education providers, employers, and external support agencies.
• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), ensuring safeguarding policies,
• procedures, and practices are implemented effectively.
• Monitor learner wellbeing and support services, driving continuous improvement and best practice.
• Lead, develop, and support teams responsible for learner support and wellbeing services.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, funding requirements, and quality standards.
• Contribute to organisational strategy, planning, and performance management as a member of the leadership team.

Person Specification

Essential Requirements

• Significant experience in SEN, additional learning support, inclusion, wellbeing, or related educational services.
• Experience of leading teams and managing support services within an education, training, or community-based setting.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and statutory requirements.
• Experience of managing funding streams, budgets, or resources related to learner support.
• Excellent partnership-working skills and experience collaborating with external stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and learner-centred practice.

Desirable Requirements

• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) experience.
• Knowledge of high-needs funding arrangements and Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
• Relevant professional qualification in education, SEN, safeguarding, wellbeing, or leadership.
• Experience of working with local authorities and multi-agency partnerships.

Why Join Our Client?

Our client recognises that its staff are fundamental to delivering outstanding learning opportunities and support services. They are committed to creating a supportive, flexible, and inclusive working environment where employees can develop professionally and make a meaningful impact within local communities.

Benefits

• 32 days annual leave plus bank holidays (and birthday leave)
• Additional gifted leave over the Christmas period
• Up to 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities
• Employee discount scheme
• Enhanced mileage allowance for business travel
• Pension scheme
• On-site parking at selected locations
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Paul Feldman is the National Skills Agency Data Protection Officer. Your data will be stored until notice is given by you for it to be removed. Our Data Protection Policy will be forwarded to you on request. As we get a high number of applications we may be unable to give feedback to unsuccessful candidates. We will retain your details to  keep you informed of other opportunities. National Skills Agency Ltd is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy and is an Equal Opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.