Head of Service

Job Description

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Head of Service – Education Inclusion

Local Government

Huntingdon / Hybrid Working

£500 per day (Inside IR35)

Initial 3-Month Contract

37 Hours per Week

The Council is seeking an experienced Head of Service – Education Inclusion to provide interim leadership support within Children, Education and Families during a period of extended absence cover.

This is a senior interim opportunity for a highly experienced professional with substantial expertise across SEND, Alternative Provision (AP), Inclusion, and EHCP statutory services.

The Role

You will provide operational and strategic leadership across specialist SEND services and the EHCP Statutory Assessment Service, ensuring continuity of delivery and effective management of high-priority statutory responsibilities.

The role offers a hybrid working arrangement, with:

• 2 days per week onsite in Huntingdon
• 3 days remote working

Key Responsibilities

• Provide professional supervision and leadership to District Managers overseeing:
• Specialist Teachers
• Specialist Practitioners
• SEN Support services
• PEX prevention services
• Line management and supervision of Deputy SAT EHCP Managers
• Oversee formal complaints, Local Government Ombudsman cases, and legal challenges relating to:
• EHCP processes
• Section 19 duties
• Draft formal responses and legal instructions where required
• Support operational delivery alongside ongoing service improvement priorities
• Provide additional leadership support to substantive post holders should they return during the interim assignment

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Essential Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience within SEND / Inclusion services
• Strong understanding of EHCP statutory processes and Section 19 duties
• Experience managing complex complaints, tribunal activity, Ombudsman investigations, and legal matters
• Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams within local authority settings
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

Contract Details

• Contract Type: Agency Worker / Interim
• Duration: Initial 3 months