Head of therapy - sen school

We are currently supporting a highly regarded specialist independent school in the recruitment of an exceptional Head of Therapy (Senior Leadership role) to lead and further develop its established Multi-Disciplinary Therapy Team (MDT).

The school is an outstanding provision for children and young people aged 5–19 with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and associated social, emotional, sensory, communication, and mental health needs.

This is a rare and strategic leadership opportunity within a setting where therapy is not an add-on, but fully embedded across the entire school experience.

The Setting

The school operates a fully integrated therapeutic-educational model, underpinned by its ACE + Independence ethos:

• Adaptive Thinking
• Communication
• Emotional Wellbeing
• Independence

It is strongly committed to autism-informed, relational, and trauma-informed practice, with a focus on emotional safety, regulation, and developmental readiness as foundations for learning and progress.

Therapy is central to school life and is delivered collaboratively across education, family, and external professional networks.

The Role

The successful candidate will take overall leadership responsibility for the school’s Multi-Disciplinary Team and will play a key strategic role in shaping therapeutic provision across the organisation.

You will lead a highly skilled MDT comprising:

• Speech and Language Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Sensory Integration Specialists
• Clinical Psychologists
• Therapy Assistants

Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, you will ensure that therapeutic approaches are fully embedded across curriculum, pastoral systems, and whole-school practice.

Key Responsibilities

You will:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the MDT
• Drive development of integrated, evidence-informed and trauma-informed therapeutic practice
• Ensure therapy has measurable impact on pupil progress, wellbeing, communication, and independence
• Lead staff training, reflective practice, and whole-school therapeutic development
• Work in close partnership with SLT on school-wide strategy and development planning
• Foster strong collaborative relationships with families and external professionals
• Maintain high professional standards across all therapeutic disciplines

Candidate Profile

We are seeking an individual who demonstrates:

• Substantial experience in therapeutic leadership and multidisciplinary team management
• Strong understanding of Autism Spectrum Condition and associated needs
• Deep commitment to relational, trauma-informed, and neurodiversity-affirming practice
• Ability to lead with clarity, emotional intelligence, and strategic vision
• Confidence balancing both strategic leadership and operational oversight
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills across staff, families, and external agencies
• Reflective, solution-focused, and values-driven leadership approach

What’s on Offer

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a forward-thinking specialist school where therapy is fully embedded and highly valued at every level of the organisation.

• Head of Therapy salary: £57,528 – £64,750 per year
• 10 weeks’ paid holiday aligned with school term dates
• Strong CPD and leadership development opportunities
• Full integration into Senior Leadership Team decision-making
• Highly skilled, supportive and established MDT
• Opportunity to shape and influence therapeutic practice at whole-school level

Please contact Daisy on or 07458 142 783