We are currently seeking a highly experienced and qualified individual to join our team as Manager of the Support for Learning Service. The successful candidate will work alongside services within the Education Directorate and wider agencies, including Health and Social Services, to assist the local authority in ensuring early identification, assessment and provision for Children and Young People (CYP) with Additional Learning Needs (ALN). The post holder will embed the Additional Learning Needs Code for Wales (2021), ensuring new legal frameworks are applied in effective practice, support inclusive and effective education for all, and develop workforce training. This role has direct management responsibility for the Support for Learning Service, including the Communication and Autism Team, Sensory Team, Literacy Difficulties Team, Support for Learners with Physical and Medical needs, Speech and Language Therapy, and Occupational Therapy, commissioned through the local health board.
Responsibilities
- Provide direct line management and strategic direction for the teams within the Support for Learning Services.
- Ensure an effective and consistent professional learning offer for all schools, informed by Local Authority data, Inclusion Service data and school data.
- Coordinate and contribute to the annual Plan and Review programme across all schools, working with Inclusion Managers to analyse data and inform service delivery, and to develop a comprehensive training programme for ALNCOs, Headteachers and newly qualified professionals.
- Ensure the Local Authority fulfills its duties of keeping ALP under review, through coordination and contribution of reviews of Learning Support Centres and Special Schools with the wider Inclusion Service Team.
- Work collaboratively with wider Inclusion Managers and Education Support Officers to support schools achieve positive outcomes, including support pre‑ and post‑Estyn inspection.
- Contribute to training and workforce development across the Post 16 sector and Early Years.
- Represent the Education Directorate within regional, national and local partnership boards and steering groups, working closely with local health board managers to coordinate commissioned service delivery.
Qualifications
- Extensive management experience within Education, including line management responsibility for staff.
- Extensive experience assessing, monitoring and reviewing the progress of learners with ALN.
- Successful track record of collaborative working with social services, health and partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes for children, young people and their families.
- Significant experience managing budgets and resources.
- Experience coordinating and delivering training, and making presentations to conferences and wider audiences.
- Experience commissioning services and developing service level agreements.
- Experience of effective self‑evaluation processes to improve service delivery.
- Thorough understanding of the Additional Learning Needs Code of Practice for Wales 2021 and the Additional Learning Needs Education and Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018.
- Knowledge of regulatory inspection frameworks for schools and local authorities, e.g. Estyn, CIW, Audit Wales.
- Knowledge of school systems and structures across the primary, secondary and special sector.
- Degree plus relevant Post Graduate training and qualification such as PGCE or equivalent.
- Additional qualifications within the field of Additional Learning Needs.
Preferred Background
- Senior leaders within Education and/or Health.
- Experienced and well‑qualified ALNCOs.
- Specialist Advisory Teachers.
Salary and Benefits
Salary: £57,306.00 – £63,232.00 (plus up to 3 SPA points). Benefits include:
- Hybrid and flexible working schemes.
- 15.3% employer pension contribution.
- 25 days holiday increasing to 32 days after 5 years' service (plus 8 bank holidays).
- Discounted gym membership with Celtic Leisure.
- Cycle to work scheme with up to 40% off bikes and equipment.
- Salary sacrifice scheme for new car purchase.
- Smart Spend app discounts at local and national retailers.
