Inclusion and Access to Education Manager

Lead Inclusion. Improve Attendance. Change Lives.

Are you passionate about ensuring every child and young person can access education, achieve their potential and feel a sense of belonging?

This is an exciting opportunity to join Darlington Borough Council as our Inclusion and Access to Education Manager, leading services that sit at the heart of our commitment to inclusion, attendance and educational achievement.

Working within the SEND andamp; Inclusion Service, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across attendance, alternative provision, children missing education, elective home education, exclusions, fair access and support for some of our most vulnerable learners.

This is more than a management role. Itand#39;s an opportunity to influence system-wide change, work directly with school leaders and partners, and help shape an inclusive education system where every child has the chance to thrive.

What Youand#39;ll Be Doing

As Inclusion and Access to Education Manager, you will

Lead the Inclusion and Access to Education Service and drive continuous improvement.

Champion inclusive practice across schools, academies and education settings.

Oversee statutory duties relating to attendance, elective home education and children missing education.

Lead Fair Access arrangements and support schools to reduce exclusions.

Ensure effective use of alternative provision and reintegration pathways.

Develop strong partnerships with schools, health services, social care and wider partners.

Use data, intelligence and performance measures to identify trends and improve outcomes.

Lead, motivate and develop a highly skilled team committed to improving childrenand#39;s lives.

Contribute to the strategic development of SEND, inclusion and vulnerable learner services across the borough.

About You

We are looking for an experienced and inspirational leader who

Has substantial experience within education, SEND, inclusion, safeguarding or childrenand#39;s services.

Understands the challenges faced by vulnerable children and young people.

Has experience of leading teams and managing complex educational casework.

Can build effective relationships with schools, trusts and partner agencies.

Is confident in using data to drive service improvement.

Demonstrates strong communication, influencing and problem-solving skills.

Is passionate about inclusion and securing positive outcomes for children and families.

Is committed to ensuring that every child and young person, regardless of circumstance, receives the support, opportunities and education they deserve.

Why Join Darlington?

At Darlington, we are ambitious for our children and young people. We are investing in inclusive practice, strengthening partnerships and developing innovative approaches to ensure that all learners receive the support they need.

Youand#39;ll join a supportive leadership team, work with committed professionals and have the opportunity to make a real difference across the local education system.

The rewards for working at Darlington Borough Council go beyond the salary you will receive; we have numerous additional benefits such as:

32 days Annual Leave, plus Bank Holidays, with option to purchase additional Annual Leave (pro-rata for part time working)

Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme with option to make Additional Voluntary Contributions

Flexi-time scheme

Flexible working

Generous Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave schemes

Staff equality forums

Green Car Leasing Scheme

Access to a wide range of training, learning and development

Physiotherapy service

Confidential counselling service

Great wellbeing offer

Cycle to Work Scheme

Dolphin Centre Fit for Life Discounts

Local and National retailer discounts

Vivup employee benefit app and Lifestyle Savings

Arriva Employee Travel Club

For the full range of benefits we offer, please see our Why work for us internet page, which also includes our Total Reward Booklet and Employee Benefit Video.

https://www.darlington.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/why-work-for-us/

Find out further information about us and what itandrsquo;s like to work for our great team by visiting the Jobs and Careers home page.

https://www.darlington.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/

For detailed information on this role, please refer to the Role Profile and Person Specification.

General Information for Applicants

To arrange a further informal discussion and for any queries around the role profile and jobs itself please contact Joanne Littler, Head of SEND and Inclusion by email Joanne.Littler@darlington.gov.ukandnbsp; andnbsp;

If you have any further questions regarding applying for this role or the questions and required fields within the application form, please contact the HR Support team on 01325 403217 or HR@darlington.gov.uk.

If you are experiencing problems with the NE Jobs website, such as logging in, saving pages, on account queries please fill out the form within the link below.

https://www.northeastjobs.org.uk/contactus

All applicant email correspondence will come from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk and may be directed to your Junk folder depending on the settings of your email account. Please check both your email and Junk folder as all applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted.

You must ensure that anything submitted in your application is factually accurate. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications; submissions must be truthful and relevant to your own experience.

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We are an equal opportunitiesand#39; employer. We welcome applicants from all sections of the community. We aim to interview any applicant who declares a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job.

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This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and satisfactory pre-employment clearances.

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