Head of Inclusive Learning (High Needs)

About the Role

Luminate Education Group are recruiting for a Head of Inclusive Learning (High Needs).

The post holder will lead in the implementation of the SEN Code of Practice in relation to EHCP and high needs provision and in ensuring the college meets its legal and statutory requirements. They will lead all aspects of delivery in relation to the central High Needs function, ensuring the department is outward-looking and collaborative in its approach to working with cross-college teams. 

As a leader of High Needs across Luminate FE Colleges they will drive and embed practices that deliver an outstanding experience for High Needs learners, and by extension those with SEND and/or additional vulnerabilities or disadvantages, ensuring that all learners and apprentices have a quality learning experience with outcomes comparable to their peers.

What You Will Do

This post has a dual role encompassing leadership and management of the central High Needs department, and through a matrix management approach, supporting the leadership of the high needs agenda across Luminate FE colleges. 

Specific Role Responsibilities:

• Develop, deliver and maintain an outstanding service and provision within the High Needs department, prioritising the student experience and delivering positive outcomes and transitions for students.
• Support Campus Principals, Heads of Department, College Managers and other staff to fully embed the SEND agenda, specifically the high needs landscape, in order to provide an outstanding, inclusive, and aspirational experience for students and staff.  
• Take responsibility for monitoring High Needs funding and rigorous EHCP compliance, ensuring all relevant funding is correctly claimed and statutory obligations are met by curriculum areas.
• Develop strategic pathways (such as supported internships and preparation for adulthood) and act as the group-wide expert providing statutory advice to leaders and external stakeholders.
• Lead quality monitoring, data tracking, and Ofsted readiness specifically for High Needs provision, producing detailed reports to advise leaders on continuous improvement.

About You

We are looking for someone who has:

• Previous experience of working positively with young people and adults.
• Thorough and up to date knowledge of Government policy in relation to SEND and education and skills, including its funding and curriculum / qualification reform.
• Expertise, knowledge and understanding of the Sector
• Proven experience managing staff in an educational setting 
• Experience of successful administration and management of financial budgets.

Benefits

The group offers a range of excellent benefits, including:

Annual leave: 
Curriculum and Management: 44 days plus bank holidays
Curriculum support and business support: 39 days plus bank holidays

Pension schemes with generous employer contributions:
Teachers’ Pension Scheme
Local Government Pension Scheme
People’s Pension Scheme

CPD opportunities:
Annual staff conference plus 2 additional staff development days.
Qualifications including PGCE, Apprenticeships, Leadership and Management courses.

Employee wellbeing initiatives: Family Friendly Policies, discounted onsite spa (Printworks) and gym (Park Lane).

Travel and commuting: Discounted travel available through Metro card, Northern Rail, First Bus, Arriva Bus and Cycle to work schemes.

Flexible and hybrid working opportunities: Please speak to the recruiting manager regarding flexible opportunities as these differ between roles.

About Us

Luminate Education Group is a collective of education providers based in Yorkshire with one clear purpose: to make a positive difference to people’s lives through genuinely transformative education and training.

We offer a wide range of job vacancies across our business support functions - Finance, Human Resources, ITSS, Marketing, Communications, Executive Support, Estates and Food Services. Our large size and diverse range of member organisations means there are always exciting opportunities to progress.

As an education provider, we are committed to lifelong learning and investing in our workforce, and you’ll have access to a broad variety of training and professional development designed to help you continually develop and grow.

Luminate Education Group consists of; Harrogate College, Keighley College, Leeds City College, Leeds Sixth Form College, Pudsey Sixth Form College, Leeds Conservatoire and University Centre Leeds.

SAFEGUARDING

At Luminate Education Group we are committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all our students. We expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful applicants will be required to complete mandatory pre-employment checks which include an enhanced DBS check, online checks and must have two satisfactory references. Please be aware that it is a criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in recruitment is key to our Group’s values. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that embraces equality, diversity and inclusion in all its forms, where every candidate is treated with fairness, respect, and equity. 

Our recruitment processes are designed to ensure equal opportunities, remove bias, and promote a diverse talent pool. To find out more about what our commitment to EDI means to us please Click here to learn more about our EDI objectives.

RECRUITMENT AGENCIES

We do not accept unsolicited CVs and applications from agencies and will not be liable for any fee in connection with a candidate that has been submitted speculatively through any agency that has not been expressly instructed for a particular vacancy as part of our Preferred Supplier List.

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