Head of Alternative Provision

Empower SEN Education; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Empower SEN Education is seeking a Head of Alternative Provision to lead and develop high-quality provision for children and young people with SEND. This full-time, on-site role is based in Wakefield or Barnsley, demanding strategic oversight, staff leadership, and strong safeguarding commitments.

You will design inclusive pathways, align with statutory guidance, monitor progress, and work with schools, local authorities, families, and multidisciplinary teams to improve outcomes and ensure

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in education, ideally in alternative provision or SEND.
• Strong knowledge of SEND legislation and guidance relevant to provision.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement with schools, authorities, families and agencies.
• Experience in strategic planning, curriculum design and quality assurance for diverse learners.

Responsibilities

• Strategic planning and day-to-day line management of staff.
• Oversight of curriculum and interventions to meet diverse SEND needs.
• Quality assurance and continuous service delivery improvement.
• Contribute to training and coaching for education professionals to strengthen inclusive practice.

Skills

Leadership

SEND knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Curriculum design

Quality assurance

Staff coaching

Safeguarding

Strategic planning

Education

Teaching qualification

Leadership qualification

Job description

Company Description

Empower SEN Education is an inclusive education specialist that supports schools and education professionals to strengthen provision for children and young people with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Led by experienced headteachers with over 50 years of combined expertise, the organization combines practical school leadership experience with specialist SEND knowledge.

Empower SEN Education focuses on helping educational settings develop inclusive, effective, and sustainable approaches that improve outcomes for learners. The team provides insight, guidance, and tailored support so that every learner has the opportunity to thrive in a nurturing environment.

To learn more, visit www.empowerseneducation.com.

Role Description

The Head of Alternative Provision is a full-time, on-site role based in Wakefield or Barnsley, responsible for leading and overseeing alternative provision services for children and young people with SEND.

This role involves designing and implementing high-quality alternative education pathways, ensuring they align with individual needs, statutory requirements, and best practice in inclusion.

The Head of Alternative Provision will work closely with schools, local authorities, families, and multidisciplinary teams to coordinate provision, monitor progress, and ensure safeguarding and wellbeing are central to all activities.

Day-to-day responsibilities include strategic planning, line management of staff, oversight of curriculum and interventions, quality assurance, and continuous improvement of service delivery.

The role also includes contributing to training, coaching, and guidance for education professionals to strengthen inclusive practice and outcomes across partner settings.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in education, ideally within alternative provision, SEND, or inclusion-focused roles.
• Strong knowledge of SEND legislation, statutory guidance, and best practice in alternative provision and inclusive education.
• Excellent skills in stakeholder engagement, including working collaboratively with schools, local authorities, families, and external agencies.
• Demonstrated ability in strategic planning, curriculum design, and quality assurance for diverse learners.
• Highly developed communication, coaching, and mentoring skills to support and develop staff and education professionals.
• Effective organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and respond flexibly to changing needs.
• Experience of safeguarding practice and promoting the wellbeing and safety of children and young people.
• Relevant teaching qualification and/or leadership qualification (e.g., QTS, NPQ) is highly desirable.
• Experience working in or with alternative provision settings, specialist schools, or mainstream schools with significant SEND cohorts is an advantage.