Head of Service Specific Learning Difficulties

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 64,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the UK is seeking a Head of Service for Specific Learning Difficulties to lead initiatives aimed at improving educational outcomes for children with SEND. The ideal candidate will have a strong leadership background in education and a commitment to inclusive practices. This role offers a salary of £64,691 - £69,596 per annum with flexible and hybrid working options.

Benefits

Up to 29 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Travel and health benefits

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Proven track record of successful leadership in an education setting.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of current practices for children with SPLD.
• Ability to implement bespoke pupil strategies that improve outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team supporting schools in reviewing practices for Specific Learning Difficulties.
• Oversee operational and strategic service delivery for students.
• Develop partnerships with school leaders to create an inclusive culture.

Skills

Leadership experience

Commitment to inclusive practices

Understanding of statutory policy

Knowledge of Specific Learning Difficulties

Education

Additional qualification in Specific Learning Difficulties

Job description

Overview

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Job Description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House, Russell Road, Ipswich IP1 2BX - Hybrid, community-based working, various locations across the county
• Salary: £64,691 - £69,596 per annum
• Hours:37 hours, flexible working options available
• Contract: Fixed term/secondment for up to 12 months

Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Suffolk County Council. We're looking for a creative and driven Head of Service Specific Learning Difficulties to help us reimagine public services for the 21st century. If you're passionate about finding new solutions and making a real difference, we want to hear from you.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

• lead a team that supports schools to consider and review their practice and policies for children with Specific Learning Difficulties
• lead the operational and strategic delivery of the service
• work closely with a range of senior colleagues across SES, Education & Learning, Children's Services and Health Partners etc
• empower and work in partnership with school leaders to be pivotal in creating an inclusive and dynamic culture across Suffolk to facilitate good outcomes for children and young people with SEND and SpLD in particular
• have day to day operational management of the service
• be accountable for the quality assurance of service delivery
• have leadership of service development in line with service, local and national priorities, trends and research.

You will need

• an additional qualification in Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia)
• a proven track record of successful leadership experience in a school or education setting
• to demonstrate a commitment to whole school approaches and bespoke pupil strategies that improve inclusive practice and positive outcomes for children and young people with SEND-SPLD
• a thorough knowledge and understanding of statutory policy and practice
• an up to date understanding of current practices and approaches for children with SPLD both at a strategic and individual level

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

The Specific Learning difficulties team are a part of Suffolk's Specialist Education Service.

In this role, you will be supported senior leaders within SES and other members of the team that have a wide range of experience and knowledge to enable you to develop your skills and understanding.

Shaping Careers and Learning

We want to champion talent and seek to continuously develop everyone's professional knowledge, potential and job satisfaction. Through accessible learning opportunities and clear career pathways we aim to identify individual strengths, diversify skill sets and enable people, from all walks of life, to build influential and impactful careers.

Empowering Everyone

We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those who are Male, Asian or have a Minority Sexual Orientation. These groups are currently underrepresented in this directorate.

For more information

Please contact Rebecca Salmon or Sally Blackman for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 263264 (Rebecca Salmon) or 01284 763233 (Sally Blackman) or emailing [e-mail] or [e-mail]

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word)
Step 2 - Click 'Apply Now' to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload asupporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.

1. How have you previously developed and implemented a professional development plan for a team? What impact did it have on service delivery?

2. Can you give an example of how you've championed co-production with families or service users? What did you learn from the experience?

3. Describe how you have used data to evaluate the effectiveness of a service or intervention. What changes did you make based on your findings?

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by [e-mail] or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 14 October 2025.

Interview date: 20 October 2025.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

About Us

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).