Inclusion and Access to Education Manager

Data to Insight; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexi-time scheme

Flexible working

Cycle to Work Scheme

Training and development

Job summary

Darlington Borough Council is hiring an Inclusion and Access to Education Manager to lead a pivotal SEND & Inclusion Service. You will strategise attendance, alternative provision, elective home education, and exclusions while building strong partnerships with schools, health and social care to ensure vulnerable learners achieve positive outcomes.

You will lead a skilled team, champion inclusive practice, use data to spot trends, and influence system-wide improvements across the borough.

Qualifications

• Experience and inspirational leadership within education, SEND, inclusion or children's services.
• Ability to build partnerships with schools, health services and social care.
• Strong data skills to drive service improvement and outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Inclusion and Access to Education Service and drive continuous improvement.
• Champion inclusive practice across schools and settings.
• Oversee 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 partnerships with schools, health, social care and wider partners.
• Use data and performance measures to identify trends and improve outcomes.
• Lead, motivate and develop a skilled team.

Skills

Education leadership

Data driven

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Job description

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 & 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. It'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 You'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 children'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 children'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.

You'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.

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

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 [e-mail]

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 [e-mail].

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

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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.

We are an equal opportunities' 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.

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