SEMH Advisory Head

Baltimore Consulting; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm is seeking an experienced Interim SEMH Advisory Head to support a specialist primary SEMH provision. Located in South East England, this position requires an individual with proven experience in leadership roles within high-needs settings. Responsibilities include overseeing safeguarding improvements, behaviour regulation, and staff support to ensure a stable and compliant provision. The role offers a competitive day rate of £500-£550 and will require onsite presence, with both full and part-time options available.

Qualifications

• Proven experience operating at Headteacher or Deputy Head level.
• Strong background in SEMH and autism in complex behavioural contexts.
• Experience managing complex staffing and safeguarding risks.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership on site.
• Lead urgent improvements to safeguarding practices.
• Oversee behaviour regulation and trauma-informed approaches.

Skills

Leadership in SEMH settings

Safeguarding oversight

Behaviour regulation

Risk management

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Job description

Overview

Interim SEMH Advisory Head

Location: South East

Contract: Interim 6 month

Day Rate: £500-£550 depending on experience (Inside IR35)

Onsite required – full or part time possibility

Interviews W/c 9th

We are seeking an experienced and credible senior education leader to join a specialist primary SEMH provision as an Interim SEHM Advisory Head to support the current Headteacher and leadership team. This is an influential leadership role requiring immediate stabilisation, strong safeguarding oversight, and understanding to support the children needing this provision ASAP.

This opportunity requires an established Headteacher or Deputy Head with deep expertise in SEMH and complex behavioural needs, capable of operating confidently at whole‑school level and making an immediate impact.

About the Interim SEMH Advisory Head role

• Provide strategic and operational leadership as the most senior leader on site, ensuring the safety, stability and viability of the provision.
• Lead urgent improvements to safeguarding practice, including addressing environmental risks linked to the building and wider site.
• Oversee behaviour regulation and escalation processes, ensuring consistent, trauma‑informed, relational approaches across all staff.
• Address high‑risk behaviours, implementing robust systems to reduce safeguarding risk and improve staff confidence.
• Strengthen governance, compliance and risk management across safeguarding, SEND, behaviour and operational systems.
• Provide visible, hands‑on leadership to staff, modelling best practice and reinforcing professional boundaries and expectations.
• Work closely with the Trust/LA, external partners and specialist services to drive rapid improvement and ensure statutory compliance.

Your previous experience as an Interim SEMH Advisory Head

• Proven experience operating at Headteacher or Deputy Head level within specialist or high‑needs settings.
• Strong background in SEMH, with experience of autism as it presents within SEMH or complex behavioural contexts.
• Demonstrable experience stabilising or improving schools facing significant safeguarding, behavioural or systemic challenges.
• A track record of leading high‑risk environments with experience managing complex staffing, safeguarding and SEND‑related risk.
• Ability to rapidly assess failing systems and implement robust, sustainable structures.
• Qualified Teacher Status

The provision requires an experienced, trusted senior leader who is comfortable and confident to support and can hit the ground running this month.

If this Interim SEMH Advisory Head role sounds like a good fit for you or someone you know, please send your CV toAthena – [e-mail] or call 0117 313 7110

(We offer a senior referral scheme upon successful placement of your recommendation, so please get in touch if you know someone suitable.)

Our clients are committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. Recruiting decisions are based on experience and skills, and reasonable adjustments will be supported throughout the application and hiring process.