Service Director Education Participation and Skills

Salary: £88,144 to £111,430 (Depending on experience)
A relocation package of up to £8k is available for eligible candidates.

A message from the Strategic Director of Children’s Services, David Haley

Thank you for taking the time to consider Plymouth Children’s Services, we have exciting plans for our city, and the children and young people we serve. Our children and young people are key to our long-term success. We want them to have the best start in life, feel and be safe and healthy, be well educated and have the skills and positive aspirations for their future.

Plymouth is a fantastic place to live and work.  We are building a culture which is child centred, focused on improving outcomes for all our children with a commitment that no child is left behind.  You will join at a time where we are moving to locality structures supported by an evidence base of where need is and how best to support our families. 

We are looking for someone with passion of realising the very best for our children, with much heart and significant experience of improving services with a knowledge of what good looks like. 

We have a number of exciting initiatives, please have a look through this dedicated site to see if you feel that you would fit and offer what Plymouth needs right now and if we can provide you with the career aspirations you desire to be part of our journey.

For further information, please contact our recruitment partners at Tile Hill.

About You

You’ll be an ambitious strategic leader with a deep commitment to children and young people. You will bring a strong track record of delivering improved outcomes in education, inclusion, SEND services or skills, ideally within a complex or multi-agency system. You’ll be able to work across organisational and professional boundaries, confidently manage relationships across the education, SEND and skills system and lead with empathy and clarity in a fast-paced and dynamic system.

You’ll need to be confident engaging with elected members, working collaboratively with the wider council and health and education systems and influencing regional and national partners. If you can bring commitment, ambition, energy and a collaborative mindset, you will thrive in Plymouth.

Why Plymouth?

We are a resilient, connected, and child-focused city. Our services are improving, our partnerships are maturing, and we are serious about delivering change that lasts. You’ll find a warm welcome, a senior team that work together, and the space to grow your national profile as a visible and influential education leader.

The role

Join a values-driven Council on an ambitious journey of continuous improvement

Plymouth City Council is seeking an exceptional education leader to shape the next chapter of our improvement and transformation journey. Children and young people have told us that they want to grow up in a system that is ‘equal, kind and safe’ and we are determined to deliver that for them.  

As our new Service Director for Education, Participation and Skills, you’ll join a united Children’s Services Directorate within a Council committed to delivering sustainable change for children, young people and families across education, SEND and inclusion which makes a big difference to their lives.

This is a pivotal time to join us

Following the Local Area SEND Inspection in the Summer of 2023 our Partnerships have strengthened and we have made significant strides forward in improving the provision and outcomes for children, young people and their families. Now, we’re entering the second year of a bold three year transformation plan with education, belonging and inclusion placed firmly at its heart.

Working closely with our Director of Children’s Services and Partners, you will: 

  • Lead our local area SEND Strategy and Delivery Plan and our forward looking Skills Programme

  • Drive forward the priorities of belonging and inclusion, home-education, increasing attendance at school and reducing exclusions and suspensions

  • Further strengthen our education partnerships across a complex school system and a dynamic Multi-Academy Trust landscape.

  • Lead delivery of National reforms in a fully integrated ‘One Children’s Services’ context, ensuring education plays a central role.

  • Build on strong foundations with our three local universities and grow opportunities to raise aspirations and strengthen place-based working.

  • Navigate and manage a tight but balanced education budget, identifying opportunities for innovation and efficiency.

This role offers a genuine opportunity to drive forward place-based educational improvement with real system leadership and influence aross education, health, and social care. You will work in a forward-looking, child-centred environment, supported by strong partnerships, high levels of political support, and a commitment to inclusive outcomes.

Contact

To find out more about the role, about living and working in Plymouth or to apply, please contact our Executive Search Partners from Tile Hill, Helen Alwell or Anita Denton.