Childrens Services jobs in Norwich

Do you want freedom to innovate and lead the change of tomorrow?

HEAD OF EDUCATION with Specialist Education Services

Leadership Scale L10 – L17 (£64,691 - £76,772)

SPECIALIST EDUCATION SERVICES

We have an exemplary track record of innovative and progressive work with children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. Avocet House is a dual-registered Children’s Home and Residential Special School, providing highly individualised education and care for eight children and young people aged 8 to 19.

Avocet House Learning Centre is currently judged ‘Good’ under the Ofsted education inspection framework.

We set no limits on the progress of our children or the development of our staff. A role with Specialist Education Services is ideal for someone who would relish the opportunity to be part of a team that continues to innovate, develop and extend exciting, highly personalised programmes for the children in our care.

HEAD OF EDUCATION

This key executive management role works alongside the home’s Registered Manager and under the leadership of the Principal to deliver our 24-hour learning philosophy. The Head of Education oversees a Deputy and a team of teachers and teaching assistants within our Learning Centre.

As Head of Education, you will have responsibility for the Learning Centre, ensuring a creative, ambitious and highly personalised curriculum for the children and young people in our care. You will not, however, be running the Learning Centre as a separate ‘school’. Our holistic philosophy demands a genuinely integrated team approach, with education, care and therapeutic practice working together under the leadership of the Principal.

The SES Way, our model of blended therapeutic care and education, has a strong track record of achieving successful and lasting positive outcomes for children and young people with highly complex needs. This role provides an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to stretch and develop their own professional experience, working as part of our multidisciplinary team and alongside specialist professional consultants. Together, this enables us to provide an integrated approach to therapeutic care, health and education within SES.

We are seeking an experienced, creative professional who brings management experience alongside the confidence and ability to innovate. If you have the potential, we will invest in developing it. You must share our ‘No Limits’ philosophy, understand the concept of 24-hour learning and have an informed and imaginative view of learning in its widest sense.

An SEN specialism would be advantageous, as would knowledge and experience of social, emotional and mental health needs, but neither should determine whether you enquire or apply. We are equally interested in the values, potential, creativity and leadership you could bring to SES.

We are keen to secure the best talent available in the UK and as such we are offering a generous relocation package of up to £10,000. Norfolk is an amazing rural county with an abundance of beautiful natural locations, offering a high quality standard of living and wellbeing.

Successful candidates will receive:

· private health insurance with Vitality, including Employee Assistance Programme

· every opportunity for promotion

· our no limits approach to staff development, and will be working for an organisation with a radical and innovative approach.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments are dependent on a satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure.

We are an equal opportunity employer with diversity and inclusion at the centre of everything we do.

Discussion about this post is encouraged with the Principal, Phil Hinchliffe, on 01508 549320, especially if you are unsure whether this role is for you.

To apply for this role, please complete the application form found on our website www.specialisteducation.co.uk or call us on 01508 549320 for more information.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 11 October 2026.

Interviews will be held on Friday 23 October 2026.

We are ideally seeking a January 2027 start, or earlier where possible, but finding the right person for SES is our priority and we are prepared to wait for the right candidate.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £64,691.00-£76,772.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee mentoring programme
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Private medical insurance
• Relocation assistance
• Sick pay
• Store discount

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person