Head of Quality and Practice

- Sendsory
- Address: Ipswich, Suffolk
- Salary: £48,163 pro rata FTE (£20,067 per annum actual)
- Hours: 25 hours per week, term time only (9.30am – 2.30pm)
- Contract: Fixed term from January 2027 – August 2027, with the potential for renewal from September 2027, subject to successful completion of the probationary period and review of the role and organisational requirements.
- Reference: 0943

About the role

Includa Education Group is looking for an experienced and motivated Head of Quality and Practice to work across our two specialist therapeutic education provisions, Sendsory and Re:Link.

You will lead the quality and practice framework across Sendsory and Re:Link, ensuring that our therapeutic, educational and specialist approaches are consistently delivering positive outcomes for children and young people.

Working alongside our Heads of Provision and wider leadership team, you will provide independent scrutiny, identify strengths and areas for development, and support continuous improvement across education, SEND, safeguarding, therapeutic practice and pupil outcomes.

The successful candidate will have significant experience working with children and young people with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, alongside a strong understanding of trauma-informed, attachment-aware and relational practice.

Key Responsibilities

Quality and Improvement:

- lead the quality and practice framework across both provisions
- undertake learning walks, observations, audits, work scrutiny and pupil file reviews
- evaluate the quality and consistency of education, therapeutic and specialist practice
- identify strengths, risks and areas for development and provide constructive professional challenge
- monitor improvement actions and their impact.

Education, SEND and Outcomes:

- quality assure curriculum delivery, teaching and adaptive practice
- review pupil progress, EHCP outcomes, assessment and individual targets
- analyse progress, attendance, behaviour and engagement data to identify trends
- quality assure pupil records, AQA evidence and organisational systems
- ensure pupil and parent/carer feedback contributes to improvement.

Safeguarding and Compliance:

- undertake safeguarding and compliance audits
- quality assure safeguarding records, referrals, risk assessments, PEEPs and other key documentation
- monitor compliance with relevant safeguarding, SEND, health and safety and organisational requirements
- identify and escalate significant concerns.

Leadership and External Scrutiny:

- work collaboratively with Heads of Provision while maintaining independence and professional challenge
- support leaders to reflect on practice and implement sustainable improvements
- contribute to self-evaluation, improvement planning and preparation for Ofsted and other external reviews
- produce clear reports highlighting strengths, risks, trends and recommendations
- support consistency and effective practice across Sendsory and Re:Link.

About you

We are looking for someone who:

- has significant experience working with children and young people with SLD and SEMH
- has substantial experience in education, SEND, specialist or alternative provision, or quality assurance
- has a strong understanding of teaching, learning and adaptive practice for pupils with complex SEND
- has experience of observations, audits, reviews or quality assurance activity
- has a strong understanding of safeguarding, EHCPs and meaningful assessment
- can analyse information and use evidence to drive improvement
- is confident providing constructive challenge to professionals and senior leaders
- has excellent communication, report-writing and organisational skills
- understands trauma-informed, attachment-aware and relational approaches
- is confident working independently and across multidisciplinary teams
- is able to travel between Sendsory and Re:Link as required
- is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

QTS or an equivalent recognised teaching qualification is desirable.

What we can offer:

- a senior role with genuine influence across two specialist therapeutic provisions
- the opportunity to improve outcomes for children and young people with complex SEND and SEMH
- a varied role across education, therapeutic practice, SEND, safeguarding and improvement
- the opportunity to work alongside experienced Heads of Provision and multidisciplinary teams
- professional development and opportunities for reflection and learning
- the opportunity to shape the quality and practice framework of a growing education group
- a supportive organisation committed to trauma-informed, attachment-aware and child-centred practice.

If you are an experienced education or SEND professional with a strong understanding of SLD and SEMH and a passion for improving specialist and therapeutic education, we would love to hear from you.

How to Apply

Please visit our website and complete the online application form, including a supporting statement outlining your relevant experience, experience of working with children with SLD and SEMH, and what you would bring to the role.

Closing date: 12pm, 16 October 2026

Interview date: week commencing 19 October 2026

Due to our safer recruitment procedures, we are unable to accept CVs. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Includa Education Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and apprentices to share this commitment. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Promoted as FJ (Featured Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.