About this role

It is an exciting time to join Norfolk County Council as we embark on our next phase of transformation of our SEND and Alternative Provision system, responding to pending national SEND reforms through delivery of Norfolk's local area SEND Reform Plan and in preparation for the Area Ofsted and CQC SEND & AP Inspection. Building on a recent highly successful Ofsted Inspection of Children's Services, our strategy for children with SEND and who require Alternative Provision is equally ambitious underpinned by our overall aim that all children and young people in Norfolk should FLOURISH.

We are seeking a highly skilled leader to lead our Transitional Education Service which secures education for pupils who, due to their circumstances, cannot receive education in a registered school setting. The service operates as part of a wider system across schools and the local authority to ensure children receive a high-quality alternative education and have clear pathways to reintegrate back into registered school settings. It works closely with other key services and teams, as well as externally, as part of our local area SEND and AP partnership.

The Transitional Education Service is a highly complex area of delivery, managing a large staff team and having robust oversight of children outside of the registered school system. We need a leader skilled in managing large teams, developing strategy and shaping influence across a diverse and complex system as well as experience of working with or on behalf of children and young people who are vulnerable and have multiple barriers to succeeding in education.

As the role involves working with vulnerable children, the successful appointment will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Before you apply, we recommend reading the full Job Description and Person Specification to help you demonstrate you meet the criteria.

These are some benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council:

- Competitive salary
- Generous holiday entitlement
- Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service
- Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part time, remote and hybrid working – dependant on your job role and business need.
- Financial benefits such as: ‘ Norfolk Rewards’ our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out. (https://norfolk.rewardgateway.co.uk/Authentication/Start)
- A Blue Light card (https://www.bluelightcard.co.uk/) for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
- Relocation expenses (where applicable)
- An advance of your expenses if you travel for work
- Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants’ pensions.
- Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes
- Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra-low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility)
- A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job

You can also find information on our Terms and Conditions here.

Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for internal and external vacancies in myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.

We would like to make you aware that priority consideration for this post may be given to current employees who are at risk due to restructure within the organisation or are in a redeployment position.

Redeployment closing date: 13 October 2026 at 23:55

All other applicants closing date: 20 October 2026 at 23:55