Head of SEND & Inclusion Havant & South Downs College

Who we are

Havant & South Downs College (HSDC) is a leading further education and sixth form college in Hampshire, serving thousands of students across its Havant, South Downs (Waterlooville) and Alton campuses.

The College offers a wide range of academic and technical pathways, including A Levels, T Levels, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, adult learning and higher education courses.

Committed to excellence, HSDC provides outstanding teaching, strong employer partnerships, and industry-standard facilities that help students develop the skills, confidence, and experience needed for future success.

With a focus on achievement, progression and employability, HSDC empowers learners to reach their potential.

About the role

We are seeking an exceptional and forward-thinking Head of SEND & Inclusion to lead and shape our inclusive education strategy across the College. This newly created senior leadership role presents a unique opportunity to drive transformational change, establish consistency of practice, and ensure that learners with additional needs receive outstanding support to achieve their ambitions and reach their full potential.

Working in partnership with the Director of Student Progress and key stakeholders across the organisation, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for SEND and inclusion services, leading the implementation of sector reforms and embedding a culture where inclusion is everyone’s responsibility. You will play a central role in shaping policy, improving practice, and ensuring the College remains at the forefront of inclusive education.

As the College SEND Lead, you will oversee a highly experienced multidisciplinary team across our campuses, including ALS Leads, EHCP Coordinators, SEND Lecturers, ALS Mentors and ELSAs. You will inspire and develop colleagues, ensuring a collaborative approach that delivers high-quality support and positive outcomes for learners with a broad range of needs.

The role also carries responsibility for statutory compliance, high needs provision, funding negotiations with Local Authorities, and the effective management of SEND tribunals and mediation processes.

This is a rare opportunity to combine strategic leadership with meaningful impact, helping to create an inclusive environment where every student can thrive and progress successfully.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an inspirational SEND leader who combines strategic vision with operational excellence and a genuine passion for improving outcomes for young people. You will be an experienced professional with the confidence, credibility and expertise to influence change, challenge existing practice, and lead a culture of inclusion across a large and diverse organisation.

The successful candidate will hold a recognised National Professional Qualification for SEND or SENCO qualification, together with a degree or equivalent professional qualification. You will bring significant experience of leading SEND and inclusion services, with a deep understanding of current legislation, statutory requirements and best practice within the education sector.

You will have a proven track record of managing SEND tribunals and mediation cases, including preparing legal evidence and representing an organisation at formal hearings. Experience in negotiating effectively with Local Authorities and securing high needs funding will be essential, alongside the ability to manage resources strategically to maximise impact for learners.

Above all, we are seeking a collaborative and innovative leader with experience of managing multidisciplinary teams and developing high-performing colleagues. You will be an excellent communicator, skilled at building relationships, influencing stakeholders and driving continuous improvement. If you are passionate about creating inclusive opportunities, leading meaningful change and making a lasting difference to the lives of learners, we would love to hear from you.