Trust Lead - SEND & Inclusion
Forward Education Trust, Birmingham, B33 9UH30 days remaining to apply
Closing date
11 April 2026 at 12:59am
Date listed
10 March 2026
Job details
Job role
- Other leadership roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £51,771.00 - £103,028.00 Annually (Actual) Salary negotiable dependant on experience
Trust Lead - SEND & Inclusion job summary
Forward Education Trust is an established and developing MAT of 6 special schools. The schools are in Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell and cover the widest spectrum of Special Educational Needs students and work across all age ranges. It has a talented and committed staff group who strive to provide a safe and supportive environment to care for and educate the children.
The Trust believes that its staff and leaders are its most important asset and that valuing them and utilising their many talents will deliver the best experiences for pupils. You will join supportive and well-established collaborative networks, where colleagues support each other and we learn from each other. The Trust will have a real interest in your future and will be keen to explore ways that you can develop personally and professionally.
With the publication of the Schools White Paper and anticipated SEND reform, this new role takes on an even greater strategic importance. We want to capitalise on opportunities, anticipate and capture benefits to this Trust and our people, as well as supporting outreach to schools and be welcoming to those who want to join a successful Trust.
We would be interested in talking to candidates who would like to be employed full-time or part-time with this Trust. We are also open to collaborative working with other schools/Trusts, which might involve a developmental secondment, in conjunction with a retained role with another school/Trust.
About the Role
Are you passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND? Do you enjoy supporting others, modelling high quality practice, and driving strategic improvement? Are you ready for a role that makes a difference across multiple schools?
As our Trust wide SEND & Inclusion Lead, you will:
- Lead the strategic development of SEND and inclusion across all Forward Education Trust schools
- Work closely with the Director of Education, senior leaders and specialists to ensure a coherent, ambitious and high-quality offer
- Provide hands-on coaching, modelling and support to build staff skill and confidence, including those new to teaching
- Strengthen inclusive teaching, curriculum access, and relational approaches to behaviour
- Oversee Trust approaches to Pupil Premium, EAL, inclusion assurance, and Ofsted readiness
- Coordinate specialist services such as SALT and OT, ensuring provision is effective and impactful
- Build strong relationships with families, agencies and external partners
This is an influential and varied role, ideal for someone who wants to shape practice across a family of specialist schools and ensure that every pupil thrives.
All applications: All Applicants are expected to know what to do if they have concerns about a child, take on the responsibility for providing a safe environment and promoting children’s welfare, undertake regular safeguarding and child protection training and,
Who We’re Looking For
We are seeking an experienced leader who:
- Has significant SEND and inclusion leadership experience
- Demonstrates expertise in SEND legislation, EHCP processes and evidence informed practice
- Are an excellent coach and communicator
- Can build strong, credible relationships across multiple schools
- Is committed to high expectations, ambitious outcomes, and removing barriers to learning
- Thrives in a dynamic role with both strategic and hands-on responsibilities
Prospective candidates are warmly encouraged to visit one or more of our schools. We encourage anyone interested in this role to arrange an informal conversation with Simon Dilkes, CEO, and/or Leanne Mahony, Director of Education. We would be delighted to share more about our vision, our pupils and this exciting opportunity. We would be interested to discuss with you how your experience, skills, aspirations and professional objectives could make you the one who is going to make a difference to the lives of young people in this Trust.
Contact Bally Supra, Senior Trust Administrator, to arrange a confidential, informal discussion with Trust leaders or to arrange a visit to a school.
Bally Supra:
T: 0121 809 1510
E: b.supra@fet.ac
Why Join Forward Education Trust?
At Forward Education Trust, we are committed to creating a culture where colleagues feel supported, valued and able to make a difference every day.
As part of our central team, you will:
- Work with skilled, passionate leaders across a growing family of special schools
- Influence Trust wide policy, practice and strategic direction
- Receive ongoing leadership development and coaching
- Shape the quality of inclusive education across multiple unique contexts
- Contribute to system leadership beyond the Trust
- Join an organisation that values innovation, integrity, inclusivity and continuous improvement
Competitive Benefits:
Forward Education Trust is committed to recruiting and retaining the highest quality staff. To do this, we have an Employee Value Proposition offering a range of benefits to help our staff on a personal and professional level, which includes:
Teacher Pension or Support Staff Local Government Pension - Employer Contribution
FET HUB - information all in one place, access to a range of benefits
Paid for Health Cash Plan - employee and dependent children benefit - option to add partner
Employee Questionnaire - Consultation with staff on a range of issues and ideas
Comprehensive induction and probation support and an ongoing performance management & appraisal system
Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme - free, totally confidential advice, with face-to-face consultations
Personal & professional learning & development - including FLICK online learning and other resources
Access to discounts and offers from Reward Gateway and My Perks
Occupational Health Service - accessible to support the needs of individual staff
Staff recognition - e-cards to celebrate success among colleagues
Mental Health First Aiders
Policies are developed and reviewed to support positive health & well-being: Family Friendly Working, Special Leave of Absence, Flexible Working, Menopause
Our well-being support focuses on managing accountability, workload, and emotional intelligence through professional supervision, peer mentoring, and a supportive organisational culture
Staff recognition - awards throughout the year, in line with Trust behaviours and values
Closing Date: Tuesday 14th April at 08:00am
Shortlisting: Thursday 16th April 2026
Interviews (reserved dates): 21st and 22nd April 2026
Please note that only fully completed Forward Education Trust applications via our Applicant Portal will be accepted. CVs will not be considered.
The Trust may review applications upon receipt and may call applicants for interview prior to the advert closing date. Therefore, you are encouraged to make an early application for this role, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date.
If you do not hear from the Trust within 14 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been shortlisted. The successful applicants will require an enhanced DBS check and will be subject to relevant pre-employment checks.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. This post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) and therefore the ability to speak fluent spoken English is an essential requirement for this role.
An online search will also be carried out for all shortlisted candidates. Forward Education Trust is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate must promote this ethos. The successful candidate will be subject to all necessary pre-employment checks, including enhanced DBS; Prohibition check; Childcare Disqualification; qualifications, medical fitness; identity and right to work and two references.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Forward Education Trust
- Type
- Multi-academy trust
Head office location
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