Job Introduction
The pay range for this role will be £83,536 - £84,966 (pro rata for part time colleagues).
From 1 April the salary for this role will be £84,251.
We’re looking forward to welcoming new colleagues under this refreshed framework of pay, terms, and conditions. To promote fairness and consistency, all new starters will begin at the bottom of the pay band. This reflects our commitment to equity across the organisation and aligns with the approach taken with existing staff during the transition. While the starting salary is fixed, the role offers excellent scope for growth, meaningful contribution, and being part of a forward-thinking team.
You can also find out more about the new terms and conditions that we are introducing on our careers site on, 'More than just a job' brochure
Role Purpose
We are seeking an exceptional leader to join BCP Council as the Head of Access to Education.
Are you driven by the belief that every child deserves the right support, at the right time, to thrive in education?
This role offers the opportunity to shape that vision across our local area, leading developments that make a meaningful difference for children, young people, and families.
As Head of Access to Education, you will take a strategic lead in ensuring children can access high quality, inclusive education that meets their needs. You will oversee the delivery of effective education place planning, admissions, and pathways that enable children to engage with learning in settings that are safe, ambitious, and responsive. Working closely with partners, school leaders, and communities, you will help to build a system that is sustainable, equitable, and focused on improving outcomes.
This is a role for someone who brings both strategic insight and a value led approach; someone who can inspire teams, navigate complexity, and remain focused on what matters most: ensuring children and young people have the opportunities and support they need to succeed within our local family of schools and settings.
Main Responsibilities
What will you be doing?
What You’ll Lead:
- Strategic education place planning for mainstream and special education
- Commissioning and delivery of capital schemes, including SEND provision
- School admissions, including in-year fair access
- Home to school transport
- Innovative partnerships and funding strategies to expand and enhance provision
What You’ll Champion:
- Compassionate, inclusive leadership that empowers teams and communities
- A culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and high performance
- Equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of service delivery
- Financial stewardship of a significant capital budget, driving value and impact
The Ideal Candidate
You will bring the strategic leadership insight and commitment needed to shape a high‑performing, inclusive education system.
You will be someone who:
- Leads with clarity, compassion and ambition, inspiring teams to deliver for children, young people and families.
- Operates confidently in complex environments, balancing strategic priorities with the agility needed to respond to emerging needs.
- Understands education legislation, place planning and system infrastructure, and can turn that knowledge into practical, forward‑looking solutions.
- Builds trust and influence across partnerships, engaging schools, settings, communities and elected members in a shared vision.
- Drives improvement and change, with the resilience and creativity to shape sustainable models of delivery.
- Models integrity and values-led leadership, ensuring equity and inclusion are embedded in every aspect of the service.
What We Offer
In return, we offer you the opportunity to make a lasting difference for children and young people in a role with real purpose and influence. You will benefit from:
- A leadership environment that values innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement, with support to develop and shape system-wide change.
- The chance to work across a passionate and committed education community, partnering with schools, settings and services that share a strong commitment to improving outcomes.
- Significant scope to influence strategy and investment, ensuring our provision is sustainable, ambitious and rooted in the needs of our local area.
- A culture that prioritises wellbeing, flexibility and professional growth, supporting you to thrive in your role.
- The opportunity to lead work that directly improves access, equity and educational success for children and young people across our area.
Shortlisting w/c 2.3.26
Interviews w/c 9.3.26
Should you have any queries, please contact us via email lisa.linscott@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.
At BCP Council, inclusion is more than a promise – it’s how we work.
We’re committed to providing a fully inclusive recruitment process ensuring every candidate and colleague has the support and reasonable adjustments they need to thrive.
From the moment you apply, through the recruitment process and throughout your career with us, we’ll be here to listen and provide the help and support you need.
It’s why we’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer – and why you can trust that we’ll always do our best to make your experience positive and accessible.
If you require any reasonable adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply or contact us directly – we’re here to help. For further information on the accessibility support we can offer please see here: Preparing for your interview | Working for BCP
About BCP Council
BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, word-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.
Our Benefits
A Place to Thrive – Join BCP Council
At BCP Council, we’re not just building a workforce— we’re transforming how we recognise and reward our people.
Check out our attractive enhanced benefits and find out more about the new Pay and Reward package at (Employee benefits | Working for BCP link to careers page)
Be the difference - Join an organisation that values you
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