Deputy Director for SEND Engagement and Public Affairs

Job summary

Schools Group is seeking an exceptional leader to join the Directorate responsible for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities as Deputy Director for Engagement and Public Affairs. This is a high-profile role at the heart of government, offering the opportunity to shape education policy and delivery of the SEND reform strategy.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team, working closely with Ministers, Parliament, and stakeholders across government and the 0-25 SEND system to deliver flagship government reforms that will have a lasting impact on the experience and outcomes of children and young people with SEND and their families. This is a top priority of the Secretary of State.

If successful for this career-defining role, you will grow and nurture a dynamic and expert team to develop an engagement and public affairs programme that will help shape the future of education in England. The role demands a brilliant mix of detailed policy and Parliamentary knowledge, persuasive communication skills, alongside wider strategic vision for education. This is a rare opportunity to lead the delivery of a complex and significant programme of work with an emphasis on building coalitions and co-creating strategy and policy with a broad range of stakeholders.

You will bring a strong track-record of leadership, ideally from managing previous high-profile strategy across Government, and the drive to apply that expertise in a fast-paced, high-impact environment. This role offers exceptional exposure to the top-level workings of the department and government as well as an unparalleled opportunity to shape engagement with a wide and varied cross-section of passionate and committed stakeholders. It is an excellent opportunity to develop and hone the skills required to progress further in the Civil Service in this pivotal role

Job description

The post-holder will lead the SEND Engagement and Public Affairs Division and will have the following responsibilities:

• Leading on SEND, engagement and public affairs
• Providing expert advice to Ministers, senior officials, and Parliamentarians on strategy, risks, and opportunities
• Managing relationships with stakeholders to build consensus and support and ensure that their voices are heard throughout
• Ensuring robust governance, risk management, and delivery planning are in place throughout the process
• Representing the Department for Education at senior cross-government forums and in public and Parliamentary settings
• Inspiring, leading, and developing a high-performing team, fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture
• Growing and line managing the Engagement Team to ensure it is high-performing and resilient, particularly during busy periods
• Actively supporting wellbeing and learning across the division

Please note that this role is available if you are based in London only, as it will require regular physical presence in London and some unsociable hours. The division operates a flexi-leave system to support colleagues in maintaining a work-life balance.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

We are looking for you to demonstrate the following essential skills and experience:

• Previous experience working in SEND and alternative provision, or a similarly high-profilepublic service reform programme
• Proven strategic leadership experience in leading highly complex education based engagement and public affairs projects at scale, with a track record for delivering results under pressure
• Strong political awareness, ideally in relation to SEND reforms and the ability to operate confidently in a public and Parliamentary environment
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with proven ability to build trusted, influential relationships with stakeholders
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the values of the Civil Service
• Experience leading across teams to deliver challenging outcomes, with a strong ability to build and sustain resilient teams through a clear and engaging shared vision

Desirable criteria (to be used at interview, in a tie-break scenario, to make an informed decision):

• Previous experience in stakeholder engagement and/ or public affairs

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £86,000, Department for Education contributes £24,914 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.

As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.

We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.

Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances, but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.

As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Strengths and Experience.

Application

To apply for this role, you will be required to provide a CV and Statement of Suitability.

• Your CV should set out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

• Your Statement of Suitability (no longer than 750 words), should detail how you meet the essential criteria outlined above and on page 7 of the attached candidate pack. Should we receive a high volume of applications, then we will sift on the first essential criteria only.

We will use your CV and Statement of Suitability to assess your suitability for the role against the essential criteria listed in the person specification section above.

Those successful at sift will be invited to attend an interview.

Interview

Shortlisted candidates will take part in a formal interview which will aim to be held on either 24th or 29th July and will be face to face in London or virtual.

As part of the interview process, you will be asked to prepare a 5 minute verbal presentation (further information will be shared with shortlisted candidates) and you will be asked questions to further assess your Experience and Strengths using the Civil Service Strengths Dictionary.

As part of the recruitment process we may request references.

The Department for Education does not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.

Please note that at interview stage we may ask if you have any conflicts of interest to declare.

For more information on how to apply, please visit How to Apply , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)

For an accessible version of the candidate pack, please contact scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk

Other Information

We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs

Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.

Reasonable adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Department of Education via scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.This role has a minimum assignment duration of 2 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : SCS Recruitment Team
• Email : SCS.recruitment@education.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : SCS.recruitment@education.gov.uk

Further information

The Department for Education’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly with the department concerned via CentralRecruitment.Operations@education.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages

Attachments

SCS candidate pack - Deputy Director SEND Engagement and public affairs Opens in new window (pdf, 1107kB)Reasonable Adjustments guide 05_2025 - accessible version Opens in new window (pdf, 723kB)DFE Terms & Conditions - accessible version Opens in new window (pdf, 215kB)