Section 19 Manager

Job Description

Salary: £47,665 - £49,817 per annum

Hours per week: 37

Interview date: Thursday 15 October 2026

Make a difference to the lives of Wiltshire’s most vulnerable children and young people. We are looking for an experienced and motivated Section 19 Manager to lead Wiltshire Council’s statutory responsibilities under Section 19 of the Education Act 1996. In this pivotal role, you will provide both strategic and operational leadership, ensuring children of compulsory school age who are unable to attend school due to illness, exclusion, or other circumstances receive suitable, timely, and effective education. You will oversee service delivery, manage a dedicated team of Section 19/Children Absent from Education Coordinators, and ensure compliance with legislation, statutory guidance, and local priorities.

The Targeted Education Service ensures Wiltshire Council meets its statutory duties under Section 19 of the Education Act 1996 by providing suitable education for children unable to attend school due to illness, exclusion, or other circumstances. Working closely with schools, families, and partner agencies, the service supports vulnerable learners to access education, overcome barriers, and achieve positive outcomes.

Working closely with schools, families, alternative providers, and partner agencies, you will lead multi-agency decision-making through the chairing of Section 19 Panels, oversee complex case management, and commission high-quality alternative provision to meet individual needs. You will also be responsible for service improvement, performance management, budget oversight, policy development, and reporting, using data and insight to drive positive outcomes and ensure the highest standards of practice.

This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled leader with strong knowledge of education legislation, experience of managing services and teams, and a passion for improving outcomes for vulnerable learners. If you are ready to influence strategic direction, and champion inclusive education, apply today and help ensure that every child has access to the education they deserve, no matter the challenges they face.

Why us?

Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Find out more about Our Identity, staff networks, and employee benefitshere.

Our hybrid working model means office staff are on site for at least half their hours, community-based staff carry out at least half their admin time in a workplace, and customer‑facing roles work entirely from their service location.

We are committed to creating a workplace where positive relationships thrive and everyone feels engaged, supported and able to do their best. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust and respect, guided by our vision and Our Identity.

Contact details

John Spring, head of Targeted Education at john.spring@wiltshire.gov.uk

Please ensure to regularly check your spam or junk folder for any communication from us regarding the status of your application.

Application criteria

Please download and read the role description and person specification carefully before you apply.

We understand that AI tools can support you in preparing job applications. However, we value authenticity and would encourage you to ensure your submission genuinely reflects your own experiences, skills, and motivations.

While we welcome applications from job seekers who require skilled worker sponsorship, we are not able to issue a defined certificate of sponsorship due to limitations in our sponsorship capacity.

If you have applied for this role within the last six months, you do not need to reapply. Your application will remain on file and will be considered.

We are firmly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to the principles of inclusion and diversity in both employment and the delivery of services.

Statement of commitment to equality and inclusion

Disability Confident Employer

Application process

Wiltshire Council does not accept unsolicited CVs or candidate details from recruitment agencies that are not appointed under a current, valid contract or approved supplier arrangement (including through our neutral vendor, Comensura).

Submission of unsolicited CVs or candidate details to the Council, whether directly or to individual employees, will not be considered as an introduction and will not create any obligation on the Council to pay any fees. If a candidate whose details have been submitted speculatively is subsequently appointed through a compliant route, no agency fee will be payable in respect of the unsolicited submission.

Agencies wishing to work with the Council must do so only via our approved procurement processes and neutral vendor arrangements.