Head of Provision
The Willows Child Development Alternative Provision
Mildenhall & Tuddenham, Suffolk
Permanent | 39 Weeks Per Year + Additional Overtime Opportunities
Senior Leadership Team
Responsible To:
Managing Director / Founder
Purpose of the Role
The Head of Provision will provide operational, pastoral, and strategic leadership across The Willows Child Development, with primary responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and development of the provision.
This role has been created to support the next stage of growth within the organisation as The Willows continues to expand its therapeutic alternative provision and future specialist education pathways.
The successful candidate will work closely alongside the Founder and Senior Leadership Team to strengthen operational systems, staff development, safeguarding culture, organisational consistency, and long-term sustainability whilst protecting the relational, therapeutic, and child-centred ethos of the provision.
This is a collaborative leadership role requiring both strategic oversight and active involvement within the daily life of the provision.
About The Willows:
The Willows Child Development is a therapeutic alternative provision supporting children and young people aged 5–16 who may experience barriers within mainstream education due to autism, ADHD, SEMH needs, trauma, anxiety, adverse childhood experiences, and unmet additional needs.
Our approach is trauma-informed, relational, neurodiversity-affirming, and child-led. We believe children thrive when they feel safe, connected, understood, and empowered through meaningful relationships, play, movement, autonomy, and therapeutic support.
The Willows is intentionally different from traditional educational models and places strong emphasis on emotional safety, flexibility, nervous system regulation, reflective practice, and relational approaches to behaviour and learning.
Initial Focus of the Role
During the initial phase of the role, the successful candidate will:
- Become fully immersed in the ethos, values, and therapeutic approach of The Willows
- Develop strong relationships with children, families, and staff
- Support the operational development of the provision
- Help strengthen organisational systems and leadership structures
- Support consistency, communication, and staff development across the organisation
- Work collaboratively with the Founder and Senior Leadership Team to support sustainable growth
The role is expected to evolve over time as the organisation continues to develop.
Key Responsibilities:
Operational Leadership
- Provide day-to-day operational leadership across the provision
- Support the smooth and effective running of the provision
- Oversee staffing deployment, rotas, organisation, and operational consistency
- Help develop and implement sustainable operational systems and processes
- Support referrals, admissions, transitions, and placement planning
- Maintain high standards of professionalism, communication, and organisation
Safeguarding & Pastoral Leadership
- Promote a strong safeguarding culture throughout the provision
- Support staff in responding to behaviours through trauma-informed and relational approaches
- Ensure emotionally safe, nurturing, and regulated environments for children and young people
- Support risk assessments, health & safety processes, and safeguarding procedures
- Work collaboratively with families, schools, local authorities, and external professionals
Staff Leadership & Development
- Support, mentor, and develop staff teams
- Foster reflective, psychologically safe working environments
- Lead by example through calm, compassionate, and consistent leadership
- Support staff wellbeing and professional development
- Help embed therapeutic and neurodiversity-affirming practice across teams
Strategic Development
- Work collaboratively with the Founder and SLT to support organisational growth
- Contribute to long-term planning and provision development
- Support future specialist school development and readiness where appropriate
- Help strengthen accountability, communication systems, and organisational structures
- Protect and promote the ethos and vision of The Willows
Essential Skills & Experience
- Significant leadership experience within education, SEND, SEMH, alternative provision, or specialist settings
- Strong safeguarding knowledge and leadership experience
- Excellent communication, organisational, and leadership skills
- Experience leading and supporting multidisciplinary teams
- Ability to build positive relationships with children, families, staff, and professionals
- Calm, reflective, and solution-focused approach to leadership
- Strong emotional intelligence and relational practice
Desirable Qualifications & Experience
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent leadership experience
- SENCo qualification or specialist SEND knowledge
- Experience within therapeutic or alternative provision settings
- Experience supporting organisational growth or change
- DSL qualification/experience
- Leadership qualification or Masters-level study in educational leadership
Personal Qualities
We are looking for someone who:
- Leads with warmth, integrity, humility, and compassion
- Understands that relationships are central to education
- Values flexibility, creativity, and reflective practice
- Can balance operational structure with therapeutic responsiveness
- Shares our belief that behaviour is communication
- Is passionate about creating environments where children feel genuinely safe, valued, and able to thrive
Contract & Salary
- 39 weeks per year (term time)
- Additional overtime opportunities available during school holidays and organisational development periods
- Salary: £37,464 p/a dependent on experience
- Pension contribution
- Enhanced DBS required
- 6 month probationary period applicable
The Willows Child Development is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks, references, and safer recruitment procedures in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).
Pay: From £37,464.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
