Head of Wellbeing and Development

• Sendsory
• Address: Ipswich, Suffolk IP2 
• Salary: £34,179 per annum actual (£40,777 per annum, pro rata)
• Hours: 40 hours per week (8am – 4.30pm), term time only
• Contract: Fixed term for 12 months, required from 1 September 2026
• Reference: 0865

Sendsory is a specialist alternative education provision for pupils with SEND, who are looking for a new Head of Wellbeing and Development.

Key responsibilities

Deliver personalised therapeutic learning and support through engaging one-to-one and small group sessions, implementing EHCP outcomes and supporting achievement through curriculum activities and the AQA Unit Award Scheme.

Promote pupils’ personal development and independence by developing life skills, social communication, emotional regulation, resilience, confidence, self-help skills and positive relationships to prepare them for everyday life and future learning.

Provide a safe, nurturing and supportive environment by building positive relationships, supporting personal care needs with dignity, maintaining therapeutic learning spaces, and encouraging independence and social interaction during daily routines and mealtimes.

Manage behaviour and wellbeing using trauma-informed approaches by de-escalating challenging situations, modelling appropriate behaviour and emotional regulation, recognising emotional triggers, and creating a consistent, predictable environment that fosters trust and emotional safety.

Contribute to safeguarding and effective team working by recording and reporting incidents and concerns, attending safeguarding and behaviour briefings, participating in debriefs and planning, and supporting the preparation of resources and learning environments as directed by the Therapeutic Teacher.

Assessment and Developmental Tracking

• Monitor and assess each child’s progress across the four areas of need and the 5 A’s framework, completing regular developmental snapshots and maintaining up-to-date Wellbeing and Learning Pathways
• Use assessment information to inform planning, identify next steps and adapt support to meet changing needs, while evaluating the impact of therapeutic interventions to promote positive outcomes and continued progress.
   

Therapeutic Practice and Emotional Regulation

• Deliver play-based therapeutic interventions that support children’s emotional wellbeing, development and engagement in learning
• Lead the implementation of emotional regulation strategies and embed trauma-informed, attachment-aware and restorative approaches across the provision, while supporting and coaching staff to create a consistent environment that promotes emotional safety, resilience, trust and positive relationships.
   

Multi-Agency and Family Working

• Work collaboratively with parents, carers and external professionals to ensure a coordinated approach to supporting each child.
• Contribute to Child in Need meetings, annual reviews and multi-agency planning by providing professional insight, reports and recommendations, while undertaking home visits to support effective transitions and develop positive relationships with families.
   

Administration and Communication

• Maintain accurate, confidential and up-to-date records, reports and documentation in line with organisational requirements. 
• Ensure effective communication by recording and sharing key actions from meetings, contributing to quality assurance processes, and working closely with colleagues, families and external agencies to support high-quality provision and positive outcomes for children.

About Sendsory

Sendsory is a specialist Alternative Provision supporting children aged 4 – 11 with SEND. Our Therapeutic Curriculum supports children to regulate emotions, develop communication and social skills and build confidence in a nurturing, structured environment.

We support children who are awaiting school placement, at risk of or who have experienced permanent exclusion, and those disengaging from mainstream education.

What we offer

At Sendsory, you'll join a supportive, child-focused team, receive six training days per year and benefit from a competitive salary while making a meaningful difference to children with SEND.

For more information

Please read the Job Description (pdf)

How to apply

Please complete an application via the Jobs section on our website www.sendsory.com/jobs, including a supporting statement outlining how you meet the criteria in the job description. Applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered.

Due to safer recruitment procedures, we are unable to accept CVs.

Closing date: 12pm, 18 August 2026.

Interview date: week commencing 24 August 2026.

 Promoted as FJ (Featured Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. Sendsory is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. We welcome applications from men as they are currently under-represented in this role.