Service Lead - Access to Education
- Exeter, Devon, Hybrid
- Full Time
- £67,401 per annum
Service Lead – Access to Education
Children's Services – Inclusion and Learning
Full Time | 37 hours per week | Permanent
Location: County Hall, Exeter / Hybrid Working
Shape the future of education across Devon.
Devon is one of the largest local authorities in England, serving more than 170,000 children and young people across a diverse county of vibrant cities, market towns and rural communities. We are committed to ensuring every child has access to the right education, in the right place, at the right time.
We are seeking an exceptional strategic leader to join our Inclusion and Learning Directorate as our Service Lead – Access to Education.
This is a unique opportunity to lead one of the Council's most significant statutory services, with responsibility for ensuring sufficient education provision from early years through to post-16, including children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
About the role
Reporting to the Head of Strategy and Central Operations, you will provide strategic leadership across a broad and high-profile portfolio including:
- School Place Planning
- Admissions and Fair Access
- School Organisation
- SEND Sufficiency
- Early Years and Childcare Sufficiency
- School Aged Childcare
- Education Infrastructure Planning
- Basic Need and High Needs Capital Programmes
- Holiday Activities and Food (HAF)
Working with schools, Multi Academy Trusts, developers, elected Members, the Department for Education and a wide range of partners, you will ensure Devon continues to meet its statutory responsibilities while delivering innovative, sustainable solutions that improve outcomes for children and families.
This is a role that combines strategic thinking, political awareness and operational leadership, requiring someone who can confidently lead complex programmes of change, influence at the highest level and build strong partnerships across the education system.
About you
We are looking for an experienced senior leader who can demonstrate:
- Significant leadership experience within education, children's services or a related public sector environment.
- Excellent understanding of education legislation, particularly around admissions, place planning, SEND and statutory sufficiency.
- Experience of leading complex change programmes and delivering strategic priorities.
- Strong financial and commercial acumen, including managing significant budgets and capital investment programmes.
- Outstanding partnership, negotiation and influencing skills.
- The ability to analyse complex information, make evidence-based decisions and provide strategic advice to senior leaders and elected Members.
- A commitment to inclusion, continuous improvement and achieving the very best outcomes for children and young people.
Why join Devon?
This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact across one of the country's largest and most diverse local authorities. You'll work alongside passionate colleagues who are committed to improving educational opportunities for children and young people across Devon.
In return, we offer:
- Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Ongoing professional development.
- A supportive and collaborative leadership culture.
- Employee wellbeing support and staff benefits.
If you are an ambitious, collaborative leader with the vision and determination to shape education provision for the future, we would love to hear from you.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Simon Niles simon.niles@devon.gov.uk
Closing Date: 23rd August 2026
Interview Date: 7th September 2026
How to apply
Please ensure when completing your application form that you provide a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the essential and desirable criteria as described in the person specification of the job description. Applications may not be taken forwards if the supporting statement is not adequately completed.
Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.
Please click Apply Now to see the Job Description.
- DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
- For details on the use of AI in applications and Devon County Council’s use of AI in Recruitment please see Use of AI in Our Recruitment Processes - Working for Devon | Devon County Council
- Happy to Talk Flexible Working - The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
- We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
- This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
- Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
- For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.
- We cannot consider visa sponsorship at this time. UK Right to Work is required. For further guidance on right to work in the UK, please visit: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
- This role requires a DBS disclosure.
Reference: REQ010271