Job Description

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Role: Second in charge of primary - where leadership changes lives.

Full Time | Children's Support Service

Salary: Teacher's Main / Upper Pay Scale plus TLR 2b (£6069 per annum)

Start Date: April 2027 (earlier if possible)

This isn't just another leadership role. This is your chance to make a difference where it matters most.

Every child deserves an exceptional education. Every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and supported. At Children's Support Service, we don't just believe this-we live it every single day.

We're looking for an exceptional Second in Charge of Primary who shares our unwavering commitment to transforming the lives of children with complex SEMH and behaviour needs. This is your opportunity to lead with purpose, inspire with passion, and create lasting change in a setting where your work truly matters.

Your Impact

As Second in Charge of Primary, you won't just manage systems-you'll change lives.

✨ Champion every child's potential - Leading and modelling outstanding teaching that unlocks progress for pupils with complex needs, ensuring no child is left behind

✨ Transform outcomes - Driving measurable improvements in progress, attendance, and behaviour through innovative assessment, targeted intervention and relentless support

✨ Inspire excellence - Developing and empowering our team to be the best educators they can be, creating a culture where outstanding teaching is the norm

✨ Shape futures - Working alongside our exceptional, newly appointed Head of Primary to set the strategic vision that will define the life chances of the children in our care

✨ Make the impossible possible - Breaking down barriers, challenging assumptions, and proving that with the right support, every child can thrive

Why This Role Matters:

In our small community, you won't be a distant figure in an office. You'll know every child's name, their story, their challenges and their triumphs. You'll see the direct impact of your leadership every single day-in the smile of a child who's finally made a breakthrough, in the confidence of a teacher you've mentored, in the gratitude of a family who knows their child is in safe hands.

This is leadership that's personal. Leadership that's purposeful. Leadership that leaves a legacy.

What We're Looking For:

We need someone who:

• Believes in possibility - You see potential where others see challenges, and you refuse to accept that any child can't succeed
• Leads from the front - You model the excellence you expect, rolling up your sleeves and showing your team what outstanding looks like
• Drives results - You use data intelligently to identify needs, track progress, and ensure every intervention makes a real difference
• Leads with heart - You understand that behind every data point is a child, and you're committed to their wellbeing as much as their academic progress
• Inspires others - You have the emotional intelligence and communication skills to motivate, develop, and bring out the best in your team
• Brings energy and resilience - You thrive in a fast-paced environment and stay focused on what matters, even when the going gets tough

What You'll Bring

• Qualified Teacher Status and a track record of excellent teaching in primary education, ideally from a mainstream setting.
• Proven leadership experience or clear leadership potential, with the ability to inspire and develop others
• Strong understanding of assessment, intervention strategies and how to use data to drive improvement
• The courage to challenge, the wisdom to listen and the determination to make things better

Why Join Us?

At Children's Support Service, you'll find:

• Purpose - Work that genuinely changes lives with some of the most vulnerable children in Essex.
• Community - A small, tight-knit team where everyone knows each other and supports one another, 100% of staff agree they are proud to be a member of our Service and 98% feel supported by SLT (Staff Survey Autumn Term 2026)
• Growth - Real opportunities to develop your leadership skills and shape the future direction of our primary provision. 98% of staff feel they are given opportunities to professionally develop (Staff Survey Autumn Term 2026)
• Autonomy - The freedom to innovate, try new approaches, and lead with creativity
• Impact - The satisfaction of knowing that your work today will shape children's futures for years to come

Your wellbeing is our priority

At Children's Support Service, we believe that exceptional care for children starts with exceptional care for our team.

Our staff survey results speak for themselves:

• 100% of staff feel their wellbeing is genuinely supported
• 98% of staff successfully balance their work and home life (Staff Survey, Autumn Term 2026)

What we offer:

Wellbeing day

Every member of staff is entitled to one wellbeing day per year - a dedicated day to focus on yourself, no questions asked.

Staff wellbeing committee
Our established wellbeing committee leads year-round initiatives designed by staff, for staff, ensuring your voice shapes our wellbeing culture.

Flexibility for working families
We understand that your own children matter too. We offer genuine flexibility so you don't have to miss the moments that count - whether that's a sports day, nativity play or when childcare arrangements breakdown and you need to complete the school run.

Join a team that values you

When you work at CSS, you're not just another member of staff - you're part of a community that recognises the importance of sustainable, fulfilling work. We know that when our team thrives, our children thrive too.

Ready to Lead Where It Matters Most?

If you're passionate about making a real difference, if you believe every child deserves the very best, and if you're ready to bring your energy, expertise, and heart to a role that will challenge and inspire you in equal measure-we want to hear from you.

This is more than a job. This is a calling.

Our Commitment to Safer Recruitment

Children's Support Service is wholly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are a safer recruitment employer who will prioritise safeguarding throughout our recruitment process. We follow rigorous safer recruitment practices at every stage to ensure we appoint only those who are suitable to work with children.

What this means for you:

Before you apply:

• This position is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, meaning you must disclose all convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings (including those that are 'spent')
• It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from working with children

During the recruitment process:

• At least two members of our interview panel will be involved in shortlisting, and at least one member has undertaken accredited safer recruitment training.
• We will ask you safeguarding-related questions during your interview.
• We will request references before your interview, giving us the opportunity to discuss any areas of concern with.
• You will be asked to complete a self-declaration form regarding your suitability to work with children

If successful:

• Any job offer will be conditional upon satisfactory completion of all pre-employment safeguarding checks.
• You will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check with children's barred list information Recruitment checks.
• We will conduct a prohibition from teaching check to ensure you are not prohibited or restricted from teaching.
• We will verify your identity, qualifications, right to work in the UK, and professional references
• All pre-appointment checks will be recorded on our single central record

We are committed to creating a safe environment where children can thrive, and our recruitment process reflects this priority. If you have any questions about our safer recruitment procedures, please don't hesitate to ask.

Diversity and Inclusion:

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. We make recruitment decisions based solely on merit, and we are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process.

If you would like toarrange a visit to view our Centre, please contact Sophie Hall - PA to Head of Service: sophie.hall@css-essex.co.uk

Information about the School

The Children’s Support Service is a short stay alternative provision in Essex. We educate and support children from KS1 - KS4 as well as providing an outreach service which works to support students, staff and schools in the local area. Our schools are based in Basildon (secondary) and Wickford (primary and secondary).

Our Medical Education Team work across South and West Essex and focus on not only educating children and young people but crucially reintegrating our students back into their mainstream school.

We now offer, in partnership with Essex Local Authority Education Access Team, an education and reintegration programme for students who have been permanently excluded from any part of Essex back to their local mainstream school.

Most of our students are referred to us due to challenges they may have faced in school; many come with additional needs and require academic, emotional and social support. We pride ourselves on overcoming these challenges and ensuring every student is successful.

We offer a wide range of subjects and match a mainstream setting through our core curriculum offer. At the same time, as a 'needs -led' provision we offer extensive enrichment opportunities to our students.

We collaborate with schools and professionals who need our support, and aim to reintegrate students back into mainstream education or prepare them for other lifelong learning opportunities.

Our staff create positive, safe, caring and supportive learning environments, helping to inspire every child to 'be the best they can be.'

CSS staff benefit from flexible working arrangements, our subscription to an Employee Assistance Programme, which provides mental health and well-being support services for all staff, including 24/7 access to advice, support and counselling for our whole team.

Please note that car insurance including "business use" is required.