Head of Clinical Services

About Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury is a disability charity offering care, education, vocational and rehab services. The charity also provides residential care, nursing, and supported living.

Within the education sector, Shaftesbury has one school, Shaftesbury Victoria School, and 2 further education colleges, Shaftesbury Millie College and Shaftesbury Nash College. The school is for students aged 3-19, and the colleges are for students aged All students have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), as well as physical and/or intellectual disabilities, and some have profound and complex learning needs.

About the role

Shaftesbury Education Directorate is seeking a Head of Clinical Services (Education). This is a new senior clinical leadership role. You will be the registered professional lead for nursing and all therapy services across our national Education Directorate. The role involves working closely with the Director of Education, Commercial Business Manager, Headteachers, and senior colleagues to deliver outstanding, cost-effective, and sustainable health and therapeutic interventions in specialist education settings for children and young people with complex disabilities. This is a national role, working across our settings in England, with regular travel expected.

You will be responsible for

Providing authoritative, professional leadership, and accountability. Shaping high-quality nursing and therapy services across the Shaftesbury Education Directorate as a member of the Shaftesbury Education Senior Leadership Team.

Contributing to strategic and business planning, commercial tenders, pricing models, and budget setting to ensure services are clinically excellent, commercially viable, and sustainable.

Designing and ensuring the delivery of innovative, effective health and therapy packages, including the exciting development and clinical oversight of our new Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy unit.

Acting as the Directorate's named professional lead for nursing and therapy with CQC, Ofsted, Healthcare Inspectorates, and commissioners.

Essential skills & qualifications

• Current NMC or HCPC registration (no restrictions)
• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field
• Experience leading clinical teams and delivering high-quality care
• Strong communication, organisational, and partnership skills
• Passion for innovation and inclusion
• An interest in animal/equine assisted therapy

Why join us?

• Make a meaningful impact on students' lives.
• Lead the development of a unique animal-assisted therapy programme.
• Grow within a supportive, value-driven team.
• Be part of an organisation committed to equality, inclusion, and professional growth.

Your leadership will directly enhance the wellbeing and independence of children and young people with complex disabilities, allowing you to see the tangible results of your work every day.

Our commitment to safer recruitment, equality, and inclusion

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults; all posts are subject to robust safer recruitment checks. We are an equal opportunities employer and positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender.

Safeguarding

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Shaftesbury Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and staff. It is the responsibility of all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check and will follow our rigorous safer recruitment processes.

Equality and Diversity

Shaftesbury is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

Shaftesbury aims to create and sustain an inclusive work environment which provides equality of opportunity for everyone and reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. The post holder is required to uphold the Equality and Diversity policy and comply with the code of conduct which sets out our standards of behaviour towards those who use our services or work within them.

Application process

Job description and application form on request please contact: Helen Mal at

Closing date: Tuesday 13 January

Interview dates: week commencing Monday 20 January

Early applications are strongly encouraged, and we reserve the right to close the advert should we feel able to appoint an appropriate candidate before the above dates. Visits to the setting are welcomed, and encouraged, by arrangement.