Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Teams Manager

Salary: GBP 64,639.00 - 72,250.00 per year

Details
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*PLEASE NOTE* Cyngor Gwynedd is committed to being an inclusive employer, and to enhancing the diversity of the workforce. Your application form will be assessed anonymously. Your title, name and email address will not be shared with the appointing panel for the purpose of shortlisting. You should carefully consider this when completing the further information section of the application form.

Gwynedd Council offers an attractive employment package, for more information please click on this Information Pack

Gwynedd Council operates internally through the medium of Welsh, and offers all its services bilingually. The applicant will be required to reach the linguistic level noted as one of the essential skills in the Person Specification.

We encourage everyone who applies for a job with Gwynedd Council to submit job applications in Welsh or bilingually.

( Applications submitted in English only or Welsh only will always be treated equally, but we ask applicants to consider carefully what the linguistic requirements of the job in question is and if it would be more appropriate to submit an application in Welsh.)

For further information about this post please contact Ffion Edwards Ellis on ffionedwardsellis@gwynedd.llyw.cymru or 01286 679007.

Interviews will be held before 18/07/2026

Application forms are available from Support Service, Gwynedd Council, Council Offices, Caernarfon, LL55 1SH

Tel: 01286 679076

E-Mail: Swyddi@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

CLOSING DATE: 06/07/2026

The Council will request a Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service for the successful candidate.

If you are successful to be short listed for an interview you will be contacted by E-MAIL using the address provided on your application form. You need to ensure that you check your email regularly.

Person Specification

PERSONAL FEATURES

ESSENTIAL

The ability to communicate effectively, make decisions and present a clear vision;

Excellent interpersonal skills

The ability to work under pressure and meet time limits.

DESIRABLE

-

RELEVANT QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

ESSENTIAL

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Degree level qualification.

Evidence of continuing professional development in ALN and Inclusion

Understanding of ALN and Tribunal Act Wales (2018).

DESIREABLE

-

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

Experience of leading, motivating and managing staff

Successful teaching experience

Experience of strategic planning and leading change.

DESIREABLE

-

SPECIALIST SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

ESSENTIAL

Knowledge and understanding of the main educational and legal issues and developments facing schools and authorities in the field of ALN and Inclusion

Ability to operate within a framework of regulations and to interpret and apply relevant legislation

A solid understanding of the ethos and values that ensure inclusive and successful schools

A person with the ability to achieve a mission, create a vision and establish a strategic direction

Ability to manage change and plan the future of Services.

DESIREABLE

-

LANGUAGE NEEDS

Listening and Speaking - Higher Level

Able to follow a conversation or discussion through the medium of Welsh and English on a professional level and discuss general day to day topics in the field in order to present information and express opinions. Able to give a pre-prepared presentation and respond to any comments and questions on it in Welsh or English.

Reading and Understanding - Higher Level

Able to understand standard written Welsh and English; both formal and informal. Able to gather information from various sources such as letters, reports, articles through the medium of Welsh and English in order to fulfil the post.

Writing - Higher Level

Present written information confidently by letter, more detailed and technical report formats, and respond to written requests conveying information, ideas and opinion in Welsh and English (help is available to check the work).

Job Description

Purpose of the Post.

• Ensure that the people of Gwynedd are at the heart of everything we do.
• To ensure that the children and young people of Gwynedd are central to everything we do.
• To act as a Service Manager on behalf of the Gwynedd Department of Education and to contribute to the development of pupils within and outside schools and to work with associated children's services, to that end. To contribute significantly to the main aim of the Authorities which is to ensure that all our pupils achieve their full potential.
• To lead within the area noted within the ALn and Inclusion Team.
• To have responsibility for managing the day-to-day budget of specific services.
• Participate in formal reviews and also be responsible for regular visits to schools as part of a proactive routine reporting on strengths and areas that need attention.
• Assisting schools in their own self-appraisal
• Developing and implementing the role of local authorities in raising standards by challenging and supporting schools.

Responsibility for functions. e.g. staff, budgets, equipment

• Responsibility for Staff, finances and resources of:
• Early Years Team
• ABC Team
• Communication and Interaction Team
• Sensory/Physical Medical Impairment Team
• Specific ALN Team
• The Authority's ALN Resource Centres.

Main Duties

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Leading and Managing People

• Motivate, encourage and empower your staff by effectively delegating work and by creating an atmosphere of respect, collaboration and risk-taking. Provide direction and feedback to your staff by effectively transmitting vision while focusing on service delivery.

Resource Management

• Planning and monitoring to ensure quality service and continuous improvement. Provide value for money through the purchase, prioritisation, management and monitoring of the effective use of resources recognising that knowledge, ability and skills are also resources.

Quality Assurance

• Regularly visit schools as part of a proactive routine reporting on strengths and areas that need attention in provision for pupils with Additional Learning Needs.

Performance and Development

• Identify the strengths and areas of development of your staff through constant supervision and the Council's evaluation process. Focus on improving performance through effective management and development and by measuring, monitoring and evaluating performance. Implement and develop business plans that reflect this.

Problem Solving

• Making things happen by making meaningful decisions and responding effectively to priorities as they change.

Communication

• Share and listen to information, opinions and ideas without preconception by using appropriate communication methods. Increase motivation by using inclusive communication that values the feelings of others.

Awareness of the context

• Understand and work effectively within the Council's political framework and be aware of the issues that impact on service delivery at different levels. Build relationships with others to benefit from best practice in order to improve provision to service users.

Self-management

• Set an example for others by being proactive, honest and steadfast and taking responsibility for your own actions and development. Ensure compliance with professional standards.

MAIN DUTIES AND KEY TASKS

ALN and Inclusion Management Team

• Work with the Assistant Headteacher ALN and I to determine and strengthen the strategic direction of the Departments and provide guidance to officers.
• Contribute to the primary and secondary strategic groups.

Department for Education Management Team

• Lead discussions on specific aspects of the Departments' Business Plan.
• To contribute to a wide range of strategic developments discussed by the members leading and acting as demand.
• Introducing specific areas to members and leading discussions.
• Contribute to the departmental self-evaluation procedures and promote and foster a culture of regular review of service quality and performance.
• Leading the developmental work derived from 2.4 above.

Additional Learning Needs Service

• To act as a Manager with direct responsibility for this complex area and continue to organise and develop it in conjunction with the ALN Assistant Head in order to provide a high quality service to the pupils in our schools.
• Act as a manager for the Team Leaders of the ALN teams including professional guidance for teachers within the service.
• Managing a day-to-day budget that is involved in this area.
• To ensure the quality of the provision provided within the ALN Centres, and to ensure that the provision offered is in line with need.
• Manage and contribute to the professional development of the central teams and specific officers within the ALN services.
• To contribute to the necessary information as required in dispute resolution processsay and appeals before the ALN Tribunal.
• Carry out regular appraisals of the effectiveness and efficiency of the relevant ALN Services, and the progress of learners receiving input.
• To ensure that the Service is always responsive to the requirements of its users.
• Undertake further professional training that will be necessary for the effective and efficient operation of the Education Service in accordance with a professional development plan.
• To be prepared to realise developments in this area locally, at Gwynedd level and within the North Wales Consortium.
• Delegate to the Assistant Headteacher ALN and I to represent the Authorities in the developing discussions at regional and national level.
• To chair and promote the work of specific groups and working groups
• Delegate to the Assistant Head of ALN and I as necessary to ensure collaboration with other Managers to co-develop strategic leadership in all aspects of multi-agency work.

Swansea

• Collaborate with the Assistant Head of ALN and I in the corporate areas relating to children and young people.
• Responding to requests to represent the Departments on committees/working groups
• To contribute to working groups and meetings established by the Gwynedd and Anglesey Authorities for special purposes and to the strategies of both Authorities in relation to developments in the field of ALN.
• Prepare and submit reports to the attention of the Assistant Headteacher who will in turn bring to the attention of Council committees including Scrutiny Committees as appropriate.
• Work with the Cabinet/Portfolio Members and Elected Members, and offer professional guidance and advice as required.
• Ensure compliance with Safeguarding and Health and Safety at work rules in accordance with guidance from the All Wales Safeguarding Children Guidance, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council's Health and Safety Policy
• Acting in the context of the Council's policy and procedures from an Equal Opportunities and Equality perspective.

Other Duties

• Responsibility for self-development.
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety rules in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council's Health and Safety Policy.
• Operate within the Council's policies in relation to equal opportunities and equality.
• Responsible for managing information in accordance with the Council's information management guidelines. Ensure that personal information is treated in accordance with Data Protection legislation.
• Commitment to reducing the Council's carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council's Carbon Footprint.
• Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds to the salary level and responsibility level of the job.
• Responsibility to report any concern or suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused.

Special Circumstances. e.g. the need to work unsociable hours, special working arrangements etc.

• Some meetings are held after normal working hours.