Rose Ward
Worksop,Nottinghamshire
Summary
A seasoned professional with extensive expertise in legislation related to SEND, Inclusion, and Safeguarding, adept at applying this knowledge across complex networks. Demonstrates strong leadership and management skills, successfully leading multi-disciplinary teams and partnership organisations. Proven track record in spearheading projects and programmes both internally and externally. Excels under pressure with excellent communication skills, a personable approach, and sound decision-making abilities. Committed to high standards of work with a resourceful, solutions-focused mindset.
Significant experiences across SEND and Inclusion from both an education and local authority perspective.
Experience of leading:
- Statutory Assessment
- SEND Advisory Services
- Inclusion Support
- Multi-Agency Support Teams
- Quality Assurance and Audit
- SEND Improvement Programmes
- SEND Projects
- Governance, Strategy and policy groups
Energetic employee well-versed in strong communication and organisation skills. Seeks solutions to problems and applies extensive analytical knowledge to findings. Adept at multi-tasking, leading group discussions and managing projects.
Committed manager with exceptional leadership, organisational skills and communication abilities leads high-performing cross-functional teams. Leads projects, company operations and business growth.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Head of SEN
Sheffield City Council
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
06.2021 - Current
- Leading and managing a cross section of SEN teams across the local area.
- Working as LANO for the Local Area.
- Developing, leading, implementing and responding to the themes of EHC plan quality assurance and audit.
- Effectively implemented a SEND improvement programme with the area partnership which resulted in a successful Inspection revisit.
- Developed project, programme and portfolio management approaches to develop SEND practices across the partnership.
- Established strong partnership working across the Local Area, including with Schools, Early Years Partners, PCF and ICB.
- Developed strategy and governance arrangements across the local area.
Head of Access and Inclusion
Sheffield City Council
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
04.2020 - 07.2021
- Lead and Managed a cross section of Inclusion Services across the local area.
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance access and inclusion across diverse communities.
- Developed comprehensive training programmes to raise awareness of inclusivity practices.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement effective accessibility measures.
- Advocated for policy changes to promote equitable opportunities for underrepresented groups.
- Conducted assessments to identify barriers and recommend actionable solutions.
- Facilitated workshops to educate staff on best practices in diversity and inclusion.
- Evaluated organisational compliance with accessibility standards and regulations.
- Implemented effective, robust and timely performance management across a cross section of teams.
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
Strategic Commissioning Manager
Sheffield City Council
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
11.2017 - 03.2020
- Lead the co-production of an Early Help Strategy to inform early help and inclusion support.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement commissioning strategies and frameworks.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of service delivery models to ensure alignment with organisational goals.
- Managed and coordinated project commissioning activities, ensuring timely completion.
- Assured quality through rigorous pre-commissioning checks and inspections.
Assistant service manager
Sheffield City Council
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
01.2016 - 10.2017
- Lead and managed a staff team of 40 delivering family support and school inclusion.
- Implemented training programmes for new team members to improve service delivery and efficiency.
- Evaluated service processes and provided feedback for continuous improvement initiatives.
- Facilitated meetings with team members to discuss performance and identify areas for development.
- Trained new staff members to improve the overall service quality.
Team Manager
Sheffield City Council
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
06.2015 - 12.2015
- Lead a team of 17 in delivering support to families, from early years through to post 16. Working in family centres, primary and secondary schools.
- Provided consistent leadership to maintain high levels of team performance and satisfaction.
- Prioritised workload effectively, resulting in timely completion of tasks.
- Enhanced team productivity by implementing effective project management strategies.
- Fostered a positive work environment through effective communication and conflict resolution tactics.
- Led and managed administrative staff to maintain smooth daily operations.
- Coordinated hiring, recruitment and training strategies to build successful administrative team.
Senior learning mentor
Sheffield City Council
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
07.2014 - 06.2015
- Working in the local area, across schools devising inclusive interventions and approaches to learning.
- Collaborated with teachers, ensured the achievement of student's educational goals.
- Led extracurricular activities to promote holistic growth amongst learners.
- Reviewed curriculum materials, ensuring they met individual learner needs and abilities.
- Provided emotional support to struggling students, resulting in improved mental health and wellbeing.
- Enhanced student understanding, utilised a variety of teaching methods tailored to individual learning styles.
- Participated in school meetings and events regularly, fostering a sense of community within the institution.
Learning mentor
Hinde House Primary School
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
07.2013 - 07.2014
- Mentored students by developing tailored learning strategies to enhance educational outcomes.
- Collaborated with educators to design engaging learning materials that supported curriculum goals.
- Facilitated workshops focused on emotional literacy skills and personal development to promote student success.
- Established positive relationships with students, fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment.
- Implemented behaviour management techniques to encourage positive engagement and participation.
- Organised extracurricular activities contributing towards holistic child development.
- Provided individualised support to students in overcoming academic challenges and building confidence.
- Drafted detailed reports on student performance to aid in curriculum development.
Teaching assistant in primary school
Primary Schools across the regions
Nottinghamshire / Derbyshire, Notts and Derbyshire
08.1999 - 07.2013
- Assisted teachers in delivering engaging lessons to enhance student understanding.
- Supporting classroom management by maintaining a positive learning environment for students.
- Organised educational materials and resources to facilitate effective lesson preparation.
- Collaborated with educators to adapt activities for diverse learning needs of students.
- Participated in school events and activities to foster a sense of community among students.
- Monitored student progress and provided feedback to support their academic growth.
- Contributed to development of classroom displays that celebrated student achievements.
- Supported individual children in the classroom and through targeted interventions.
- More latterly taking on planning and teaching responsibilities during teachers PPA time.
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Education
GCSEs -
Portland Comprehensive School
Worksop, Nottinghamshire 09.1993 - 07.1997
NVQ Level 3 - Childcare and Education
NCC Training Partnership - City & Guilds
Nottinghamshire 09.1997 - 08.1999
HND Sport and Exercise Development - Sport and Exercise Development
Lincoln University
Lincolnshire 08.2003 - 07.2004
Programme Management - Programme Management
PWC
Sheffield 09.2023 - 12.2023
Skills
- I have professional knowledge of legislation linked to SEND, Inclusion and Safeguarding which I am able to put into practice across complex networks
- I have leadership and management skills that have enabled me to lead multi-disciplinary teams and partnership organisations
- I have knowledge and practical experience of leading projects and programmes internally and externally to the organisation
- I have the ability to remain calm under pressure, with excellent communication skills, a personable approach and sound decision making
- I am able to provide opportunities for co-production at the strategic planning and individual level
- I am resourceful, have a solutions focused approach, motivated, enthusiastic and always work to a high standard
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Programme Management - Programme Management
PWC
09.2023 - 12.2023
Head of SEN
Sheffield City Council
06.2021 - Current
Head of Access and Inclusion
Sheffield City Council
04.2020 - 07.2021
Strategic Commissioning Manager
Sheffield City Council
11.2017 - 03.2020
Assistant service manager
Sheffield City Council
01.2016 - 10.2017
Team Manager
Sheffield City Council
06.2015 - 12.2015
Senior learning mentor
Sheffield City Council
07.2014 - 06.2015
Learning mentor
Hinde House Primary School
07.2013 - 07.2014
HND Sport and Exercise Development - Sport and Exercise Development
Lincoln University
08.2003 - 07.2004
Teaching assistant in primary school
Primary Schools across the regions
08.1999 - 07.2013
NVQ Level 3 - Childcare and Education
NCC Training Partnership - City & Guilds
09.1997 - 08.1999
GCSEs -
Portland Comprehensive School
09.1993 - 07.1997