I have worked in education since 1995, both in mainstream and complex needs schools. I was a member of the senior leadership team in a Norfolk Complex Need School for sixteen years, latterly as Head teacher, and saw the school through four outstanding Ofsted inspections. The school expanded to include post 16 provision, and I was fortunate to have the opportunity to set up and run Pathways College, a bespoke independence provision ensuring successful transition for young people with complex needs making the move from school into Further Education.

Since leaving Headship I have worked as a Transformation Officer for the Local Authority representing the Complex Needs sector in the commissioning of Speech and Language provision, as a Stage 2 SEND Investigating Officer and supporting the auditing process for complex needs schools. As an Independent SEND advisor, I have supported the restructuring of the leadership and management of a complex needs school and reviewed the school’s graduated approach to meeting the needs of current and future pupils. I have also supported colleagues in the Local Authority in the introduction of the INDES (Identification of Need and Inclusive Provision) and IPSEF (Inclusion and provision Self Evaluation Framework) to ensure a common language when describing children’s needs and to ensure settings have the information they need to plan for emerging needs of their cohort. Latterly I have overseen a review of the Local Authority needs assessment process.

As an Associate of CEPP I can offer support to settings in the following areas:

• Leadership and Management
• School’s graduated approach to meeting the needs of their SEND cohort
• Senior leadership capacity
• Preparing for Ofsted
• Safeguarding

Enquiries to office@cepp.co.uk or bob.holderness@cepp.co.uk