The Difference is an education charity, founded to change the story on lost learning. Our vision is to see lost learning falling nationally by 2030 and for schools to be better equipped to support all children, particularly those most vulnerable. Leading national policy strategy As Head of Policy you will work closely with the CEO to develop and execute a four-year influencing plan. Together we''ll aim to shift local and national incentives on inclusion by 2030, which see the national trend of rising suspension and absence begin to fall. You will hold relationships with the Department for Education and Ofsted and advise on policy priorities ahead, such as: Widening the definition of inclusion beyond special needs, recognising the needs of those young people historically or currently interacting with social services Reducing perverse incentives for schools to alter their school roll through admissions and pupil exits Expectations for multi-academy trusts in capturing and analysing data on lost learning, including how it disproportionately affects different groups Improving local alternative provision eco-systems, to improve outcomes for young people National standards for inclusive school practice, at a universal and targeted level Professional development standards for school inclusion Developing implementation expertise in the middle tier In your first six months, you will advise on the internal development of a new programme for middle tier polic