SEND Innovation & Partnerships Lead

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for innovation and improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND? Do you thrive on collaboration, data-driven insight, and leading change? If so, we’d love to hear from you.

About The Role

This is a pivotal leadership role within Cornwall Council’s Inclusion and SEND Service. As SEND Innovation & Partnerships Lead, you will work closely with the Head of Inclusion and SEND to drive service improvement, lead innovation, and strengthen strategic partnerships across the SEND system.

You will lead a newly formed team focused on data intelligence and communication, ensuring robust systems are in place to manage and share SEND data. You’ll also play a key role in shaping future planning through horizon scanning, data visualisation, and strategic reporting. This role includes delegated decision-making responsibilities.

About The Service

Cornwall Council’s Children and Family Services are committed to ensuring every child and young person receives the support they need to thrive. The Inclusion and SEND Service is at the heart of this mission, working to deliver high-quality, inclusive education and support for learners with additional needs.

About The Team

You’ll be joining a forward-thinking, collaborative team that values innovation, partnership, and continuous improvement. We work closely with families, education providers, health services, and national partners to ensure the best possible outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading innovation and improvement initiatives across the SEND service.
• Managing a team responsible for SEND data, communication, and intelligence.
• Building and maintaining strategic partnerships with key stakeholders including the DfE, NHS, and regional networks.
• Supporting the Head of Inclusion and SEND with delegated decision-making and strategic planning.
• Championing the SEND Local Offer and ensuring effective communication with families and professionals.
• Using data insight to inform service development and future planning.

What You’ll Need To Succeed

• A degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g. Social Work, Teaching, Psychology).
• Substantial experience in children’s services, particularly in SEND.
• Strong knowledge of SEND legislation and local authority responsibilities.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage change, and drive continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working in partnership with families, education, health, and care professionals.

What You’ll Get In Return

• A competitive salary and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Generous annual leave and flexible working arrangements.
• Ongoing professional development and support for further qualifications.
• The opportunity to shape the future of SEND provision in Cornwall.

Please read the role profile for the full details of this role attached below in this advert.

Cornwall Council’s ambition is to be an employer of choice, a high performing Council and a learning organisation. We commit to providing a reward and benefits package to attract, motivate and reward our employees. We offer a range of flexible working options to our staff. This helps provide our employees with a greater work/life balance. Whilst still ensuring that service needs are met.

Additional Information

Please note, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. The full role profile is attached here. We recommend saving a copy of this to refer to if you are invited to an interview.

For more information or an informal chat about the role please contact Rachel Delourme - rachel.delourme@cornwall.gov.uk.

Application Process

Please attach a supporting statement to your application, you can add your Education & Qualifications details manually using the application form timeline or you can upload your CV. Remember to demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points marked as ‘Application’ on the Role Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had.

Guidance on how to complete your application can be found here – The application process. Please note that applications cannot be edited after they have been submitted, please contact careers@cornwall.gov.uk if you have any queries or require assistance with your application.

Existing employees must apply using their Cornwall Council email address through the Opportunity Marketplace on Oracle.