At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead SEND Inclusion Officers and oversee EHC assessments in a dynamic educational environment.
- Company: Sheffield City Council, committed to inclusive education and community-focused services.
- Benefits: Generous holiday entitlement, flexible working options, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to service improvement and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families through inclusive education leadership.
- Qualifications: Experience in SEND processes, strong communication skills, and leadership in challenging environments.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced SEND leader with a strong grasp of statutory responsibilities and a passion for inclusive, place‑based education?
About the role
This is a critical leadership post within a complex statutory service. You will:
- Provide day‑to‑day operational leadership to SEND Inclusion Officers within a defined locality or localities
- Oversee the quality, timeliness and compliance of EHC assessments, plans and reviews
- Support consistency and confidence in the delivery of the graduated approach, aligned to SEND reform expectations
- Lead and support staff through supervision, performance management and reflective practice
- Manage and resolve complex and high‑risk cases, including escalation and dispute resolution
- Work closely with education, health and care partners to support integrated, locality‑based solutions
- Contribute to service improvement, performance monitoring and reform implementation
You will act as a visible and credible leader, supporting schools and partners while maintaining clear accountability for statutory processes.
About the service
The SENDSARS team is responsible for statutory SEND processes, including EHC assessments, planning and placement decisions, working in close partnership with families and a wide range of professionals. This is a pivotal time for the service as we continue a programme of transformational change, responding to SEND reform and delivering focused improvements following the CQC Local Area SEND inspection. Sheffield is embedding a locality model to:
- strengthen early intervention and inclusion
- improve consistency and equity across the city
- ensure children, young people and families experience a more joined‑up system
The Assistant Service Manager will play a key role in translating reform principles into high‑quality operational practice at locality level.
About you
We are looking for a leader who:
- Has strong experience of statutory SEND processes, including EHC needs assessments and plans
- Has an excellent standard of written and verbal communication
- Can make sound, lawful decisions in complex and emotionally demanding situations
- Understands and champions inclusive education and locality‑based working
- Has experience of leading staff and managing performance in a pressured environment
- Is confident working across multi‑agency systems and building effective professional relationships
- Is organised, resilient and able to lead through change
- Experience of contributing to service improvement, SEND reform activity or inspection response work is highly desirable.
Enquiries
For full details, please refer to the job description and person specification. Informal conversations are warmly welcomed. Please contact the service manager Lisa Eyre on lisa.eyre@sheffield.gov.uk
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under‑represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.
Equal opportunity
Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form. Sometimes, if lots of people apply, we might not be able to interview everyone who qualifies for the Guarantee. In these cases, we’ll interview the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.
Benefits and working hours
Full‑time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share. If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade. Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. Find out more on our Sheff news page.
Assistant Service Manager employer: Beighton
Sheffield City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its staff. As an Assistant Service Manager within the SENDSARS team, you will benefit from flexible working arrangements, generous holiday entitlement, and opportunities for professional growth while playing a pivotal role in transforming local education services. The Council values diversity and actively promotes equal opportunities, ensuring that all employees can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Service Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the SEND community and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of statutory SEND processes. Be ready to discuss how you’ve led teams through change and improved service delivery – they’ll want to hear your success stories!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! During interviews, highlight your experience in managing performance and resolving complex cases. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you’ve made a difference in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Service Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your SEND Expertise:Make sure to highlight your experience with statutory SEND processes in your application. We want to see how you've successfully managed EHC assessments and plans, so don’t hold back on those details!
Communicate Clearly:Your written communication skills are key for this role. Use clear and concise language in your application to demonstrate your ability to convey complex information effectively. Remember, we’re looking for clarity and professionalism!
Tailor Your Application:Take the time to tailor your application to the job description. We love seeing candidates who understand our mission and can connect their experiences to the specific responsibilities of the Assistant Service Manager role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Beighton
✨Know Your SEND Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of statutory SEND processes, especially EHC assessments and plans. Brush up on the latest SEND reforms and be ready to discuss how they impact your approach to inclusive education.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams and managing performance under pressure. Think about specific situations where you've successfully supported staff through change or resolved complex cases.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, both verbally and in writing. You might be asked to explain complex concepts, so being able to communicate effectively with various stakeholders is key.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
Be ready to discuss how you've worked across multi-agency systems in the past. Highlight your ability to build effective professional relationships and contribute to integrated solutions for families and children.
