Service Lead - SEND & Alternative Provision in Blackburn

Blackburn Full-Time On-site

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Terms and Conditions: Full time, Permanent, 37 hours per week
Department: People
Interview date: 30th November 2026

Due the previous post holder securing a promotion, we are seeking an experienced and ambitious leader to join our SEND leadership team as Service Lead - SEND and Alternative Provision (AP). This is an exciting opportunity to lead strategic improvement across SEND and AP services and make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people aged 0-25.

Reporting to the Head of Service, you will lead statutory SEND services, SEND support services, sufficiency planning and Alternative Provision, ensuring high-quality services, strong partnership working and compliance with statutory responsibilities. You will play a key role in driving service transformation, managing significant resources and budgets, and delivering improved outcomes for children, young people and families.

We are looking for someone who:

Has substantial senior leadership experience within Education, Health or Social Care.
Has a proven track record of leading change and service improvement.
Can develop strong partnerships across education, health, social care and wider stakeholders.
Has a strong understanding of SEND legislation, statutory duties and inclusion.
Is committed to achieving the best outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

In return, we offer the opportunity to work within an ambitious authority committed to inclusion, innovation and continuous improvement, underpinned by our values of Trust, Respect, Ambition, Collaboration and Kindness.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact:

John Holt (Head of Service SEND & AP) via john.holt@blackburn.gov.uk