At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop inclusive services for children with SEND and their families.
- Company: Join a dynamic multidisciplinary team in Havering's SEND and Alternative Provision Service.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a mission to improve outcomes for families through innovative practices.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and shape early years support.
- Qualifications: Experience in Early Years or SEND leadership and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 54267 - 58461 £ per year.
Havering SEND and Alternative Provision Service is a multidisciplinary team comprising Educational Psychologists, Advisory Teachers, Early Years Specialists, Counsellors, Occupational Therapists and other specialist professionals. Together, we work collaboratively to support children and young people with SEND, their families, and the educational settings they attend. We are seeking an ambitious and experienced Best Start in Life SEND Manager to join our growing service. This exciting strategic leadership role forms part of the Department for Education's Best Start in Life and Family Hubs Initiative, which aims to improve outcomes for babies, young children and families through joined-up services, early intervention and accessible family support.
As Best Start in Life SEND Manager, you will lead the development and delivery of Havering's Family Hub SEND offer, ensuring children and families can access high-quality, inclusive and impactful support from the earliest stages of development. Through strategic leadership, workforce development, quality assurance and partnership working, you will drive innovation and continuous improvement across services, helping to ensure every child has the best possible start in life.
The Best Start in Life SEND Manager is a strategic leadership role responsible for shaping, delivering and continuously improving an inclusive Family Hub SEND offer across multiple sites. You will provide expert leadership to ensure services are responsive to local need, aligned with Department for Education guidance and national policy, and demonstrably impactful for children, young people and their families.
As part of the DfE Best Start in Life and Family Hubs Initiative, you will strengthen the capacity of practitioners and services through workforce development, specialist training, quality assurance and system leadership. Working across education, health, social care and community services, you will help create sustainable pathways of support and ensure that families receive timely, coordinated and effective SEND provision from pregnancy through to early childhood.
This is an exciting opportunity to influence practice at a strategic level, champion inclusion and drive transformational change across Havering's early years and family support landscape.
Key Responsibilities
The Best Start in Life SEND Manager will:
- Provide strategic leadership for the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the Family Hub SEND offer across Havering.
- Lead, line manage and develop a multidisciplinary SEND workforce, driving high standards of practice, innovation and continuous improvement.
- Ensure services are aligned with Department for Education guidance, local priorities and emerging national policy.
- Drive the enhancement of existing family support services while introducing innovative and evidence-informed approaches to meet evolving community needs.
- Design and implement robust quality assurance frameworks, audits and performance monitoring systems to ensure excellence across all service areas.
- Develop and oversee monitoring and evaluation processes, including parental voice, developmental outcomes and impact measures.
- Lead the analysis and interpretation of service data to inform strategic decision-making, commissioning and service redesign.
- Produce high-quality reports for senior leaders, demonstrating impact, value for money and progress against strategic objectives.
- Oversee the development of innovative resources, digital tools and accessible family support materials.
- Strengthen multi-agency partnerships across education, health, social care and community services to create integrated, family-centred support pathways.
- Lead workforce development priorities, delivering training and supporting practitioners to translate policy into effective frontline practice.
- Champion inclusive practice, accessibility and SEND navigation throughout the Family Hub model.
- Ensure compliance with safeguarding responsibilities, statutory duties and local and national SEND reforms.
- Represent the service at local, regional and national forums, promoting best practice and contributing to sector development.
About You
We are looking for an experienced and motivated leader who:
- Holds a recognised Early Years, Education/ degree-level qualification.
- Has substantial experience of leading services, programmes or projects within Early Years, SEND or family support.
- Has a strong understanding of child development, the Early Years Foundation Stage and school readiness.
- Demonstrates extensive knowledge of SEND pathways and inclusive practice, particularly within early childhood.
- Has experience of line management, strategic planning and service development.
- Can successfully analyse and utilise data to drive service improvement and demonstrate impact.
- Has experience of developing and delivering professional development and training programmes.
- Is skilled in building effective partnerships across education, health, social care and community organisations.
- Has excellent communication, leadership and influencing skills.
- Is committed to improving outcomes for children with SEND and their families through early intervention and inclusive practice.
Why Join Us?
This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping Havering's Best Start in Life and Family Hub SEND offer. As part of a highly skilled and supportive multidisciplinary team, you will lead strategic developments, influence borough-wide practice and contribute to the delivery of the DfE Best Start in Life and Family Hubs Initiative.
If you are a passionate, innovative and strategic leader who is committed to improving outcomes for children with SEND and their families, we would love to hear from you.
Join us in delivering the vision of the DfE Best Start in Life and Family Hubs Initiative, ensuring that families can access the right support at the right time, practitioners are equipped to meet diverse needs, and children with SEND receive the best possible start in life.
An enhanced DBS check is required for this post. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact SEND Early Years Service Manager Natalie Browne on Natalie.Browne@havering.gov.uk.
This post is a permanent post, though has been created linked to the government's Best Start In Life Funding for Local Authorities for which there is currently commitment until the end of August 2029. The closing date for the receipt of applications is 01/09/2026, however interest in this job may be high and we therefore reserve the right to close the vacancy early.
You will be notified if your application has been successful. Interview date to be confirmed.
We want everyone to choose Havering. When you apply for a job with us, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. Our residents and service users come from all walks of life, and so do our employees.
The London Borough of Havering has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.
We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.
Best Start In Life SEND Manager in Romford employer: Borough of Havering
Havering SEND and Alternative Provision Service is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and supportive work environment where passionate professionals can thrive. With a focus on employee growth through tailored induction packages, protected CPD time, and access to state-of-the-art AI tools, staff are empowered to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families. Located in Havering, the service benefits from excellent transport links and flexible working options, making it an ideal place for those dedicated to improving outcomes for children with SEND.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Best Start In Life SEND Manager in Romford
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Borough of Havering.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
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Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Borough of Havering:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Borough of Havering! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Borough of Havering
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
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In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
