At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a multi-disciplinary team to support children and young people with SEND.
- Company: Join Brent Council, a forward-thinking local authority driving SEND reform.
- Benefits: Up to 33 days annual leave, excellent pension, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Passionate about inclusion and collaboration? This role is for you!
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families in your community.
- Qualifications: Qualified teacher or equivalent with significant SEND experience required.
The predicted salary is between 40317 - 62496 £ per year.
Salary range: £40,317 – £62,496 (DOE) p.a. inclusive of London weighting.
Contract: 36 month fixed‑term, fixed end date 31 March 2029.
Hours: 36 hours per week, term‑time working (39 weeks).
Location: Civic centre, with additional sites as required.
Role Overview
We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated professional to lead an innovative locality‑based multi‑disciplinary team (MDT) model, ensuring children and young people with SEND receive timely, coordinated and effective support. You will bring partners together across education, health and care to drive early intervention, strengthen inclusive practice and improve outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate a multi‑disciplinary SEND cluster within the locality.
- Manage referrals and triage processes to ensure timely and effective support.
- Chair MDT meetings and drive collaborative decision‑making.
- Provide expert SEND advice and guidance to schools and professionals.
- Support early intervention approaches to prevent escalation.
- Monitor trends, data and outcomes to support service improvement.
- Help shape and develop Brent’s evolving SEND outreach offer.
The Person
We are looking for a confident, knowledgeable and collaborative professional with a strong commitment to inclusion and improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
You Will
- Be a qualified teacher (QTS) or hold an equivalent relevant professional qualification with significant SEND experience.
- Have a strong understanding of SEND legislation, the SEND Code of Practice and safeguarding responsibilities.
- Bring experience of working across multi‑agency environments and leading collaborative practice.
- Be skilled in leading meetings, managing referrals and making informed decisions in complex situations.
- Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, challenge and support others.
- Have strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
- Be confident analysing data and using insight to drive improvements.
- Be committed to partnership working, early intervention and inclusive practice.
- Show adaptability, curiosity and a proactive approach to service development.
Above all, you will be passionate about making a difference, able to lead with confidence and empathy, and committed to working collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes for children and young people.
Why Join Brent?
This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward‑thinking local authority at the forefront of SEND reform. You will be empowered to influence practice, shape services and drive meaningful change for children, young people and families across the borough.
What We Offer
- Up to 33 days annual leave (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays.
- Excellent pension with generous employer contributions (LGPS).
- Hybrid and flexible working options available for most roles.
- Supportive family‑friendly policies for parents, guardians and carers.
- Health and wellbeing support, including eye test support and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Financial support such as education session, childcare deposit loans and season ticket loans.
- Travel perks including affordable parking nearby, a Cycle to Work scheme and great onsite facilities.
- Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career.
- Access to My Brent Rewards with exclusive discounts on shopping, travel, leisure and entertainment.
- Brent’s positive approach to flexible working.
Application Guidance
Along with your CV, please provide a supporting statement clearly demonstrating how you meet the key criteria outlined in the application guidance attached to this advert. Use examples from your experience to evidence your knowledge, skills and achievements relevant to the role. Applicants should note that CVs alone will not be accepted and applications that do not sufficiently address the essential criteria may not be shortlisted. All applicants will be required to provide a supporting statement and will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check, as well as other employment clearances.
Brent Council values the diversity of its community and encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to safer recruitment and safeguarding and promote the welfare of children and young people. Applicants with disabilities, including non‑visible and mental health conditions, will be welcomed and offered reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. For reasonable adjustments, contact recruitment@brent.gov.uk.
The information we collect will be shared with Cifas to prevent fraud and other unlawful conduct. Further details on how your information will be used and your data protection rights can be found on our website.
Closing date: Sunday 28 June at 23:59.
Area Cluster Coordinator in Wembley employer: Brent Council
Brent Council is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can make a real impact on the lives of children and young people with SEND. With generous annual leave, excellent pension contributions, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, Brent fosters a supportive culture that prioritises professional growth and flexible working arrangements. Join us in shaping innovative services and driving meaningful change within a forward-thinking local authority.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Area Cluster Coordinator in Wembley
✨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 Brent Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Brent Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Brent Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Brent Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Area Cluster Coordinator in Wembley
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 Brent Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Brent Council! 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 Brent Council
✨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.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
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.
