Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team supporting primary pupils with diverse needs and improve their behaviour and wellbeing.
- Company: Join Coventry City Council, a vibrant and inclusive organisation dedicated to community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy professional development, a supportive team, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Shape educational provision creatively while working in a diverse and empowering environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in primary education and supporting children with SEND is essential.
- Other info: Guaranteed interviews for specific groups; commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, accepting of all, and free from discrimination and bias.
Our Values
- Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
- Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
- Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
- Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
- Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
- Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.
What is the job role?
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the well-respected SEMHL team in Coventry as a Lead Outreach Key Specialist Practitioner (KSP). You will lead a team of outreach specialists who work within the Key settings and in primary schools across the city.
We can offer you:
- A supportive and friendly team of colleagues
- Excellent professional development opportunities
- An opportunity to make a difference to children and families
- The chance to have a role in creatively shaping provision within an established and well-respected service
The main function of the role is to support primary pupils who are placed through the Fair Access Protocol (FAP) panel or have been permanently excluded. The aim is to support a successful transition into their next setting either by delivering this direct work yourself or supervising the work of other KSPs in the team, offering supervision, guidance, and monitoring the effectiveness of the offer.
Working with identified pupils to provide quality intervention that improves their behaviour, attendance, wellbeing, and achievement through our traded outreach service. You will be expected to work with children who may have a range of SEND needs, including cognitive, physical, SEMH, and communication difficulties. You will need to be able to work on your own initiative with families, schools, management, staff, relevant professionals, and other agencies. You will also be expected to vary the support offered to pupils, to meet their individual needs and the needs of the provider. This could include setting up and attending meetings, writing plans, delivering intervention, mentoring, and modelling strategies.
This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Who are we looking for?
To be successful in this role, we are looking for someone:
- Who is personally resilient
- Able to manage a small team of colleagues
- Can assign caseloads to the relevant practitioner
- Can build relationships quickly and not take behaviour personally
- To be empathetic and patient
- To be positive and affirming
- To be solution-focused
- To be a good team player
- To be a good communicator
- To have experience in a primary school or service setting
- To have experience in supporting primary-aged children in all four areas of SEND
Discussions are warmly welcomed. Please contact Dawn Neale (dawn.neale@coventry.gov.uk) or Marie Rowley (marie.rowley@coventry.gov.uk) at the Key.
For full details on the application process, please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'.
Interview date: Observation, task, and panel interview on Tuesday 3rd June 2025.
Following recommendations from Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) for an additional pre-employment check with effect from 1 Sept 2022, please note, an online search may form part of this recruitment process.
If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care or have previously been in care
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition
For full details on the application process, please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'.
If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.
About Coventry
Coventry has a proud, innovative, and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change. We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant, and diverse. At Coventry, we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5,100 staff from a range of backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together, and find better ways of doing things. To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities. If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package.
To find out more, please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies.
Lead Key Specialist Practitioner employer: Coventry City Council
Contact Detail:
Coventry City Council Recruiting Team
dawn.neale@coventry.gov.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Key Specialist Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the One Coventry Values and ensure you can articulate how your personal values align with them. This will show that you are not only a good fit for the role but also for the organisational culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your experience with diverse groups, particularly in relation to SEND needs. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully supported children from various backgrounds, as this aligns with their commitment to inclusivity.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've managed teams or projects in the past. Be ready to discuss how you foster collaboration and support your colleagues, which is crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the Fair Access Protocol (FAP) and be prepared to discuss how you would approach supporting pupils who have been excluded. Showing your understanding of this process will set you apart as a knowledgeable candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Key Specialist Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing your application, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Lead Key Specialist Practitioner role. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job description.
Showcase Your Experience: Emphasise your experience in supporting primary-aged children, particularly those with SEND needs. Provide specific examples of how you've successfully managed similar situations or roles in the past.
Highlight Your Values: Since the organisation values diversity and inclusion, make sure to reflect these principles in your application. Share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your commitment to creating an inclusive environment.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Coventry City Council
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Inclusion
Given the company's strong focus on diversity and inclusion, be sure to highlight your own experiences and perspectives that align with these values. Share examples of how you've fostered an inclusive environment in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Team Leadership Skills
As a Lead Key Specialist Practitioner, you'll be managing a small team. Prepare to discuss your leadership style and provide specific examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in challenging situations.
✨Demonstrate Empathy and Resilience
The role requires someone who is empathetic and resilient. Be ready to share stories that illustrate your ability to connect with children and families, especially those facing difficulties, and how you’ve maintained your composure under pressure.
✨Prepare for Practical Tasks and Observations
Since the interview includes observation and practical tasks, practice relevant scenarios beforehand. Think about how you would approach supporting a child with SEND needs and be prepared to demonstrate your strategies during the interview.
