At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform SEND services to support children and young people effectively.
- Company: Forward-thinking Local Authority committed to inclusive education.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on continuous improvement and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children with SEND while driving positive change.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in SEND leadership and knowledge of relevant legislation.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Head of Service - SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
Location
Hybrid / Remote Working Available
Contract
- Full-Time | Interim
About the Role - We are seeking an exceptional
Head of Service - SEND to provide strategic leadership across Special Educational Needs and Disabilities services within a forward-thinking Local Authority.
Reporting to the Director of Education or Assistant Director for Inclusion, you will lead the delivery of statutory SEND services, drive transformational change, and ensure that children and young people with SEND receive high-quality support that enables them to achieve positive outcomes.
This is a senior leadership role requiring substantial experience of SEND legislation, service improvement, inspection readiness, and partnership working across education, health and social care.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership
- Provide strategic leadership for the Local Authority's SEND service.
- Lead the development and implementation of the SEND Strategy and Improvement Plan.
- Drive a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and high performance.
- Ensure services are fully compliant with statutory responsibilities and national legislation.
- Operational Management
- Oversee the delivery of Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs), Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), SEND Tribunals, Mediation and Casework Services.
- Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams, including SEND Managers, Team Managers and Operational Leads.
- Monitor service performance and ensure statutory timescales and quality standards are achieved.
- Manage complex and high-profile cases, complaints and escalations.
- Ofsted & CQC Readiness
- Lead preparation for Ofsted and CQC Area SEND inspections.
- Oversee implementation of inspection findings and improvement actions.
- Ensure robust quality assurance frameworks are in place.
- Drive improvements in outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
- Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement
- Develop strong relationships with schools, academies, parent carer forums, health partners and social care services.
- Represent the Local Authority at regional and national SEND forums.
- Provide strategic advice to elected members, senior leaders and partnership boards.
- Champion co-production with children, young people and families.
- Financial & Resource Management
- Lead SEND budgets and resource planning.
- Ensure effective commissioning and deployment of SEND provision.
- Identify efficiencies while maintaining service quality and statutory compliance.
- Contribute to High Needs Block planning and sustainability.
Essential Requirements
- Significant senior leadership experience within a Local Authority SEND service.
- Extensive knowledge of the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice and associated legislation.
- Proven experience leading large-scale SEND improvement programmes.
- Track record of improving performance against EHCP statutory timescales and quality measures.
- Experience leading preparation for Ofsted/CQC inspections.
- Strong understanding of SEND Tribunals, mediation and dispute resolution.
- Experience managing substantial budgets and complex services.
- Excellent stakeholder management, leadership and influencing skills.
Desirable Requirements
- Relevant leadership or management qualification.
- Experience in education, social care or wider children's services leadership.
- Experience leading services through significant organisational change.
- Knowledge of commissioning, alternative provision and inclusion strategies.
Eden Brown Synergy is an equal opportunities employer.
Eden Brown Limited is a limited company registered in England and Wales with registered number 3643845.
Our registered address is 5th floor 4 Coleman Street, London, EC2R 5AR, part of n GAGE Specialist Recruitment Limited T/A n GAGE Talent.
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Head of Service - SEND employer: Eden Brown Synergy Careers
Join our vibrant college community in Greater Manchester, where we prioritise a supportive and collaborative work culture that fosters both personal and professional growth. As an Animal Care Lecturer, you will not only have the opportunity to inspire the next generation of animal care professionals but also benefit from competitive pay and a commitment to maintaining high standards in education and animal welfare. Our focus on continuous improvement and enrichment activities ensures that you will thrive in an environment dedicated to excellence and innovation.
Contact Details:
Eden Brown Synergy Careers Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service - SEND
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service - SEND
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