At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead SEND improvements and drive strategic transformation for children's services.
- Company: Slough Borough Council, dedicated to enhancing education and support for children.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, impactful work, and the chance to make a difference.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant professional growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of SEND services and positively impact children and families.
- Qualifications: Proven senior leadership experience in SEND or children's services improvement.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Temporary Contract
Job Details
- Service Area: Children's Services – Education
- Hours: 37 hours per week
- Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 17:30
- Start Date: 01 May 2026
- End Date: 31 August 2026
- Closing Date: 30 April 2026 at 10:00
- Location: Office Base: Observatory House, 25 Windsor Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 2 EJ
- PAYE Rate: £518.56 per day
- Equivalent Hourly Rate: £70.08 per hour
Job Overview
Slough Borough Council is seeking an experienced Interim Head of SEND Improvements to provide senior leadership capacity and strategic programme oversight across SEND improvement activity. This role will focus on delivering the Priority Improvement Action Plan, driving strategic transformation of SEND services, strengthening partnership working and ensuring improvement activity is aligned, accountable and delivering impact for children, young people and families. The successful candidate will lead cross-cutting improvement work, bringing together multiple interdependent plans and enabler workstreams across data, ICT, co-production, governance and operational change.
Important – Please Read Carefully
This role requires senior-level SEND improvement and transformation experience. You must have a strong track record of leading large-scale SEND, education or children’s services improvement programmes, including work linked to inspection outcomes, governance, data improvement and stakeholder engagement. Candidates without relevant senior SEND improvement experience are unlikely to be considered.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the implementation of the Priority Improvement Action Plan across SEND services
- Translate multiple improvement plans and interdependent workstreams into a coherent strategic action and resource plan
- Align activity, resources and accountability against a single improvement framework
- Accelerate data cleansing and dashboard development to improve visibility of SEND provision, quality and performance
- Review governance and quality assurance arrangements to strengthen oversight and accountability
- Develop a clear strategic narrative for decision makers, including risks, mitigations and delivery confidence
- Engage proactively with parent-carer forums, partners and stakeholders to support co-production and rebuild trust
- Work closely with commissioners to reduce the risk of non-compliance with the Children and Families Act 2014 and best value duties
- Support rapid operational change and culture shift across SEND services
- Drive cost-effective service delivery and improved outcomes for children and young people with SEND
Essential Experience & Skills
- Strong track record of achievement at senior leadership level
- Good understanding of SEND policy, legislation and inspection challenges
- Proven success in managing large-scale, complex transformation programmes
- Experience working within SEND, education, health or children's services improvement
- Strong strategic planning and programme delivery skills
- Experience leading governance, quality assurance and performance improvement activity
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Experience facilitating change, promoting new ways of working and driving culture change
- Financial understanding of high-needs funding, commissioning and complex-needs-led budgets
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, including with senior leaders, parents and carers
Additional Information
Enhanced DBS and barred list check will be required on offer acceptance.
Job Reference: RQ
Interim head of send improvements in London employer: Fix Space Recruitment Ltd
Slough Borough Council is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can make a significant impact on the lives of children and families in the community. With a strong focus on professional development and collaboration, employees are encouraged to grow their skills while working on transformative SEND improvement initiatives. Located in the heart of Slough, the council promotes a supportive culture that values innovation and partnership, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim head of send improvements in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the SEND sector! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your past successes in SEND improvements. Share specific examples of how you've led transformation programmes and made a real impact. We want to see that passion and expertise shine through!
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework before any interview! Understand the key challenges facing the SEND sector and be ready to discuss how you would tackle them. We recommend practising common interview questions and preparing your own insightful queries to show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Interim head of send improvements in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in SEND improvements. We want to see how your background aligns with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your duties; we want to hear about your successes! Use specific examples of how you've led transformation programmes or improved services in previous roles to demonstrate your impact.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your writing is easy to read and free from jargon. This will help us understand your qualifications quickly.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure you apply through our official website. This ensures your application gets to the right people and helps us keep track of all candidates efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fix Space Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your SEND Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of SEND policies, legislation, and the latest inspection challenges. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the role but also passionate about making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully led large-scale SEND improvement programmes. Highlight your strategic planning skills and how you’ve managed complex transformation projects to demonstrate your capability for this senior position.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would engage with parent-carer forums and other stakeholders. Be ready to discuss your approach to building trust and co-production, as this is crucial for the role. Showing that you value collaboration will set you apart.
✨Prepare for Governance Discussions
Since governance and quality assurance are key aspects of this role, be prepared to talk about your experience in these areas. Have examples ready that illustrate how you've strengthened oversight and accountability in previous positions.
