Specialist Teachers (x6)

Your new organisation Southend on Sea City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend. Working for Southend on Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovative environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work-life balance.

Southend City Council is establishing a new Central Specialist Teaching Service for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The service will deliver individual specialist support to children and young people with a range of SEND needs and provide support to Southend schools and settings in developing exceptional learning opportunities and inclusive learning environments.

Your new role: Are you at the stage in your career where you would like to share your skills and knowledge across a wide range of schools in a Local Authority? Southend City Council has a newly formed Specialist Teaching Service, and we are looking to expand our team of highly skilled SEND specialists. Our mission is to deliver exceptional support to children and young people with a range of SEND needs. We work closely with schools and settings across Southend, helping them create inclusive environments and improving outcomes for all learners.

We are particularly seeking Secondary Specialist Teachers who are confident, hands-on, and ready to work in classrooms, partnering with school leaders and staff to raise standards of SEND provision, although we would be happy to meet Primary Specialist Teachers who would be interested in slowly supporting all ages. All our staff work across all ages, and this transition is supported and training provided.

Our team currently consists of 21 specialists, and we are eager to grow even further. All new team members will benefit from a full induction and shadowing programme. We pride ourselves on our in-house SEND CPD offer, which includes weekly opportunities for training, joint working, and professional development.

We are specifically looking for:

• SEMH Specialist Teachers with extensive experience supporting students who have experienced trauma, ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), attachment challenges, and behavioural needs. Our team promotes a restorative approach, and we’re keen to meet individuals passionate about SEMH.
• Cognition and Learning Specialists, ideal for experienced SENCOs, SpLD-trained specialist teachers, or those passionate about making literacy and language accessible in both primary and secondary schools.
• AS Specialists – we have one more role to complete our dynamic and energetic team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide high-quality specialist support to children and young people with SEND, including (but not limited to) Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Complex Needs, Speech, Language & Communication Needs (SLCN), Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD /Dyslexia), and Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) needs.
• Collaborate with school leaders, teachers, and external stakeholders to identify and address the specific needs of SEND students, driving inclusive practices and positive outcomes.
• Monitor, evaluate, and refine early identification and intervention strategies, promoting continuous improvement and best practice in SEND education.
• Ensure compliance with SEND-related policies, safeguarding regulations, and inclusion standards.
• Deliver training and model effective practice to schools, settings, and partner agencies on all aspects of SEND support.

What you'll need to succeed:

• At least 3 years of experience working as a SEND specialist and or experienced SENCO, in a specialist setting, or with a specific area of SEND expertise.
• Demonstrated experience of exemplary teaching and implementing inclusive practices in a Primary, Secondary, or Special School setting.
• A deep understanding of the SEND landscape in Southend schools and settings.
• Extensive knowledge of the National Curriculum, current SEND curriculum, and emerging developments.
• Familiarity with statutory and non-statutory frameworks, assessment criteria, and reporting procedures.
• A proven track record of raising standards and improving outcomes in both mainstream and specialist settings.
• Experience collaborating with practitioners to apply practical strategies for overcoming learning barriers for students with SEND.

What you'll get in return:

• Competitive salary (Mainscale 6 + 1 SEN point + UPS respected) based on experience.
• The opportunity to be part of a dynamic, growing team of SEND professionals in Southend.
• The chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of students across the city, helping shape the future of inclusive education.

If you're passionate about supporting children and young people with SEND and have the skills and experience required for this role, we’d love to hear from you! Please attach a cover letter (no more than 2 sides) to your CV outlining your suitability for the position.

Application Deadline: 11th Feb 2025

Interview Dates: Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th Feb

Join us and be part of a team already leading in areas such as Autism, Complex Needs, Sensory, SEMH, and Learning—and growing fast. Help shape the future of inclusive education in Southend!

Southend-on-Sea City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS already on the update service.