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- Tasks: Lead strategic planning for special school placements and ensure high-quality support for children with SEND.
- Company: Join a dedicated team in Hertfordshire focused on improving education for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, impactful work, and the chance to shape inclusive education.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on children's lives while collaborating with schools and families in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in SEND planning, strong leadership skills, and a relevant degree or equivalent experience required.
- Other info: This role involves travel across Hertfordshire; access to transport is essential.
The predicted salary is between 81803 - 90664 £ per year.
Job Title: Head of SEND Sufficiency
Salary range: £81,803 to £90,664 pa
Hours: 37
Location: Stevenage
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Childrens Services
About the team
As part of our Making SEND Everyone’s Business (MSEB) programme, we are further expanding our directorate with this Head of Service post, as we make significant progress with our improvement journey towards excellence for our children and young people with SEND.
Our team is dedicated to supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across Hertfordshire, ensuring they have access to high-quality education and specialist support. We work to develop and maintain a network of special schools and Specialist Resource Provisions (SRPs) that meet the diverse needs of our community, striving to create an inclusive education system where every child can thrive.
The Head of SEND Sufficiency plays a critical role in shaping this provision, leading on strategic planning, commissioning, and performance management to ensure there are enough high-quality places for children with the most significant needs. Working closely with panel managers, placement officers, and commissioning specialists, this role ensures that resources are effectively allocated and that services align with both local and national SEND policies. They will also hold responsibility for overseeing critical decision making on EHC Needs Assessments and specialist placements, alongside the operational team that manages complaints and appeals process when these decisions are not agreed with, so experience and understanding of leading on the implementation of SEND legislation is essential.
Collaboration is key to our work, and this role interacts with a wide range of internal and external partners, including schools, multi-agency teams, parents, carers, and national SEND networks. The team is well established but evolving, offering the Head of SEND Sufficiency a unique opportunity to influence future developments and drive improvements in SEND provision across the county. If you\’re passionate about making a lasting impact on the lives of children and young people with SEND, this is a role where your expertise and leadership can truly shape the future.
About the role
You will lead the strategic planning and commissioning of special school placements and Specialist Resource Provisions (SRPs), ensuring there are enough high-quality places to meet the needs of children and young people with SEND. By analysing demographic trends and working with schools and local partners, you will identify gaps in provision and implement solutions to improve sufficiency and accessibility.
You will manage the budget of £84m for Specialist Resource Provisions (SRPs), SEN units & Special Schools, overseeing contracts with special schools, specialist SEND units, Specialist Resource Provisions (SRPs), Delivering Specialist Provision Locally (DSPL) providers, and Special School Outreach to ensure the highest standards and value for money, evaluating the effectiveness of existing SEND provisions, using data-driven approaches to identify strengths and areas needing enhancement.
You will also lead on compliance with the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice, ensuring all commissioned services meet statutory requirements and deliver positive outcomes for children and young people in Hertfordshire.
You will work closely with schools, parents, carers, and multi-agency partners to develop an inclusive and effective SEND system. Leading a team of four Panel Managers and indirectly overseeing four Specialist Placement Officers and panel clerks, you will ensure that EHCNA and placement decisions are needs-led, transparent, and fair. You will oversee the work of the Resolutions and Reconciliation Team as we work to resolve disputes at the earliest opportunity, within both a council and legal framework, delivering Accurate, Compassionate and Timely (ACT) communications and working with partners and families towards the best outcomes. Your leadership will also support service improvements across areas such as Home to School Transport, making a real difference to families across Hertfordshire.
About you
- Extensive experience in SEND strategic planning, commissioning, and provision development, with a strong understanding of special school and resource provision sufficiency.
- Your background will include working at a senior level within education, local government, or a related field, where you have successfully delivered service improvements and managed complex projects. Evidence of working with data to inform decision-making and future planning will be essential.
- Strong leadership and partnership skills are key to this role.
- You will have experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and working collaboratively with schools, local authorities, health and social care partners, and parents/carers to improve SEND provision.
- A proven ability to influence and negotiate at a senior level, along with experience presenting strategic reports to senior management and elected members, will be highly valued.
- A thorough knowledge / experience of leading on SEND legislation, including the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice, is essential.
- Stakeholder engagement and co-production – ability to work effectively with parents, carers, and young people to shape services.
- You will also demonstrate financial acumen, with experience managing and allocating budgets effectively.
- A relevant degree or equivalent experience is required.
- This role will involve travel across Hertfordshire, so access to transport is essential.
- Experience in capital planning and school place sufficiency – understanding how to forecast and develop SEND provision to meet future demand.
- Knowledge of education funding models – particularly High Needs Block funding, to ensure effective resource allocation.
- Project management expertise – experience in overseeing large-scale initiatives, from planning through to implementation.
- Change management skills – experience in driving organisational or service transformation within SEND or education settings.
- Familiarity with data analysis tools – to interpret trends and make evidence-based decisions.
- Understanding of wider social care and health services – to ensure joined-up working across education, health, and social care.
- A background in education, social care, or a related sector would be beneficial.
This job role is within the Organisational Leadership, level LDR16 job profile. Please locate this via: Job families.
To hear more about this opportunity please contact who will arrange an informal conversation to take place with Hero Slinn.
As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert/job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.
Additional information
Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
Safeguarding
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.
English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
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Head of SEND Sufficiency employer: Hertfordshire County Council.
Contact Detail:
Hertfordshire County Council. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of SEND Sufficiency
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to familiarize yourself with the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice. Understanding these legislations will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to compliance and best practices in SEND provision.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the SEND field, especially those who have experience in strategic planning and commissioning. Engaging with current leaders can provide insights into the role and may even lead to valuable recommendations or referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with data analysis and how it has informed your decision-making in previous roles. Being able to articulate specific examples where you've used data to drive improvements will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your leadership skills and experiences in managing multi-disciplinary teams. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with various stakeholders, including schools, parents, and local authorities, to enhance SEND services.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of SEND Sufficiency
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to the Head of SEND Sufficiency role. Highlight your extensive experience in SEND strategic planning, commissioning, and provision development. Include examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams.
Craft a Compelling Covering Paragraph: Use the short covering paragraph to succinctly summarize your skills, knowledge, and experiences relevant to the role. Focus on your understanding of SEND legislation and your experience in managing budgets effectively, as these are key aspects of the position.
Demonstrate Data-Driven Decision Making: In your application, provide specific examples of how you have used data to inform decision-making and future planning in previous roles. This will showcase your analytical skills and your ability to evaluate the effectiveness of existing provisions.
Highlight Stakeholder Engagement: Emphasize your experience in engaging with stakeholders, including parents, carers, and young people. Provide examples of how you have worked collaboratively to shape services and improve SEND provision, as this is crucial for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hertfordshire County Council.
✨Show Your Passion for SEND
Make sure to express your genuine passion for supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Share specific examples of how you've made a positive impact in previous roles, as this will resonate with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Prepare to discuss your experience in strategic planning and commissioning. Be ready to provide examples of how you've identified gaps in provision and implemented effective solutions, showcasing your ability to think critically and plan for the future.
✨Highlight Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team, be prepared to talk about your leadership style and experiences. Discuss how you've successfully managed multi-disciplinary teams and collaborated with various stakeholders to improve SEND provision.
✨Familiarize Yourself with Relevant Legislation
Ensure you have a solid understanding of the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice. Be ready to discuss how you've applied this knowledge in your previous roles and how it informs your approach to decision-making and service delivery.
