At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
- Company: Join Lincolnshire County Council, a supportive and forward-thinking organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available with strong support for wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in SEND management and a passion for inclusive practice required.
The predicted salary is between 60050 - 65878 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and passionate leader to join our SEND Service as a SEND Team Manager.
This vacancy has become available due to the career progression of the current post holder, reflecting the development opportunities available within our service and the wider organisation.
As SEND Team Manager, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) receive the right support, at the right time, to achieve the best possible outcomes.
You will provide strategic and operational leadership across statutory SEND services, overseeing Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessments, planning, reviews, placement commissioning and service improvement.
This is an opportunity to join an ambitious and forward-thinking team at a time of continued SEND development and reform, where your leadership will directly influence the experiences of children, young people and families across Lincolnshire.
About the role
As a SEND Team Manager, you will
- Lead and inspire a team delivering statutory SEND functions.
- Drive high-quality, child-centred practice and ensure compliance with SEND legislation.
- Oversee performance, quality assurance and continuous service improvement.
- Chair key decision-making panels, ensuring transparent and robust decisions.
- Work collaboratively with education, health, social care and voluntary sector partners to improve outcomes.
- Lead on placement planning and commissioning across a range of SEND provisions.
- Monitor and manage resources effectively.
- Champion co-production, ensuring the voices of children, young people and families shape service delivery.
- Contribute to the strategic development of SEND services and the implementation of SEND reforms.
About you
We are looking for an inspiring leader who combines strategic thinking with a strong commitment to achieving positive outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
You will bring
- A relevant professional qualification within education, health, social care or significant equivalent SEND management experience.
- Extensive experience working with children, young people and families with complex needs.
- A strong understanding of SEND legislation, statutory processes and best practice.
- Proven leadership experience, including managing and developing high-performing teams.
- Experience of service improvement, performance management and delivering change.
- Strong financial and resource management skills.
- Excellent communication, partnership-building and influencing skills.
- A passion for inclusive practice and co-production with families.
What We Offer
At Lincolnshire County Council, we recognise that strong leadership starts with feeling valued and supported.
In return for your commitment, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your career development, wellbeing, and work-life balance, including:
- A salary of £60,050 - £65,878 Pay award pending and Local Government Pension Scheme, with c.17% employer contribution.
- 28 days annual leave entitlement which increases to 33 after 5 years’ service, with the option to purchase up to 10 days additional leave.
- Salary sacrifice schemes, including cycle-to-work, car lease, and additional leave purchase options.
- Access to employee discounts through Perkbox and a range of national and local offers.
- Ongoing professional development, including leadership programmes, training, and career progression opportunities.
- A comprehensive occupational sick pay scheme, life cover, and ill-health retirement provisions.
- Access to health and wellbeing resources, including counselling, employee support services, and health cash plan options.
- Dedicated support for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
- Find out more about our offer to you in the attached brochure.
We are committed to providing a positive working environment where leaders are empowered to thrive, develop their careers, and make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people across Lincolnshire.
Due to recent changes in immigration law in the UK we are unable to offer skilled worker visa sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the requirements.
At Lincolnshire County Council, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do.
That’s why we offer a rewarding package designed to support your work-life balance, health and wellbeing, financial security, and career growth.
Find out more about our offer to you in the attached brochure.
Interviews will take place on Friday 14th August 2026
We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions .
Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
A Smarter Working Employer
We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role.
You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary .
Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.
Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely.
We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed .
Fluency Duty
In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post .
Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do.
We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.
- Salary
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
SEND Team Manager in Horncastle employer: Lincoln
Cliffedale Primary School is an exceptional employer, offering a nurturing and supportive environment where dedicated staff can thrive. With well-behaved and motivated children, a talented team committed to professional development, and excellent training opportunities, employees are encouraged to grow and excel in their roles. Located in Grantham, the school fosters a warm community spirit, making it an ideal place for those passionate about education and making a positive impact on young lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEND Team Manager in Horncastle
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Lincoln.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Lincoln!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Lincoln, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Lincoln or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace SEND Team Manager in Horncastle
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Lincoln:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Lincoln! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lincoln
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
