At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality assurance for SEND services and drive improvements for children and young people.
- Company: Join Liverpool City Council, a vibrant organisation dedicated to community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy 31+ days holiday, flexible working, and health benefits.
- Other info: Fixed term role with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in education or SEND services; qualified teachers or social workers welcome.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We've got ambitious targets to meet and we need people who are driven, dynamic and ready to deliver the very best for our communities. Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do.
Working at Liverpool City Council provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services. We are proud of our world-famous thriving city with its rich culture, as well as affordable housing, good schools, beautiful green spaces – there’s really something for everyone!
Our Practice Model – “Our City, Our Children, Together” – was chosen by colleagues, parents and carers, children, and young people to reflect our collective commitment to working collaboratively. It is more than just a practice model; it is a shared vision. Every part of this model has been co-produced with the people who access and deliver our services. It represents our values, our relationships, and our belief that, by working together, we can create the best outcomes for children, young people and their networks.
This is a model we can be proud of and one that truly belongs to all of us. Join a service that's really making a difference. Liverpool Children's Services is proud to be rated "Good" by Ofsted, with inspectors recognising the positive impact of our work for children, young people and families across the city.
The role: Liverpool City Council is seeking an experienced and motivated professional to undertake the role of SEND Quality Assurance Lead on a 14-month fixed term basis to provide maternity cover from November 2026. We welcome applications from colleagues interested in a secondment opportunity and would look to progress this route initially to enable a swift appointment. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in strengthening quality assurance, practice improvement and performance across Liverpool's SEND system.
The successful candidate will work closely with the Head of SEND and Inclusion colleagues across Children's Services to develop and deliver a robust programme of audit activity, identify learning, drive continuous improvement and ensure better outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead and coordinate SEND audit and quality assurance activity
- Analyse findings and translate these into improvement actions, learning and development
- Support managers and practitioners to develop a shared understanding of excellent practice
- Monitor the effectiveness of Education, Health and Care (EHC) planning and wider SEND services
- Produce high-quality reports, identify themes and recommendations, and support delivery of improvement plans
- Work collaboratively with partners across education, health, social care and safeguarding services
We are looking for someone who has experience of working within education and/or SEND services and is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Applications are welcomed from qualified teachers, qualified social workers registered with Social Work England, or individuals holding a relevant degree and able to demonstrate the required experience and expertise.
This role offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced practitioner or manager seeking to broaden their leadership experience and make a significant contribution to Liverpool's SEND improvement journey. This role is fixed term for the purpose of providing maternity leave cover and will end on 30 November 2027. This post is available as a secondment opportunity. Applicants considering a secondment should discuss their application with their current manager before applying and ensure they can secure release should they be successful.
Our offer to you:
- At least 31 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 35 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part time)
- Agile working (role dependent) - a "Flexibility First" approach to agile working, where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception
- Part of the Local Government Pension Scheme – option to join the AVC Scheme
- Progression opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning
- Health and Wellbeing offer including Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes
- Drive Time – a salary sacrifice car lease scheme
- Family friendly policies with enhanced leave
- Discounted Gym Memberships
- Employee Volunteering Scheme
Next steps:
Closing date: midnight on Monday 5 October 2026
Shortlisting date: W/C Monday 5 October 2026
Interview date: W/C 12 October 2026
Interview type: face-to-face
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early. Once the role has closed, you will not be able to submit an application, and we are unable to reopen the vacancy for you to complete it. We strongly recommend submitting your application well in advance of the closing date to avoid disappointment.
Liverpool City Council is committed to fostering a workforce representative of the communities we serve. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe in appointing candidates based on their skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities. To support this commitment, we guarantee an interview to candidates from under-represented groups who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role.
If you require any reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010, such as an application form in a different format or additional time to complete your application, please contact us at recruitment@liverpool.gov.uk.
SEND Quality Assurance Lead in Liverpool employer: Liverpool City Council
Liverpool City Council is an excellent employer for social workers, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the families they serve. With opportunities for professional development and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team, you will find meaningful and rewarding employment in a role that directly impacts the lives of children and families in the community. Located in the vibrant city of Liverpool, you will enjoy a dynamic environment that fosters growth and innovation in social work practice.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEND Quality Assurance Lead in Liverpool
✨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 Liverpool City Council.
✨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 Liverpool City Council!
✨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 Liverpool City Council, 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 Liverpool City Council 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 Quality Assurance Lead in Liverpool
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 Liverpool City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Liverpool City Council! 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 Liverpool City Council
✨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.
