SEND Reform Plan Lead

Position Overview

Reporting to the Corporate Director for Education, the successful candidate will have significant experience leading and managing change programmes, specifically SEND change programmes. They will be committed to, and able to evidence, strong skills in co‑production and adherence to the four cornerstones of co‑production. The role requires a successful track record of developing and delivering integrated services that meet customer needs, are cost efficient, and navigate conflicting stakeholder demands and vested interests.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage change programmes specifically for SEND.
• Develop and deliver integrated services that meet customer needs, are cost‑efficient, and resolve conflicting stakeholder demands.
• Build effective partnerships to deliver change management and support children and young people through schools, colleges and settings.
• Ensure integrated planning of SEND provision and services with social care and health partners.
• Redesign and improve services and lead complex change programmes.
• Maintain service quality while achieving sustainable budget reductions.
• Communicate effectively with statutory and non‑statutory organisations during periods of organisational change.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience; postgraduate qualification or professional qualification in education psychology, teaching, social work, or youth work.
• Experience of financial management, including achieving sustainable budget reductions.
• Strong understanding of legislative and statutory frameworks affecting service delivery (SEN, Children and Families Act 2014, Care Act 2015, Mental Health Capacity Act).
• Strong project management skills and experience.
• Experience in commissioning activity and managing relationships.
• Experience of successful service re‑design and improvement.
• Proficient problem‑solving skills, with the ability to thrive in uncertainty and ambiguity.
• Experience managing people, performance and leading complex change programmes.
• Effective communication and presentation skills, adaptable to different situations.
• Understanding of co‑production and adherence to its four cornerstones.

Essential Requirements

• Satisfactory employment references and CIFAS identity checks.
• Satisfactory declaration of interest.
• Role subject to safer recruitment practices as it involves work with children and/or vulnerable adults.
• Satisfactory DBS check.
• Fluent command of spoken English.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Council is committed to meeting its statutory equality duties across race, gender, disability, age, faith and sexual orientation. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity in the workplace and that our workforce reflects the diverse communities of Waltham Forest. We are dedicated to meeting our four equality objectives:

• Promoting equality of opportunity
• Opposing all forms of discrimination, intolerance and disadvantage
• Ensuring our workforce reflects the diverse communities of Waltham Forest at all levels
• Providing fair, appropriate, accessible and excellent services to all

Respecting diversity is a core Council value.