High Needs Team Leader in Leeds

Salary: Commencing at £32,870 with progression to £35,912 per annum

Working Hours: 37 hours

City/Town: Leeds

Closing Date: 28/06/2026

Job Category: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Group Member: Leeds City College

Campus: Joseph Priestley Centre

Benefits:

• Annual leave: Curriculum and Management: 44 days plus bank holidays; Curriculum support and business support: 39 days plus bank holidays
• Pension schemes with generous employer contributions: Teachers’ Pension Scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme, People’s Pension Scheme
• CPD opportunities: Annual staff conference plus 2 additional staff development days, qualifications including PGCE, Apprenticeships, Leadership and Management courses
• Employee wellbeing initiatives: Family Friendly Policies, discounted onsite spa (Printworks) and gym (Park Lane)
• Travel and commuting: Discounted travel available through Metro card, Northern Rail, First Bus, Arriva Bus and Cycle to work schemes
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities

About the Role:

Leeds City College are seeking a High Needs Team Leader to join our SEND department. This role requires an experienced SEND professional to lead on the placement and support of students with Educational Health Care Plans, SEND, and ALS needs across a specific campus/cohort. You will be an operational main point of contact with parents and curriculum staff, make a contribution towards positive outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable students, and line manage a highly effective team within the department.

What You Will Do:

• Lead and manage the SEND team to ensure high-quality support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
• Oversee the assessment, planning, implementation, and review of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
• Work collaboratively with schools, families, health professionals, and social care services to achieve positive outcomes.
• Manage complex SEND cases and resolve escalated issues effectively.
• Monitor service performance, quality standards, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to strategic planning, policy development, and service transformation projects.
• Prepare reports, analyze data, and present recommendations to senior management.
• Promote inclusive practices and advocate for the needs of children and young people with SEND.

About You:

• Level 5 teaching qualification or relevant SEND / Learning Support related qualification or willingness to work towards.
• English and Mathematics at Level 2 or above and a willingness to improve in one or both disciplines to level 3 or above.
• Up to date knowledge and understanding of current Government SEND legislation/guidance related to transition, education, social care and health.
• Extensive and proven experience of working with students with an EHCP and the implementation of appropriate support strategies.
• Experience of multi-agency partnership working and stakeholder engagement with families, schools, and professionals.
• Experience in performance monitoring, quality assurance, and data-informed reporting.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, policy implementation, and continuous service improvement, including budget and resource management.

About Us:

Leeds City College is one of the largest further education institutions in the country and one of the biggest providers of apprenticeships regionally. We provide a vibrant and diverse learning environment, delivering excellent and innovative education which is supportive, inspiring and life changing. Leeds City College’s values put students first and are at the heart of everything the college does. We are committed to lifelong learning and investing in our staff. You’ll have access to a broad variety of training and professional development designed to help you continually develop and grow. We offer a wide range of job vacancies, and our large size means there are always exciting opportunities to progress.

At Luminate Education Group we are committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all our students. We expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful applicants will be required to complete mandatory pre-employment checks which include an enhanced DBS check, online checks and must have two satisfactory references. Please be aware that it is a criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in recruitment is key to our Group’s values. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that embraces equality, diversity and inclusion in all its forms, where every candidate is treated with fairness, respect, and equity. Our recruitment processes are designed to ensure equal opportunities, remove bias, and promote a diverse talent pool.

Recruitment Agencies:

We do not accept unsolicited CV’s and applications from agencies and will not be liable for any fee in connection with a candidate that has been submitted speculatively through any agency that has not been expressly instructed for a particular vacancy as part of our Preferred Supplier List.