Overview
In this Zone Manager role you will lead the local delivery of Norfolk’s SEND & Inclusion Support Model, shaping how services and partners respond to local need. You’ll operate with significant autonomy, aligning zone activities with county priorities and driving multi‑agency collaboration. The role focuses on improving support for children, young people and families through strong leadership, data‑driven decisions and stakeholder engagement. This is an opportunity to influence system transformation at scale.
Pay / Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Generous holiday entitlement
- Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, remote and hybrid
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Health and Wellbeing services including physiotherapy and counselling
- Relocation expenses (where applicable)
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for SISM activities across your zone/phase area
- Own local delivery, set priorities, coordinate activity and make timely decisions
- Bring partners together from education, health, social care and other services
- Plan and influence deployment of resources using local evidence to inform planning
- Coordinate requests for support and multi‑disciplinary responses, prioritising complex issues
- Chair zone/phase meetings and secure ownership of decisions and actions
- Use data and performance information to identify themes and translate into priorities
- Provide quality assurance and drive improvement across settings, services and partners
- Safeguard children and young people, manage risk, and escalate concerns appropriately
Key requirements
- Significant experience in education, SEND, inclusion or related partnership environments
- Strong understanding of how education settings support children with additional needs
- Ability to provide system leadership without direct line management authority
- Autonomy to take ownership of local delivery and make decisions
- Confidence in analysing data and translating it into priorities and actions
- Experience coordinating work across teams or organisations and contributing to service improvement
- Excellent communication, meeting leadership and relationship-building skills
- communication
- relationship-building
- negotiation and influencing
- autonomy and decision‑making
- data analysis and interpretation
- use of performance information to inform planning and commissioning
Zone Manager – SEND and Inclusion Support Model in Norwich employer: Norfolk County Council
Norfolk County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have access to training opportunities and resources to enhance your skills while making a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children in the community. Located in Norwich, this role provides the unique advantage of working within a collaborative environment that values partnership with schools and families, ensuring a rewarding experience for all involved.
