Senior SEND Quality Assurance Officer in Gateshead

Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match. We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time. We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.

At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.

Shape high-quality SEND services. Influence strategic decisions. Transform outcomes for children and young people. Our SEND Service is committed to ensuring children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities receive high-quality, inclusive support that enables them to thrive. Working across education, health, social care and wider partner agencies, we play a vital role in coordinating services, driving continuous improvement, promoting inclusion and ensuring statutory responsibilities are met.

As part of an ambitious and collaborative team, you will help shape practice across the local area, ensuring the voices of children, young people and their families remain at the heart of everything we do. Lead quality assurance, champion inclusion and make a lasting difference for children with SEND across Gateshead.

What you will get to do:

• Act as the Senior SEND Quality Assurance Officer for children and young people with complex and significant needs, working collaboratively across education, health, social care, voluntary sector organisations and other partners.
• Provide education and SEND expertise within the Integrated Front Door, ensuring education intelligence informs safeguarding triage, risk assessment and decision-making processes.
• Represent education and SEND within multi-agency safeguarding processes, including MACPT, strategy meetings and child protection activity where required.
• Lead on highly complex SEND casework, supporting progression planning, risk management and positive outcomes for children and young people with a range of vulnerabilities and needs.
• Take professional responsibility for Education, Health and Care Plan review processes, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and that children, young people and families are fully involved.
• Build strong relationships with schools, SENDCOs, designated safeguarding leads, parents, carers and wider professionals to resolve complex issues and support effective provision.
• Provide advice and guidance on SEND thresholds, Section 19 duties, safeguarding processes and inclusion arrangements.
• Lead quality assurance, moderation and service improvement activity to promote consistency, high standards and equitable access to SEND support and resources.
• Support workforce development through coaching, mentoring, training delivery and professional challenge.
• Contribute to service leadership, strategic developments, SEND Local Offer improvements and, where required, the supervision and management of staff.
• Use data, performance information and management systems to monitor outcomes, identify trends and support strategic planning and continuous improvement.

If successful you will have to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure. An exciting opportunity to combine SEND expertise, safeguarding knowledge and leadership to improve lives and strengthen services.

What you will bring:

• Qualified Teacher Status (or equivalent) and a degree-level qualification, alongside a strong understanding of the SEND Code of Practice, relevant SEND legislation, safeguarding duties and the Ofsted Local Area SEND Inspection Framework.
• Significant experience working within SEND and education services, including leading or contributing to multi-agency meetings, EHCP annual reviews and safeguarding processes such as Section 47 enquiries and child protection conferences.
• Proven experience of quality assurance, moderation, service improvement and promoting consistent, high-quality practice.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret performance information, use evidence to identify priorities and drive meaningful improvements.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to influence partners, provide constructive professional challenge and explain complex processes to a variety of audiences.
• Effective leadership and people management experience, including supporting, supervising and developing colleagues.
• Confidence in using specialist ICT systems, project management approaches and business tools to support service delivery, reporting and strategic development.

What’s in it for you:

• Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary – we invest in your future too.
• Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
• Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
• Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions – a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services – plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).

Our commitment to you:

We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.