Senior SEND Quality Assurance Officer (Post 16) 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.

Champion inclusive Post-16 education. Drive quality. Improve outcomes for young people preparing for adulthood. Our SEND Service is dedicated to ensuring children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities receive the right support, at the right time, to achieve their ambitions and successfully prepare for adulthood. Working collaboratively with education providers, health services, social care, families and wider partners, we champion inclusion, drive service improvement and ensure statutory responsibilities are delivered to a high standard.

As part of our ambitious and supportive team, you will play a key role in strengthening Post-16 SEND provision, influencing strategic developments and improving outcomes for young people across Gateshead. Use your SEND expertise to shape high-quality Post-16 provision and make a lasting difference to young people 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 Education Services and the Integrated Front Door (MASH), ensuring education intelligence informs quality assurance, monitoring, 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, quality assuring and reviewing EHCPs, coordinating support, supporting progression planning, risk management and positive outcomes for children and young people with a range of vulnerabilities and needs.
• Take professional responsibility for a key area within SEND, Post-16 education, 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, Post-16 education 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, commissioning and continuous improvement.

What you will bring:

• Qualified Teacher Status (or equivalent), a degree-level qualification and a detailed understanding of the SEND Code of Practice, SEND legislation, safeguarding responsibilities and the particular application of these within Post-16 education.
• Experience of leading or contributing to multi-agency meetings and safeguarding processes, including strategy meetings, Section 47 enquiries, child protection conferences and professional challenge where appropriate.
• Proven experience of quality assurance, moderation and service improvement within Post-16 further education, SEND services or a related setting.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret performance information, identify trends, inform commissioning decisions and drive service improvement.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence partners, manage complex situations and explain specialist processes to a range of audiences.
• Experience of leading, supervising or developing staff and promoting high standards of professional practice.
• Confidence in using specialist ICT systems, project management tools and business processes to support effective service delivery 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).

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.