Head of SEND - Statutory, Specialist and Strategic Partnerships in Northumberland

Northumberland County Council is seeking an exceptional leader for this newly refreshed role. Working in collaboration with our schools, settings and multiple partners, the successful candidate will further develop systems, frameworks and relationships to ensure all our children, young people and families who experience special education needs and disabilities have their needs well met in all areas of the county.

The focus for this senior role is to lead on the statutory and specialist requirements of the service, to work with families and carers to understand their needs and with our other partners to ensure plans and ambitions are made into a reality and to support our team to have a great working experience delivering on priorities and ambitions for the service. The relational practice expectation is very high; you will lead via co-production to determine a collective ownership of our joint working.

The Governments White Paper and Green Consultation Paper are clear about the expectation and direction for Children and Young people to have stronger outcomes, and where this is appropriate to do so attending their local mainstream school. As a result, this post holder will be working very closely with the Head of SEND (Local Inclusion Support Offer) in supporting schools and setting to achieve this challenging ask.

The post holder will be line managed by the Director of Education, SEND and Skills. They will be held to account for and report progress within the Local Area SEND Reform Plan to the SEND Local Partnership boards, council governance structures and to the DfE during our termly updates. As a part of the wider Children's Services Directorate the post holder will work to deliver on all the Council’s corporate priorities. As part of the directorate management team, they will work collaboratively and collegiately for all families in Northumberland applying best value for money via effective and efficient services.

In summary, the Head of SEND for Statutory, Specialist and Strategic Partnerships will:

• Provide strategic leadership for SEND standards, assurance and statutory compliance, ensuring full alignment with the SEND Code of Practice
• Oversee high-quality SEND specialist provision across education settings, driving consistency, inclusion and improved outcomes
• Support SENDCo’s and other school leaders in achieving shared priorities
• Identify, promote and share inclusive practices that supports targeted and targeted plus interventions for learners
• Lead co production work with our parent carer voice, young people, partners and staff to ensure our approaches are considered, shaped and understood by all
• Develop and maintain the Local Area SEND Partnership across education, health social care and all parent/carer groups, influencing at local, regional and national level
• Drive innovation across the system, reducing inequalities, preventing exclusion and improving life chances for children and young people
• Ensure robust performance frameworks are in place to monitor impact and continuously improve services

About you

We are looking for a credible and influential leader with:

• Significant senior leadership experience within SEND and education systems
• Extensive knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice and its practical application at strategic and operational level
• Significant experience of co production, working with parent carers, partners and wider voice forum to shape practice, policy and direction
• A strong track record of improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND and demonstrable experience delivering on plans and partnerships
• Experience of leading through complexity, driving transformation and developing high-performing teams
• The ability to build, develop and extend effective partnerships across organisations and influence at senior level
• Strong financial and resource management expertise within a public sector context

You will bring strategic insight, resilience and innovation, with the ability to navigate complexity and deliver meaningful change across a large and diverse system.

This is a permanent post with a start date to be agreed. Salary is Band 14 £80,779 - £90,216. Any interested candidates should contact Anita Bingham on Anita.Bingham@northumberland.gov.uk, to arrange an exploratory call with Director of Education, SEND and Skills, David Street. This role is based at County Hall, Morpeth, and requires regular on-site attendance, together with a willingness to travel across Northumberland on a regular basis. A blended working approach is supported however our successful candidate will be expected to work in line with the Council’s WorkSmart principles, which guide how, when and where work is delivered based on organisational need. Closing date of advert is 14th September at noon. Interviews will take place on 28th.