At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage school placements and strengthen relationships with Local Authorities for SEND schools.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on supporting students with special educational needs.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a collaborative environment with a focus on ethical decision-making.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives by ensuring smooth school transitions.
- Qualifications: Experience in SEND education and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
The Local Authority Partnerships & School Placements Manager will oversee the referral, assessment, and placement coordination process across the group’s SEND schools. The role is designed to strengthen relationships with Local Authorities, improve referral conversion rates, support families through the admissions journey, and ensure a professional, responsive, and organised placements process from initial referral through to pupil transition. This is not a traditional sales role. The successful candidate will act as a trusted liaison between Local Authorities, families, and schools, ensuring that placements are handled efficiently, ethically, and in line with pupils’ needs and the schools’ specialist provision.
Key Responsibilities
- Local Authority Relationship Management
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships with SEND case officers, commissioning teams, SEN managers, and associated professionals across Local Authorities.
- Act as a primary point of contact for placement discussions and referral coordination.
- Attend Local Authority meetings, commissioning discussions, consultations, and networking events where appropriate.
- Build long‑term strategic relationships with boroughs to support sustainable referral pathways.
- Referral & Placement Coordination
- Oversee the end‑to‑end referral pipeline across the group’s schools.
- Ensure referrals are responded to promptly and professionally.
- Coordinate assessments, school visits, parent meetings, and transition planning.
- Liaise with school leadership teams regarding suitability and placement decisions.
- Track all referrals from enquiry through to placement outcome.
- Ensure accurate records and reporting are maintained.
- Family & Stakeholder Liaison
- Support families throughout the consultation and admissions process.
- Coordinate communication between parents, schools, and Local Authorities.
- Ensure families feel informed, supported, and confident during transition planning.
- Assist in resolving concerns or barriers affecting placements.
- Data, Reporting & Analysis
- Monitor referral trends, conversion rates, occupancy forecasting, and commissioning activity.
- Produce regular management reports covering referral numbers, conversion rates, placement outcomes, reasons for lost placements, borough activity, fee sensitivity trends, and transport/distance challenges.
- Identify operational or strategic improvements to enhance placement conversion and occupancy levels.
- Commercial & Strategic Support
- Work with leadership teams to identify opportunities for improved Local Authority engagement.
- Support discussions around placement structures and fee positioning where appropriate.
- Assist with market intelligence relating to SEND commissioning trends and local demand.
- Contribute to strategic occupancy planning across the school group.
- Transition & Placement Quality
- Ensure placements are suitable, realistic, and aligned with the school’s specialist provision.
- Coordinate smooth pupil transitions into school settings.
- Support strong communication between education, therapy, pastoral, and family stakeholders.
- Promote long‑term placement stability and positive outcomes for pupils.
Person Specification – Essential Experience
- Experience working within SEND education, Local Authority SEND services, commissioning, or school admissions.
- Strong understanding of EHCP processes and SEND placement pathways.
- Experience liaising with Local Authorities and multi‑agency professionals.
- Excellent organisational and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple referrals and priorities simultaneously.
- Strong relationship‑building capability.
- High levels of professionalism, discretion, and emotional intelligence.
Desirable Experience
- Previous experience within Local Authority SEND teams, independent specialist schools, SEND commissioning, SEN case management, or school leadership/SENCO roles.
- Knowledge of London borough commissioning processes.
- Experience using CRM or referral tracking systems.
- Understanding of occupancy management and school growth planning.
Personal Qualities
- Relationship‑driven rather than sales‑driven.
- Calm, credible, and solutions‑focused.
- Highly organised and detail‑oriented.
- Professional and collaborative approach.
- Able to build trust with Local Authorities and families alike.
- Ethical and child‑centred in decision‑making.
- Commercially aware without compromising educational integrity.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Referral response times
- Referral‑to‑assessment conversion rate
- Assessment‑to‑placement conversion rate
- Occupancy levels across schools
- Parent and Local Authority feedback
- Placement stability and retention
- Accuracy and quality of reporting data
- Growth in repeat Local Authority referrals
Salary and Benefits
Competitive salary dependent on experience, plus potential performance‑related bonus structure linked to occupancy and placement outcomes.
Application Deadline
31 August 2026
Local Authority Partnerships & School Placements Manager in Harrow employer: Specialist SEND Group
As a Local Authority Partnerships & School Placements Manager, you will join a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the well-being of both staff and students. With competitive salaries and performance-related bonuses, our organisation is committed to your professional growth, offering opportunities for continuous development and engagement with local authorities to enhance educational outcomes. Working primarily across vibrant locations such as Harrow and Twickenham, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of SEND education while enjoying a fulfilling and impactful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Local Authority Partnerships & School Placements Manager in Harrow
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend local authority meetings and events to meet key players in the SEND sector. Building relationships with case officers and commissioning teams can give you a leg up when it comes to securing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Be proactive in your follow-ups! After interviews or networking events, drop a quick email to thank them for their time and reiterate your interest. It shows you're keen and keeps you on their radar.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Prepare to discuss your experience with EHCP processes and SEND pathways during interviews. Being able to speak confidently about these topics will set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find roles that match your skills and interests. Plus, it’s a great way to stay updated on new opportunities in the Local Authority Partnerships & School Placements space.
We think you need these skills to ace Local Authority Partnerships & School Placements Manager in Harrow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in SEND education and Local Authority partnerships. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves liaising with various stakeholders, it’s crucial to demonstrate your excellent communication abilities. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect how you can effectively engage with families and Local Authorities.
Highlight Organisational Skills:We’re looking for someone who can manage multiple referrals and priorities. In your application, share examples of how you’ve successfully organised complex processes in the past. This will show us you’re up for the challenge!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Specialist SEND Group
✨Know Your SEND Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of SEND education and the EHCP processes. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you understand the complexities of the role and can navigate the referral pathways effectively.
✨Build Relationships Before You Walk In
Research the Local Authorities you'll be working with and understand their specific needs and challenges. If you can reference any existing relationships or experiences during your interview, it’ll demonstrate your proactive approach to relationship management.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed multiple referrals or complex cases in the past. Highlighting your organisational skills and ability to prioritise will reassure them that you can handle the demands of this role.
✨Be Solutions-Focused
During the interview, be ready to discuss how you would handle potential challenges in the placement process. Presenting yourself as calm and solutions-focused will align with the qualities they’re looking for in a candidate.
