SEND Team Manager (Best Start)

Contract Type

Fixed term contract (until 31st March 2029)

Contract Reason

Subject to funding

Secondment Opportunity

Permanent employees are encouraged to apply and will be supported as part of our workforce development commitment

Salary

Grade J. Scale 40 - £53,051 to Scale 41 - £54,143

Hours Per Week

36

Base Location

Tameside Family Hubs

Assessment Date

To be arranged

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and families? Do you bring compassion, curiosity, collaboration, conversation, and courage to your practice? If so, Tameside is looking for you.

The Role

Are you passionate about improving outcomes for children with SEND and ensuring every child gets the best possible start in life?

Tameside Council is seeking an experienced and ambitious Best Start in Life SEND Team Manager to lead our 0-5 SEND Team and drive the delivery of early years SEND and Best Start in Life priorities. You will provide operational leadership for a skilled multidisciplinary team, develop integrated SEND pathways, and work with Family Hubs, health partners, early years providers and education services to improve early identification, intervention and inclusion for children and families.

About You

We are looking for a strong and inspirational leader with experience of SEND, Early Years or Early Help services, excellent partnership-working skills, and a commitment to co-production and service improvement. You will have a sound knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice, early intervention approaches and integrated service delivery.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence system-wide change, reduce inequalities and help shape high-quality support for children and families across Tameside.

About Us

“I joined the council at the beginning of 2025 and was instantly charmed by the warmth, openness, and energy of colleagues.”

“I came to Tamesid for one reason; because I know we can do fantastic things for our families here.”

“We’re a children’s service on a significant improvement journey. We know what needs to be different for our children and families and we’re ambitious to deliver that change.”

“We have a growing range of specialist services for children, where you can test and grow your skills and practice. We have a Social Work Academy that is led by people who bring passion to learning and who know that the DCS’ of the future are right in front of them. We are working on our progression pathways so that staying in Tameside is rewarded and recognised. We have investment in innovation and improvement from the council so that we can grow services and support for families that we can sustain, from family hubs through to complex safeguarding.”

“I am so certain that we can build a proud, inclusive and safe climate for great practice to flourish in Tameside. I’d love you to join me on the journey here at Team Tameside.”

Our Heart of Support Practice Approach

At Tameside, we believe in:

• Compassion understanding the lived experiences of children and families.
• Curiosity asking questions that lead to deeper insight and better outcomes for children.
• Collaboration working together across services to deliver joined-up support.
• Conversation listening and engaging meaningfully with children, families and professionals.
• Courage leading with courage, making bold and compassionate decisions that put children first.

At Tameside, we are committed to ensuring all our Citizens lead long, fulfilling and healthy lives. We are committed to supporting economic growth, providing high quality health and care services, protecting our most vulnerable and creating strong and supportive, self-sufficient communities.

We recognise that our people drive our success and enable the organisation to deliver on its vision, purpose and priorities, and that our people are our most important resource and asset. Our values underpin our practice and behaviours, and are at the heart of everything that we do; and we understand that how we do things is just as important as what we do. We pride ourselves on living by our STRIVE values of Support, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Value Diversity and Engage. Our values underpin our practice and behaviours and are at the heart of everything that we do. How we do things are just as important as what we do.

Our employees’ skills, experience and knowledge are essential to our success along with their happiness, wellbeing, commitment, enthusiasm and motivation to be the best they can be.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. This position is subject to Enhanced with Barred List Disclosure Procedures.

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.

We are committed to developing a culture which respects individuals, appreciates difference and allows everyone regardless of background to reach their full potential. We are proud to be an accredited disability confident employer. Reasonable Adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the Job Role Criteria.

Our rewards and benefits package can be viewed here

We have made a commitment to improve the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers, carers, and ex-military personnel. Please click here for more information on our guaranteed assessment scheme.

Supporting Documents

Job Description & Person Specification