At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead SEND assessment service, ensuring compliance and mentoring team managers.
- Company: Westminster City Council, committed to child-centric education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and impactful work.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through effective SEND services.
- Qualifications: Experience in SEND assessments and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 € per year.
Lead the statutory assessment service, ensuring compliance, providing line management support and mentoring to the team manager responsible for operations. Approve provision and placement fees (up to £500k) ensuring compliance with the legal test for efficient use of the public purse.
Ensure the Council fulfils its statutory duties, leading and managing a high quality, child-centric special educational needs assessment service, making coherent and legally compliant decisions and remaining up to date with case law.
Advise and support school leaders on their responsibilities in relation to assessment.
Ensure that stakeholders' views and needs are central to the strategic planning and delivery of SEND services, maintaining professional relationships with them through respectful communication. Serve as the main contact for the Westminster City Council Parents Forum – 'Make it Happen', to ensure parent voices are heard.
Chair the multi-agency statutory assessment panel, overseeing processes so all referrals are decided within less than six weeks.
Lead on quality assurance of statutory advice from partners, identifying risk to service delivery. Utilise feedback to identify areas for improvement and training needs.
Direct the work of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Tribunal Officer in managing appeals to the First Tier Tribunal, triage all new appeals ensuring timely response, acting as an adviser to the Assistant Director on all areas of Tribunal appeal.
Oversee statutory and informal dispute resolution arrangements, ensuring compliance with regulations and undertaking termly contract monitoring.
Act as the contract lead for the commissioning of the Pears Family School in Islington including termly liaison with the Headteacher and SENCO.
Represent the Assistant Director of Education at the RBKC and WCC Youth Crime Prevention Partnership and during Youth Justice inspections providing feedback.
Conduct bi-monthly strategy meetings with the Educational Psychology Service to review, anticipate, and address capacity and quality of assessment.
Ensure compliance with Department of Education data requirements, auditing and reporting regularly to SEN leadership, Assistant Director and Councillors.
Draft responses to member enquiries, complaints, Ombudsman investigations, and case briefings for judicial review and other SEN legal matters related to assessment.
Ensure robust use of technology for assessments and appeals, accurate record keeping, and GDPR compliance across the service. Monitor and address performance issues.
Effectively contribute to wider programmes and projects by identifying key dependencies and understanding the impact of other activities on the SEN service.
Head of SEND Assessment and Resolution in London employer: The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
As a leading employer in the education sector, Westminster City Council offers a dynamic and supportive work environment for the Head of SEND Assessment and Resolution role. With a strong commitment to professional development, employees benefit from mentoring opportunities and a culture that prioritises collaboration and stakeholder engagement. Located in the heart of London, the Council provides a unique chance to make a meaningful impact on children's lives while enjoying the vibrant city atmosphere.
Contact Detail:
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of SEND Assessment and Resolution in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the SEND sector. Attend events, join forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the latest trends in SEND assessment and legislation. We want you to be the go-to person for knowledge during your interview. Show them you’re not just a candidate, but a future leader in the field!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family, focusing on the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description. We want you to feel confident discussing how you’ll lead the statutory assessment service and manage stakeholder relationships.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of SEND Assessment and Resolution in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the specific responsibilities of the Head of SEND Assessment and Resolution role. We want to see how you can lead a child-centric assessment service and ensure compliance, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves line management and mentoring, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past, and how you’ve supported others in their professional growth.
Highlight Your Knowledge of SEND Legislation:We’re looking for someone who is up to date with case law and statutory duties related to special educational needs. Make sure to mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that showcase your understanding of SEND legislation and how it impacts service delivery.
Engage with Stakeholders:Communication is key! Illustrate how you’ve maintained professional relationships with stakeholders in previous roles. We want to see your ability to listen and respond to their needs, especially when it comes to ensuring parent voices are heard.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the latest case law and statutory duties related to special educational needs. Being able to discuss recent changes or relevant legal precedents will show that you're not just familiar with the role but also committed to staying informed.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your experience in mentoring and supporting others, as this role involves line management and ensuring a high-quality service.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would maintain professional relationships with stakeholders, including school leaders and parents. Be ready to discuss strategies for effective communication and how you would ensure their views are central to service delivery.
✨Demonstrate Quality Assurance Experience
Be prepared to talk about your experience with quality assurance processes. Discuss how you've used feedback to improve services and identify training needs, as this is crucial for overseeing statutory advice and managing appeals.
