SEND Local Offer and Employment Pathways Lead

SEND Local Offer and Employment Pathways Lead

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Go Premium
The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead initiatives to create employment pathways for young people with SEND.
  • Company: Join Kensington and Chelsea, a caring council dedicated to supporting diverse communities.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, continuous learning opportunities, and the chance to make a real impact.
  • Why this job: Be part of a forward-thinking team that champions inclusivity and empowers young people to thrive.
  • Qualifications: Experience in SEND services and knowledge of post-16 education systems are essential.
  • Other info: This is a fixed-term maternity cover role until May 2025.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Help shape a future where every young person with SEND has the chance to thrive.
As the SEND Local Offer and Employment Pathways Lead, you\’ll help young people with SEND take their next steps into adulthood – shaping opportunities that support them to learn, work and thrive.

Help shape a future where every young person with SEND has the chance to thrive.As the SEND Local Offer and Employment Pathways Lead, you\’ll help young people with SEND take their next steps into adulthood – shaping opportunities that support them to learn, work and thrive.

Working Style:

You\’ll be based in the Borough for 3 days a week, playing a key role in serving the local community. Whether you\’re working on the frontline or behind the scenes, you\’ll be part of a dedicated team making a real difference to residents\’ lives.

What you\’ll be doing:

You\’ll lead our efforts to build clear, supported pathways into employment and adulthood for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Working across Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster, you\’ll champion inclusive education and employment opportunities – from Traineeships and Supported Internships to Apprenticeships and other post-16 routes.

You\’ll work closely with schools, colleges, employers, and families to design personalised, aspirational options for young people aged 16 to 25, especially those with Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans or who are vulnerable to disengagement. A key part of your work will involve driving innovation in local provision and making sure we\’re offering value for money through collaborative, creative partnerships. You\’ll also support curriculum reform that helps young people move towards work, independence, good health and active participation in their communities.

As a line manager, you\’ll support the SEND Local Offer Coordinator and the SEND Young People\’s Participation Officer. This is a fixed-term maternity cover post, available as a secondment until May 2025.

For further details, please review the Job Description and Person Specification

What you\’ll bring

You\’ll bring a strong background in developing and delivering services for children and young people with SEND – and the insight to navigate post-16 education and employment systems with confidence. You\’ll know how to build meaningful partnerships across sectors, influence decision-makers, and keep young people and families at the centre of your work.

You\’ll understand the SEND Code of Practice and the Children and Families Act 2014, and be experienced in shaping and commissioning provision that meets individual needs. You\’re someone who brings empathy, clarity, and energy to everything you do – whether leading strategy, supporting colleagues or guiding a young person towards their next step. Experience in the public or voluntary sector, or in community engagement, would be a great fit.

Why join us

At RBKC, we\’re all in – investing in our people, our communities and our future.

This is a unique opportunity to step into a leadership role within a supportive and forward-thinking Children\’s Services team, where your ideas and initiative will be welcomed.

You\’ll have space to innovate, trusted to manage your work flexibly, and supported to keep learning and growing. Most importantly, you\’ll be part of a team making a real difference for young people with SEND – building pathways that can change lives.

About us

Kensington and Chelsea is home to diverse communities, thriving businesses and unique local places. Everything we do is focused on supporting our residents, strengthening our approach and creating a fairer borough.

As a competent and caring Council, we take pride in our work every day, ensuring our services are delivered with care and competence. We listen to our residents, act with integrity and work together to build a borough that is greener, safer and fairer for all.

This role plays a vital part in that mission. Whether you\’re co-producing plans with providers, overseeing programmes, or shaping our Local Offer, your work will help create meaningful opportunities for young people with SEND – and the support they need to take them.

Interview Details and Role Requirements

Interviews will be held W/C 25/08/2025

This role requires an Enhanced DBS check.

Ready to join us?

We\’re all in – are you? If you share our values and have the skills to contribute, we\’d love to hear from you.

Please apply online explaining how you meet the requirements set out in the person specification and job description.

We reserve the right to extend or close this vacancy early without warning subject to the volume of suitable applicants.

We are committed to promoting equality and respecting diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We are a Disability Confident Employer – committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

SEND Local Offer and Employment Pathways Lead employer: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

At RBKC, we pride ourselves on being a supportive and innovative employer dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of young people with SEND. Our work culture fosters collaboration and creativity, allowing you to lead impactful initiatives while enjoying flexible working arrangements and continuous professional development. Join us in a role that not only shapes the future for our community but also offers you the opportunity to grow within a caring and competent team.
The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Contact Detail:

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land SEND Local Offer and Employment Pathways Lead

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the SEND Code of Practice and the Children and Families Act 2014. Understanding these frameworks will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to supporting young people with SEND.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the field of SEND, especially those who work within local authorities or educational settings. Building relationships can provide insights into the role and may even lead to recommendations.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully developed partnerships across sectors. Highlighting your experience in collaboration will show that you can effectively champion inclusive education and employment opportunities.

✨Tip Number 4

Research the local community in Kensington and Chelsea. Understanding the unique challenges and opportunities in this area will allow you to tailor your approach and demonstrate your genuine interest in making a difference.

We think you need these skills to ace SEND Local Offer and Employment Pathways Lead

Knowledge of SEND Code of Practice
Understanding of the Children and Families Act 2014
Experience in developing services for children and young people with SEND
Ability to navigate post-16 education and employment systems
Strong partnership-building skills
Influencing and negotiation skills
Empathy and understanding of individual needs
Experience in curriculum reform
Project management skills
Community engagement experience
Leadership and team management skills
Creative problem-solving abilities
Strong communication skills
Commitment to inclusive education and employment opportunities

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before you start writing your application, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the SEND Local Offer and Employment Pathways Lead position. Familiarise yourself with the job description and person specification to tailor your application effectively.

Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your experience working with children and young people with SEND. Provide specific examples of how you've developed services or built partnerships that align with the role's objectives.

Showcase Your Skills: Clearly demonstrate your skills in navigating post-16 education and employment systems. Discuss your understanding of the SEND Code of Practice and the Children and Families Act 2014, and how these inform your approach to supporting young people.

Personalise Your Application: Make your application stand out by personalising it. Address how your values align with those of Kensington and Chelsea Council, and express your passion for making a difference in the lives of young people with SEND.

How to prepare for a job interview at The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

✨Understand the SEND Framework

Make sure you have a solid grasp of the SEND Code of Practice and the Children and Families Act 2014. Being able to discuss these frameworks confidently will show your understanding of the legal context in which you'll be working.

✨Showcase Your Partnership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've built meaningful partnerships across different sectors. Highlight your ability to influence decision-makers and keep young people and families at the centre of your work, as this is crucial for the role.

✨Demonstrate Empathy and Energy

During the interview, convey your passion for supporting young people with SEND. Share personal stories or experiences that illustrate your empathy and energy, as these qualities are essential for making a real difference in their lives.

✨Be Ready to Discuss Innovation

Think about innovative ideas you've implemented in previous roles or how you would approach driving innovation in local provision. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to creating personalised, aspirational options for young people.

SEND Local Offer and Employment Pathways Lead
The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Location: London
Go Premium

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>