Job summary
Lead
with purpose Make a difference in the lives of Children and Young People with
SEND.
This is an
exciting time to be joining Southends SEND Services. Southend-on-Sea City
council has invested significantly in services to support schools, children,
young people and their families and has successfully developed and implemented
a new specialist teaching team to provide direct support to schools in meeting
the needs of children with special education needs. In addition, we have made
rapid improvements to performance regarding statutory timelines for SEND
assessments and have grown the expertise of our Education Psychology team to
beyond statutory delivery with a new EP Wellbeing Team and traded service for
non-statutory interventions.
Main duties of the job
Southend-On-Sea
city council is seeking a leader who is driven and experienced to take on a
pivotal role of Senior Lead of Statutory SEND services. This is a unique
opportunity to shape high quality, inclusive support for children and young
people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), ensuring their
rights are upheld and their potential is realised. This post is one of the most
senior specialist SEND roles within the council with delegated responsibilities
of the Head of SEND Assessment, Access and Inclusion for the SEND Statutory
duties. This contract is offered on a full time and permanent basis with hybrid
and flexible working pattern.
As
a senior lead of statutory SEND service delivery, you will provide strategic
leadership and operational management of the SEND Assessment and Review Team.
You will be joining at a time of growth in this team and pivotal in the design
and development of team structures and permanent appointments.
You
will lead a high-performing team to deliver timely, person-centred services
that support positive outcomes for children, young people and their families.
You will be responsible for leading, supervising and managing the end-to-end
Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST) process. In doing
so, they will lead and oversee the representation of the Council at SEND
Tribunal which attracts a high level of national scrutiny from stakeholders.
About us
Southend-on-Sea
City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the
needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who are working
alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and
make lives better for the people of Southend.
Working
for Southend-on-Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in
local government within a collaborative and innovate environment, with the
benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work-life balance.
As a Unitary Authority we are responsible for all local government functions
ranging from social services, transport, public health and parks to planning,
trading standards, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of
career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and
investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a
great place to work, learn and make a difference.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You
will lead a high-performing team to deliver timely, person-centred services
that support positive outcomes for children, young people and their families.
You will be responsible for leading, supervising and managing the end-to-end
Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST) process. In doing
so, they will lead and oversee the representation of the Council at SEND
Tribunal which attracts a high level of national scrutiny from stakeholders.
In
addition to strategic service planning and delivery, you will lead the
operational management and service performance of the SEND assessment, plans
and reviews. You will be the delegated lead and manage the relevant areas of
the SEND service budget on behalf of the Head of SEND Assessment, Access and
Inclusion ensuring compliance with commissioning agreements. You will be the be
the main point of contact for all SEND related enquiries from elected
councillors and members of parliament, providing responses in line with the
required council process.
Although
this role is offered on a hybrid basis (blend of working from home and office),
to meet the demands of this role, the successful candidate will be expected to
be in the office at least 3 days a week with attendance at evening meetings as
necessary.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You
will lead a high-performing team to deliver timely, person-centred services
that support positive outcomes for children, young people and their families.
You will be responsible for leading, supervising and managing the end-to-end
Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST) process. In doing
so, they will lead and oversee the representation of the Council at SEND
Tribunal which attracts a high level of national scrutiny from stakeholders.
In
addition to strategic service planning and delivery, you will lead the
operational management and service performance of the SEND assessment, plans
and reviews. You will be the delegated lead and manage the relevant areas of
the SEND service budget on behalf of the Head of SEND Assessment, Access and
Inclusion ensuring compliance with commissioning agreements. You will be the be
the main point of contact for all SEND related enquiries from elected
councillors and members of parliament, providing responses in line with the
required council process.
Although
this role is offered on a hybrid basis (blend of working from home and office),
to meet the demands of this role, the successful candidate will be expected to
be in the office at least 3 days a week with attendance at evening meetings as
necessary.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or other relevant experience
- Evidence of continuous professional development
- Experience of working at a senior level in a SEND Related Role
Desirable
- Qualified teacher status (QTS) is desirable
Experience
Essential
- To be successful in this role, you must have proven experience of working at a senior level in an SEND related role. You must have in-depth knowledge of SEND legislation, statutory frameworks, and best practice. It is essential that you have proven leadership experience within education, childrens services, or local authority settings. You must have strong track record in managing complex systems and delivering service improvements. It is vital that you can build effective relationship, trust and credibility with a wide range of stakeholders, including schools, professionals and partners e.g. Health/Social Care, parents, carers and children with SEND and coproducing with these groups. You must have experience in in SEND Casework and SEND legal processes.
Desirable
- Knowledge of financial arrangements for SEND budgets in mainstream and special schools.
- Experience of ICT systems relating to pupils with SEND
- Experience of writing reports, analysing and interpreting data and information
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or other relevant experience
- Evidence of continuous professional development
- Experience of working at a senior level in a SEND Related Role
Desirable
- Qualified teacher status (QTS) is desirable
Experience
Essential
- To be successful in this role, you must have proven experience of working at a senior level in an SEND related role. You must have in-depth knowledge of SEND legislation, statutory frameworks, and best practice. It is essential that you have proven leadership experience within education, childrens services, or local authority settings. You must have strong track record in managing complex systems and delivering service improvements. It is vital that you can build effective relationship, trust and credibility with a wide range of stakeholders, including schools, professionals and partners e.g. Health/Social Care, parents, carers and children with SEND and coproducing with these groups. You must have experience in in SEND Casework and SEND legal processes.
Desirable
- Knowledge of financial arrangements for SEND budgets in mainstream and special schools.
- Experience of ICT systems relating to pupils with SEND
- Experience of writing reports, analysing and interpreting data and information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
