Job Description
Do you want to make a difference in the lives of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)? This role places you at the forefront of implementing national changes to the SEND system at a local level.
As the Strategic Lead for SEND Assessment and Planning, you will play a pivotal role in our Education Division within Children's Services. Our mission is to champion children and young people, especially those vulnerable to underachievement. We are ambitious and innovative, striving to transform the SEND system in East Sussex by building strong partnerships across the local authority, educational settings, and stakeholders.
You will lead and deliver the Local Authority's statutory responsibilities for the assessment and placement of children and young people with SEND. You'll identify areas for improvement and be responsible for reshaping the service in response to national policy changes and reform. You will develop and implement plans that improve the experience of families and realise the opportunities that change will bring. You will lead multi-agency work across a broad range of partners, building collaborative relationships that maximise the impact of our work. In everything you do, you'll seek the best possible outcomes for children and their families. You will work collaboratively across teams and with school leaders.
The role is being appointed on a fixed-term basis for 2 years, to ensure stability in our statutory SEND services whilst we review the impact of SEND reforms. We welcome applications on an interim, secondment or fixed term basis.
We Are Looking For
We seek an exceptional leader with proven senior leadership experience who can inspire others and deliver our vision. Driven by a powerful moral purpose, you will have an outstanding record of championing improved outcomes for children and young people. Your deep expertise in the SEND legislative framework and statutory service delivery will be matched by your skill in building partnerships and leading collaborative, multi-agency teams. You will embrace the opportunity that this role offers to work in partnership to shape service delivery and to make a difference to the lives of children and young people with SEND in East Sussex.
To apply for this role, please follow the 'Apply Now' button above and upload your CV and a supporting statement. We will be using your supporting statement to shortlist so please be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests.
Please download the Job Description and Person Specification for more information.
In person interviews will be held at County Hall, Lewes, Wednesday 1 October 2025. A presentation will be required as part of the interview.
East Sussex County Council is a great place to work. It's an empowering environment where people find a real sense of achievement and purpose in helping others. We embrace new technologies and forward-thinking ideas, and we offer a diverse range of learning and development opportunities.
We provide a variety of benefits to support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page .
For an informal discussion, please contact Nathan Caine, Head of Education: SEND and Safeguarding:
About Us
Additional Information
This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to. Please note that we require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad.
Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.
If you require sponsorship to work in the UK please let the hiring manager know this in your application so we can check eligibility for sponsorship for the role. For further information please go to
If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.