Chief Officer – SEND and Inclusion
Salary: £112,369 - £123,394 (Pay award pending)
Contract: Permanent
Location: Merrion House
Closing Date: Midnight, 31st May 2026
Overview
Leeds is a city with bold ambition for children and families. We are proud of our strong values, our commitment to inclusion and our relentless focus on improving outcomes. We are driven by our Leeds Ambitions, prioritising the actions that will have the most impact for people in our city over the next decade. Working together with partners, communities and families, our shared goal as Child Friendly Leeds is that every child and young person will have the best start in life and be supported to thrive.
To help lead this next phase of improvement, we are recruiting three exceptional Chief Officers to join our Children and Families Directorate. These are influential, system‑leading roles that will work collectively as part of a strong and values‑driven senior leadership team, shaping the future of services across the city. Reporting to the Director of Children and Families, the Chief Officer for SEND & Inclusion will provide strategic leadership for Leeds’ local area SEND system, ensuring children and young people with SEND receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
As the council’s lead professional for SEND and Inclusion, you will shape inclusive education and provision across early years, schools and post‑16, working in deep partnership with healthcare and education providers, families and the voluntary sector. You will lead improvement and transformation across SEND services, champion co‑production, and ensure Leeds continues to strengthen outcomes and experiences for children and young people with SEND.
Responsibilities
Your impact
* Lead the development, performance and transformation of SEND and inclusion services across the city - including SEND assessment and provision, inclusion services, alternative provision, SEND funding and educational psychology.
* Ensure statutory responsibilities are met while driving improvement in outcomes and experience for children, young people and families.
* Work closely with schools, early years providers, academy trusts, health partners and the voluntary sector to provide system leadership that promotes shared accountability, inclusive practice and high standards across Leeds.
* Champion co‑production with children, young people and families, embedding meaningful participation at the heart of service design and delivery.
* Lead the city’s SEND transformation and improvement programme, maintaining continuous readiness for Ofsted and CQC inspection and translating learning from feedback, complaints and inspection into sustainable improvement.
* Oversee significant budgets — including high needs funding — ensuring financial sustainability, strong governance and best value.
Corporate Leadership Responsibilities
* Lead the development, performance and transformation of SEND and Inclusion services across education, health and care, ensuring a coherent and sustainable system that meets statutory responsibilities and improves outcomes.
* Work in partnership with schools, early years providers, health partners and the voluntary and community sector to deliver a joined‑up approach to SEND and inclusion across the city.
* Contribute to the collective leadership of the Directorate and wider Council, supporting the delivery of the Children and Young People’s Plan and the Best City Ambition.
* Provide expert strategic advice to elected Members, senior leaders and partners on SEND, inclusion and related policy, shaping the future of inclusive education across the city.
* Collaborate across services and directorates to ensure the Council operates as a single, integrated organisation.
Chief Officer Responsibilities
* Act as corporate leaders across the Council, contributing to cross‑directorate initiatives, transformation programmes, organisational priorities and achieving the Leeds Ambitions.
* Work collaboratively with Directors, Chief Officers and senior leaders to ensure coherent and integrated service delivery.
* Lead and manage complex political and partnership relationships.
* Develop effective working relationships with elected Members, providing high‑quality strategic advice to inform decision‑making.
* Represent the Directorate and the Council in local, regional and national partnerships.
* Contribute to the collective leadership of the Directorate, supporting the Director of Children’s Services in delivering strategic priorities and statutory responsibilities.
* Deputise for the Director of Children’s Services when required, providing senior leadership on politically sensitive or high‑profile issues.
* Provide system leadership within the local area SEND system across education, health and care.
* Lead the development and delivery of the city’s SEND and inclusion strategy, ensuring provision is inclusive, high quality and sustainable.
* Promote shared accountability across partners for improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
Service Leadership and Delivery
* Work closely with the Chief Officer – Commissioning & Governance to ensure effective use of resources, workforce, and commissioning to deliver service priorities.
* Lead the delivery of SEND, alternative provision and inclusion services in partnership with schools, academies, early years settings and other providers.
* Ensure statutory responsibilities relating to SEND – assessment, planning and provision – are met.
* Lead the development and commissioning of specialist provision and inclusive education models across the city.
* Promote inclusive practice across education settings to ensure children and young people with SEND can access and thrive in mainstream provision wherever possible.
* Lead the development and implementation of the city’s alternative provision strategy.
* Ensure services operate in line with national legislation, statutory guidance and regulatory frameworks.
* Collaborate with the Chief Officer – Education to align pathways into and out of alternative provision with the education strategy.
* Maintain strong partnerships with schools, early years providers, health partners, the voluntary and community sector and regional networks.
* Provide strategic leadership and accountability for SEND partnership governance arrangements, including the SEND Improvement Board.
* Represent the Council in regional and national forums relating to SEND and inclusive education.
* Lead the Local Authority Nominated Officer role for the city’s SEND inspection.
Transformation and Continuous Improvement
* Lead the Council’s SEND transformation programme and associated improvement work.
* Drive continuous improvement through effective performance management, evidence‑based practice and partnership collaboration.
* Maintain an effective assurance system for areas of responsibility.
* Respond effectively to inspection findings, feedback and national policy developments.
* Ensure readiness for Ofsted and CQC inspections and translate learning into sustainable improvements.
* Provide strategic oversight of financial resources across SEND and Inclusion services, including the high needs funding system.
* Work with schools and education partners through the Schools Forum to support sustainable SEND provision.
* Develop financial strategies that support inclusive practice and long‑term sustainability.
Leadership of People
* Provide leadership and oversight of Heads of Service and senior managers.
* Develop a high‑performing workforce delivering excellent outcomes for children and families.
* Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
* Ensure effective workforce planning, leadership development and performance management.
* The duties outlined are not exhaustive and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate to the grade.
Qualifications
* Relevant degree qualification or substantial experience in working in this field together with substantial senior leadership and management experience relevant to the service area.
Essential Requirements
* Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the current local, regional and national issues and the legislative and political context relating to children’s social care and corporate parenting services.
* Demonstrate knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, policies, inspections and performance information and relevant strategic functions such as health, safety, security, confidentiality and data protection.
* Detailed knowledge and understanding of economic strategy and policy, an understanding of local government political systems and experience of working on politically sensitive issues including significant experience of developing productive working relationships with Council Members, trade unions and the Corporate Leadership Team.
* Evidence of working with partners and key stakeholders and forging and driving successful partnership programmes to deliver cross‑sector priorities and outcomes.
* Excellent communication, influencing, negotiating and establishing credibility across sectors to enhance reputation and form positive relationships.
* Experience of successful leadership and management of large‑scale complex change programmes.
* Evidence of ability to make reasoned and logical decisions allied with strong organisational skills.
* Significant successful senior leadership experience and substantial experience operating in a political environment.
* Extensive experience exercising sound judgement and providing clear advice at senior level.
* Experience of developing and implementing complex strategies leading to successful outcomes.
* Strong understanding of the legislative, policy and strategic context relating to SEND and inclusion.
* Extensive experience leading services within complex regulatory frameworks including Ofsted and CQC.
* Experience of working effectively with partners across education, health and social care.
* Excellent communication and influencing skills.
* Experience of managing politically sensitive issues.
Behavioural & Other Characteristics
* Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
* Committed to continuous improvement across all areas and to delivering the Leeds Ambitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities and a resilient sustainable city.
* Promote and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures, e.g. health, safety, security, confidentiality and data protection.
* Support equality for all, working in an anti‑discriminatory manner and upholding the values and standards of Leeds City Council.
* Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation or abuse, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
* Understand and observe Leeds City Council’s approach to equality, diversity and inclusion.
* Perform all duties with regard to the employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety policies.
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