About The Job
Some key information
This is a hybrid role with an expectation of being on site three days a week to develop and maintain strong relationships with teams and partners.
This is a key leadership role within Children, Families & Education, where you can lead meaningful change for children and young people with SEND in Somerset.
33 days annual leave - plus bank holidays
Permanent contract
37 hours per week
What will I be doing?
You'll lead our SEND improvement and transformation journey, driving up quality, boosting inclusion, and helping ensure families receive the right support at the right time.
You'll work closely with schools, health partners, families and colleagues across the Council to shape a more effective, sustainable system.
You'll have strategic oversight of performance, quality assurance, inspection readiness, programme delivery and financial sustainability - including shared responsibility for the High Needs Block. You'll also lead multi‑year transformation work, particularly around data, performance and system development.
What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?
We're looking for someone with strong SEND expertise, credible senior leadership experience in education, and a track record of making improvements at pace.
You'll need to be confident in complex decision‑making, skilled in partnership working, and comfortable operating in a fast‑moving and politically sensitive environment. Programme/Project management and change leadership skills are also essential.
If you're passionate about improving outcomes, driven by inclusion, and ready to take on ambitious system‑wide change, this could be a great next step for you.
We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be.
We're proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.
We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there's anything you want to talk about before you apply.
What's in it for me?
Think rolling hills, stunning coastlines, and vibrant market towns. Somerset offers a fantastic quality of life – whether you're into countryside walks, historic villages, or great food and drink. Plus, you're never far from Bristol, Bath, and Exeter for a little bit of "City buzz" when you want it.
We're proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.
We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management, as well as some fantastic employee benefits:
We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave.
Staff discounts in gyms.
Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more…
Anything else I should know?
The salary for the role is Grade 6 - £65,090 per annum.
For an informal chat about the role, please contact Rowan Griffin, Interim SEN Programme Lead, via
interviews to take place week commencing 9th March 2026
When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and ensure that any gaps in employment are explained. Please start with your current or most recent employment.
If you have all the information you need, just hit the apply button - we can't wait to hear from you.
DBS information
In this role you will require a criminal background check via Disclosure and Barring Service.