SEND Access to Resources Manager
Inclusion Service – Lancashire County Council
Salary: £46,142 – £51,356 (Grade 10)
Location: Lancashire (Hybrid / Countywide)
Lead the System That Secures the Right Provision. Shape a Market That Works for Children.
If you are an experienced SEND or commissioning leader who thrives on complex decision‑making, market shaping and ensuring children access the right provision at the right time, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a county‑wide impact.
Lancashire’s Inclusion Service is committed to ensuring children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities access high‑quality, safe and sustainable provision that meets need and delivers positive outcomes. Central to this ambition is our Access to Resources Team (ART).
As SEND Access to Resources Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for placement finding, contract monitoring, and market intelligence — overseeing high‑risk, high‑cost provision and shaping a resilient provider market that supports both statutory delivery and long‑term sustainability.
This is a role where your leadership directly influences quality, value for money and outcomes for children and young people across Lancashire.
About The Role
You will lead the Access to Resources Team, providing clear direction, strong governance and professional oversight across placement finding, provider oversight and market management. You will ensure that children and young people access appropriate, high‑quality provision — including Independent Non‑Maintained Special Schools (INMSS) — in a timely, lawful and value‑for‑money way.
Your role will involve overseeing high‑risk and high‑cost placements, leading quality assurance and improvement activity, and escalating concerns appropriately, including engagement with the Department for Education and Ofsted where required. You will resolve complex provider issues, complaints and placement challenges, working closely with Inclusion, Education, Commissioning, Finance and Legal colleagues.
You will play a key role in shaping the SEND provider market, using intelligence and data to inform sufficiency planning, mitigate risk and support sustainable provision that meets current and future need. This is a highly collaborative role requiring strong leadership, sound judgement and the confidence to operate in high‑pressure environments.
About You
You will bring significant leadership experience within SEND, education, commissioning or Children’s Services, alongside a strong understanding of the SEND legal framework, including the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice.
You are confident managing complex, high‑risk and high‑cost provision and working with external providers within financial, governance and regulatory frameworks. You understand market management, contract monitoring and provider sustainability, and you are comfortable analysing intelligence to inform strategic decision‑making.
As a leader, you are calm, resilient and values‑driven. You communicate clearly, influence effectively and work collaboratively across organisational boundaries. You bring professional integrity, strong judgement and a relentless focus on quality, outcomes and value for money.
You will hold a degree‑level qualification or equivalent relevant professional experience. This is an essential car user post and you must be able to provide a vehicle insured for business use. We may consider you if you cannot drive because of a disability.
Benefits
We offer hybrid working, flexible hours and a culture that prioritises wellbeing.
You’ll receive 26 days’ annual leave (rising to 32 with service), 10 bank holidays and the option to purchase additional leave.
Additional benefits include the Local Government Pension Scheme, Employee Assistance Programme and a wide range of staff discounts and salary‑sacrifice benefits.
Professional Development
You’ll be supported with ongoing professional development and opportunities to influence system‑wide improvement across SEND and education services.
Inclusive Culture
We work collaboratively, support one another and stay focused on what matters most — improving outcomes for children and young people. We value integrity, innovation and shared responsibility.
Legal & EEO
The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a disclosure.
We are an equal opportunities employer. All qualified applicants will receive full consideration for employment.
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