Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the education and well-being of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)? West Berkshire Council is seeking a dedicated and experienced professional to join our Education Services team as the Service Lead for SEND, reporting to the Service Director for Education.
The Role
Responsibilities
As the Service Lead for SEND, you will play a crucial role in the effective leadership and management of the SEND Service, ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality services to children, young people, and their families. You will be responsible for:
* Leading the SEND Service, providing guidance and support to a team of dedicated professionals
* Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, statutory requirements, and Ofsted expectations
* Working collaboratively with key stakeholders, including schools, parents/carers, and external agencies, to promote inclusive education and improve outcomes for SEND learners
* Overseeing the assessment and review processes for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
* Monitoring and reporting on SEND performance data, providing regular updates to the Service Director and Education Overview and Scrutiny Commission
* Contributing to the strategic planning and development of SEND services at a local authority level
The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and attributes:
* Extensive knowledge and experience in leading and managing SEND services within an education context
* In-depth understanding of SEND legislation, including the Equality Act 2010 and Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice
* Proven ability to drive improvement and achieve positive outcomes for children and young people with SEND
* Excellent leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a team
* Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the capacity to build effective relationships with parents, schools, and external partners
* Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal
* Ability to analyse data, identify trends, and make evidence-based recommendations
Benefits
West Berkshire Council is committed to supporting and developing its employees. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a range of excellent employment benefits, including:
* Flexible working arrangements to promote work-life balance
* Access to a wide range of relevant training and professional development opportunities
* Local Government Pension Scheme
* Family-friendly policies, including generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
* A range of local discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities
* Free parking at our Market Street offices
* Relocation package of up to £5,000 for eligible candidates
* You will also be entitled to a generous annual leave entitlement starting at 30 days per annum (plus public holidays) rising by an additional 5 days after 5 years’ service
Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Annmarie Dodds — Executive Director – (People) CFS at AnnMarie.Dodds1@westberks.gov.uk
Join us at West Berkshire Council and make a positive impact in our community while advancing your career.
Explore everything that a career with West Berkshire Council has to offer here: Working with Us
Equal Opportunities
The Council supports Equal Opportunity of employment, and positively encourages applications from people who fall within any of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
How To Apply
Please now complete a short online application form. You will then be able to upload your CV.
This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016; the requirement to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English applies.
All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.
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