Be a part of shaping an inclusive future for children and young people in North Yorkshire North Yorkshire Council is on an exciting journey to transform and strengthen our SEND services. We are committed to delivering outstanding outcomes for children and young people aged 0–25 with additional needs and we’re looking for an inspirational leader to join us. As our Lead for SEND Assessment (Quality, Performance and Practice), you will play a pivotal role in driving high‑quality practice, ensuring compliance with legislation, and embedding a culture of inclusion, collaboration and aspiration across the county. This is a role where your expertise, leadership and vision will have a direct impact on children, young people, their families and the professionals who support them. About the role As a senior leader in the SEND and Inclusion service, you will: Champion quality, performance and person‑centred practice Lead and supervise local SEND assessment teams, ensuring high standards of performance, compliance and person‑centred practice. Oversee the statutory assessment process, quality of decision‑making and the development of robust, high‑quality EHCPs. Maintain effective systems for monitoring, auditing and continuous improvement aligned to service priorities. Drive transformation and improvement Play a key role in reshaping SEND provision, supporting multi‑agency collaboration and delivering service transformation across localities. Lead on implementing learning from quality assurance activity, performance analysis and the development improvement plans. Support the implementation of innovative systems including the Digital EHCP across North Yorkshire. Lead people, resources and strategic development Manage and develop a team of specialist professionals, ensuring effective supervision, wellbeing support and reflective practice. Oversee local SEND resources such as placements and budget deployment to ensure value for money and positive impact. Contribute to strategic planning, workforce development and the delivery of the Local Area SEND Strategy. Build strong partnerships Work collaboratively with schools, settings, health, social care, parents/carers and young people to co-produce developments. Support SENCo networks and support education settings to embed inclusive practice and early intervention. Represent the service at local, regional and national forums. About you We’re looking for a committed, strategic and forward‑thinking leader with: Extensive knowledge of SEND legislation, statutory assessment processes and national developments. Significant experience in SEND practice, processes and partnership working. Strong leadership skills with experience of managing specialist teams and complex budgets. Excellent communication, influencing and relationship‑building skills. A track record of driving quality, performance and service transformation. The ability to work confidently across agencies, manage complex issues and deliver meaningful change. A degree‑level qualification is essential; additional SEND-related or leadership qualifications are desirable. Why Join us? Generous Annual Leave: 28 days of holiday (pro-rata), increasing to 34 days after 5 years’ service – plus public holidays. Pension Scheme: Save for your future with our generous Local Government Pension Scheme. Fitness Discounts: Discounted Gym memberships at various gyms across the county. Lifestyle Savings: Enjoy a wide range of discounts at hundreds of popular high-street and online retailers. And more: Additional wellbeing support, employee assistance, and development opportunities. This is a genuine opportunity to shape SEND services at a strategic level and ensure children and young people with additional needs receive the support, inclusion and opportunities they deserve. Ready to make a difference? If you’re passionate about SEND, motivated by challenge, and ready to lead transformational change, we’d love to hear from you. If you would like more information about this role, please contact Chris Reynolds, Head of SEND and Resources, via email at Chris.Reynolds@northyorks.gov.uk We look forward to exploring your interest and receiving your application. Key dates: Closing Date: Sunday 10 th May 2026