Best Start in Life Lead Teacher - SEND - Ref: CH09826

Walsall Council; Walsall; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

29 days annual leave

LGPS

Development opportunities

Wellbeing & work-life balance

Job summary

Walsall Council's Best Start in Life service invites applications for the Best Start in Life Lead Teacher: SEND Transitions and Vulnerable Groups. You will provide borough-wide specialist educational support to improve transitions from birth to five across early years settings, nursery and Reception for the most vulnerable children.

You will join a proactive team committed to inclusion, early intervention and strong partnerships with health, education and family services.

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is essential.
• Significant experience teaching children with SEND.
• Experience as a SENCO and leading inclusive practice.
• Solid knowledge of SEND Code of Practice, EYFS, and related acts.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of inclusive early years transition framework.
• Support SEND and vulnerable groups to experience positive transitions.
• Provide specialist advice, coaching and constructive challenge to providers/partners.
• Analyse local data to identify vulnerable cohorts and target support.
• Strengthen practice, inclusion and school readiness across the borough.
• Collaborate with families and professionals to remove barriers.

Skills

QTS

SEND experience

SENCO

Code of Practice knowledge

Transition support

Coaching

Data analysis

Partnership working

Outcome focus

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Job description

Best Start in Life Lead Teacher: SEND Transitions and Vulnerable Groups - Ref: CH09826

Salary: G10 SCP 36-39 (£48,738 - £51,928 per annum)
37 hours per week | Permanent

As the Best Start in Life Lead Teacher, you will provide borough-wide specialist educational support to improve transitions across the early year’s pathways and into settings, nursery and Reception for the most vulnerable children.

You will join a strong and aspirational Best Start in Life service committed to early intervention, inclusion and improving life chances for children and families.

This is a unique opportunity to help shape a new and ambitious service focused on improving outcomes for children from birth to five.

At Walsall Council we offer:

• The opportunity to influence practice across an entire borough.
• Strong multi-agency partnerships across education, health and family services.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Up to 29 days annual leave, rising to 34 days after five years' continuous local government service.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Access to learning and professional development opportunities.
• A strong commitment to wellbeing, inclusion and work-life balance.
  

This post requires regular travel across Walsall and the ability to work flexibly from a range of locations including Family Hubs, community venues and settings.

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

This post is covered by the Government's Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for Public Sector Workers.

Closing Date: Friday 20th November 2026

Interview Date: Must be available week beginning 30th November or 7th December 2026

Join us and help ensure every child in Walsall experiences a positive, inclusive and successful start to their educational journey

This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.

Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment. We will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce. Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Note:Applicants appointed to posts that require an enhanced DBS clearance must declare any periods of time that they have lived, studied or worked abroad and be prepared to provide an Overseas Criminal Records Certificate (OCRC) or a Statement of Good Conduct (SOGC) relating to anytime they were overseas.

At Walsall Council, we appreciate that AI can be a useful tool for ideas or guidance. However, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and experiences. Over-reliance on AI can make responses feel less personal, and we really want to understand what makes you unique. Your experiences, skills, and perspective are what set you apart, so please ensure your application as a whole – particularly your ‘Supporting Information’ – reflects your own voice.

Walsall Council’s Children’s Services are the only Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ local authority in the Black Country. During a visit in May 2025, Inspectors described Walsall Council as a place where children were at the heart of. The council’s journey of continuous improvement started in 2017 and has since transformed into a service with a clear vision, clear priorities and a clear plan, all informed by the views of our staff and children. Staff are at the core of delivering great outcomes for children and young people in Walsall, which is underpinned by our Walsall Right 4 Children vision. The latest Ofsted inspection demonstrated that staff in children’s services are proud to work for Walsall Council and feel supported to do great work.

Working across education, SEND, Family Hubs, health and wider children's services, you will:

• Lead the development and implementation of Walsall's inclusive early years transition framework.
• Support children with SEND and vulnerable groups to experience positive and successful transitions.
• Provide specialist advice, coaching and constructive challenge to early year's providers and partners.
• Analyse local intelligence and data to identify vulnerable cohorts and target support where it is needed most.
• Strengthen professional practice, inclusion and school readiness across the borough.
• Work collaboratively with families and professionals to remove barriers and improve outcomes for children.

We are looking for an experienced, credible and passionate professional who can influence others and drive improvement through collaboration.

You will have:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Significant experience teaching children with SEND and vulnerable groups within early years and/or primary education.
• Experience working as a SENCO and leading inclusive practice.
• Excellent knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice, EYFS Statutory Framework, Children and Families Act and Equality Act.
• Experience of supporting transition, school readiness and inclusion.
• Strong coaching, influencing and partnership working skills.
• The ability to analyse information, identify priorities and translate evidence into effective action.
• A commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.