Designated Social Care Officer for SEND

Luton Borough Council; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is looking for a Designated Social Care Officer to lead the development and delivery of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services. This role involves collaboration with multi-agency partners, promoting the voices of families in service planning, and ensuring effective cross-agency strategies. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in social work and significant experience in SEND. Competitive salary and excellent staff benefits including flexible working and generous leave options are offered.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Generous relocation package

Employee Assistance Programme

Unlimited training and support

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading and developing SEND services.
• In-depth knowledge of key SEND legislation and policies.
• Proven ability to increase participation of families in service design.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for social care elements of the Local Area SEND strategy.
• Collaborate with multi-agency partners for service delivery.
• Champion the voices of children, young people, and families in decisions.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Influencing skills

Negotiation skills

Team management

Education

Recognized professional qualification in Social Work

Job description

About The Job

Salary: £53,460 - £56,681 a year plus £3,203 car benefit allowance

Hours per week: 37

Contract type: Permanent

As Designated Social Care Officer, you will be responsible for the strategic development, operational delivery, and continuous improvement of Children’s Services and statutory social work interventions relating to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

You will act as the lead officer for Social Care within the Local Area SEND Service, influencing the design and delivery of services that reflect the needs and voices of children, young people, and families. Working closely with NHS and Department for Education colleagues, you will help shape a coherent, joined‑up SEND strategy that meets our legal duties under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice (2015).

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for social care elements of the Local Area SEND strategy.
• Collaborate with multi‑agency partners to design and deliver integrated, person‑centred services.
• Use intelligence, data, and insight to inform service development and drive performance.
• Champion the voice of children, young people, and families – ensuring they are heard and reflected in decisions.
• Strengthen cross‑sector relationships, including with education, health, voluntary sector partners, and the Parent Carer Forum (EPIC Luton).
• Support the transition of young people with SEND into adulthood through effective cross‑agency planning.

Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.

About You

You are a dynamic, influential professional with deep expertise in SEND and a strong background in social care. You are passionate about achieving positive outcomes for children and families and bring strategic thinking, partnership‑building, and a solution‑focused mindset.

You Will Bring

• A recognised professional qualification in Social Work.
• Significant experience leading and developing SEND services in collaboration with multi‑agency partners.
• A strong track record of motivating and managing teams to achieve performance outcomes.
• In‑depth knowledge of key SEND legislation and policies, including the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice, and equalities legislation.
• Proven ability to increase participation of families in service design and delivery.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills – with the ability to work across all levels and sectors.
• Experience of preparing high‑quality reports and strategic briefings to shape service direction.

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to play a central role in shaping the future of SEND services in Luton. You’ll be part of a forward‑thinking, collaborative leadership team committed to innovation, inclusion, and co‑production. We offer a supportive work environment where your expertise will directly contribute to improving outcomes for children and families across the borough.

About Us

Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision – that no‑one in Luton will have to live in poverty – is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents.

The people of Luton depend heavily on this council – and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our borough.

Application process

Because of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare all unspent cautions and convictions; and also any adult cautions (simple or conditional), and spent convictions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020). A person’s criminal record will not in itself prevent a person from being appointed to this post. Applicants will not be refused posts because of offences which are not relevant to, and do not place them at or make them a risk in, the role for which they are applying. However in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such offence, as detailed above, will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority.

Additional Information

We offer a range of excellent staff benefits which include:

• From 25 to 32 days’ annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
• Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
• Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
• Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3x salary death in service grant
• Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
• Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
• Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part‑time hours and alternative working patterns
• Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
• Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
• Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel
• Friday Funday Socials - One Friday every 2 months where we encourage our staff to get together to socialise after work