Experts at Hand Service Lead

North East Combined Authority; Sunderland; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Flexible hours

Wellbeing programme

Professional development

Salary and benefits

Job summary

Together for Children Sunderland seeks an experienced Experts at Hand Service Lead to provide strategic and operational leadership for the Experts at Hand service across schools, health, social care and family hubs. You will mobilise a cluster-based multidisciplinary offer, enabling access to specialist consultation, coaching, training and targeted support.

The role involves working with partner agencies to identify needs, drive service improvement and data-led planning, with a focus on earlier

Qualifications

• Degree level or equivalent in a relevant field (social work, teaching, psychology, education, health, SEND or related discipline).
• Experience of Special Educational Needs, EHCP processes and/or specialist inclusion services.
• Experience of working with multi-agency partners and developing effective partnerships.
• Proven experience of leading, motivating and managing people through change.
• Experience of service improvement, data-led planning, performance management and budget/resource planning.
• Experience implementing innovation in complex systems, especially early intervention or multi-disciplinary support models.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Experts at Hand service.
• Mobilise, deliver and evaluate cluster-based multidisciplinary offers with access to specialist consultation, coaching, training and targeted support.
• Work with education, health, social care, family hubs and partner services to ensure timely support for children and young people.

Skills

Leadership

Multi-agency collaboration

Data-driven planning

Budget management

Service improvement

Change management

Education

Degree or equivalent in social work/teaching/psychology/education/health/SEND

Job description

Experts at Hand Service Lead

Salary: Grade 10, SCP 42–46, £55224 - £59839 per annum

Working pattern: Full time 37 hours per week

Fixed Term until 31.03.2029

Location: Bunny Hill Centre, Sunderland / agile working

Closing date: 5th October 2026

Interview Date: 2nd November 2026

Join our Team

Together for Children Sunderland is on an exciting journey to strengthen inclusive practice and improve outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities as part of our implementation of National SEND Reform. We are looking for an experienced, confident and solution-focused leader to take forward the delivery and development of Sunderland’s Experts at Hand service.

This is a key opportunity to lead a developing multi-agency model that supports earlier identification, advice-led intervention and the development of stronger ordinarily available provision across schools, settings, family hubs and partner services. You will help ensure children and young people receive the right support at the right time, reducing escalation to statutory routes where appropriate and promoting inclusion as the default.

You can learn more about us here: Together for Children.

About the role

As Experts at Hand Service Lead, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the service, working closely with education, health, social care, family hubs, schools, settings, parent carer partners and the wider SEND service. You will support the mobilisation, delivery and evaluation of a cluster-based multidisciplinary offer, ensuring schools and settings can access specialist consultation, coaching, training, modelling and targeted support

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. We will also carry out an online internet search for information that is publicly available online that might suggest that you are not fit to work with children or young people.

We want you to apply if you:

• Are educated to degree level or equivalent, or other relevant qualification in social work, teaching, psychology, education, health, SEND or a related discipline
• Hold substantial recent experience of Special Educational Needs, EHCP processes and/or specialist inclusion services.
• Have experience of working with multi-agency partners including School staff, Social Care staff and Health colleagues and developing effective partnerships
• Hold proven experience of leading, motivating and managing people through change.
• Have experience of service improvement, data-led planning, performance management and budget or resource planning.
• Have experience of implementing innovation and change in complex systems, preferably including early intervention, graduated response or multi-disciplinary support models.

Why work with us?

• Make a difference: Our work matters. The work we do is incredibly rewarding. Join us and make a difference in the lives of our children, families, and community.
• Inclusion: Thrive in our diverse and inclusive culture and be part of our employee networks, including Accessibility, LGBTQ+, Racial Equality, Armed Forces and Menopause.
• Work-Life Balance: We offer a hybrid model of working with agile and flexible working arrangements, including part-time opportunities, flexible hours, and the possibility of remote work arrangements.
• Professional Development: Advance your career with our comprehensive induction, supervision, peer support, and supportive environment.
• Be part of a happier, healthier workforce: Benefit from our wide range of wellbeing activities and employee assistance programmes.
• Attractive Salary, Benefits and Rewards: for additional information please follow this link
• What our team think: About Us

We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including but not limited to various ages, disabilities, neurodiverse individuals, gender identities, sexual orientations, religions, beliefs, races, and ethnicities. We aim for our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

We are committed to making our application process accessible to everyone. Please reach out to our EDI Lead [e-mail] or [e-mail] so we can discuss any adjustments or support we can provide during the recruitment process or within the workplace.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants who can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked-after young person, are care experienced, or are a veteran.

Are you ready to make a difference?