Head of SEND

Newcastle City Council; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Newcastle City Council is seeking a strategic Head of SEND to lead system-wide improvement across Newcastle's SEND services and partnerships. You will work with schools, health colleagues, social care, families and young people to deliver the Local Area SEND Transformation Plan, ensure high-quality statutory services, and secure sustainable outcomes for the future.

This role requires vision, resilience and the ability to inspire cross-agency collaboration in a demanding but rewarding

Qualifications

• Significant strategic leadership experience within SEND, education, local government or related sector.
• Strong understanding of SEND legislation and policy framework.
• Track record of leading complex change and improvement programmes.
• Passion for inclusion and improving life chances.
• Ability to inspire confidence, build relationships and influence across boundaries.
• Commitment to partnership working and co-production with families and young people.

Responsibilities

• Champion the voices and aspirations of children and young people with SEND.
• Develop a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Deliver the Local Area SEND Transformation Plan.
• Drive inclusive practice across schools and settings.
• Strengthen relationships with families and partners.
• Support effective management of the High Needs budget.
• Ensure high-quality statutory services and provision.

Skills

Strategic leadership

SEND policy knowledge

Change management

Partnerships

Influence across boundaries

Co-production with families

Resilience

Job description

This is an exciting time to join Newcastle. We have a mature SEND system with strong foundations, collaborative partnerships and an unwavering commitment to inclusion. Across the city, schools, settings, health partners, families and services are working together to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Our schools recognise that inclusion is everyone's responsibility and share a collective commitment to providing the very best educational opportunities for all children and young people. Building on these strengths, we are now embarking on the delivery of our approved Local Area SEND Transformation Plan, a significant programme of change that will reshape and strengthen the way we support children, young people and families. This creates a unique opportunity for an ambitious leader to help drive system-wide improvement, increase inclusion, develop local provision, improve experiences for families and secure sustainable outcomes for the future. As Head of SEND, you will provide strategic leadership across Newcastle's SEND services and partnerships. You will work closely with schools, trusts, health colleagues, social care partners, parent carers and young people to ensure that children and young people with SEND receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time. You will lead a diverse portfolio of services and play a key role in:

Responsibilities

• Championing the voices and aspirations of children and young people with SEND.
• Continuing to develop a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement across the local area.
• Delivering the Local Area SEND Transformation Plan.
• Driving inclusive practice across schools and settings.
• Strengthening relationships with families and partners.
• Supporting effective management of the High Needs budget.
• Ensuring high-quality statutory services and provision.

Qualifications

• Has significant strategic leadership experience within SEND, education, local government or a related sector.
• Brings a strong understanding of the SEND legislative and policy framework.
• Has a track record of leading complex change and improvement programmes.
• Is passionate about inclusion and improving life chances.
• Can inspire confidence, build relationships and influence across organisational boundaries.
• Understands the importance of partnership working and co-production with families, children and young people.
• Has the resilience, credibility and vision required to lead in a demanding but rewarding environment.

At Newcastle, we are proud of our children, young people and families, and we are ambitious for their future. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, achieve and belong in their local community. Our vision is simple we will Get It Right Together., In return, you will join a city that is ambitious for its children and young people, committed to partnership, and determined to create an inclusive education system where every child can succeed. You'll work alongside talented colleagues, committed schools and passionate partners who share a belief that together we can achieve more than any organisation can alone.