Head of SEND Assessment & Review – Strategic Leader (Flexible Hours)

AWD online; Matlock; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Flexi-time scheme with the ability to

Job summary

AWD Online is seeking a Head of SEND Assessment and Review to shape statutory SEND services, drive improvement and improve outcomes for children, young people and families. You will lead EHC needs assessments, EHCPs, annual reviews, mediation and tribunal activity across education, health and social care, with strategic influence on improvement and partnership working.

The role focuses on embedding child-centred practice countywide, managing performance, budgets and workforce development to

Qualifications

• Substantial leadership and management experience within a local authority inclusion service.
• Experience of multi-agency partnership working and delivering collaborative strategies.
• Experience of recruiting, managing and developing staff and strengthening performance.
• Experience of statutory EHC assessment, planning and review, including disagreement resolution and tribunal processes.
• Experience of strategic change, operational procedure development, quality assurance, practice improvement and workforce development.
• Knowledge of SEND legislation, policy and practice, Local Area SEND inspection, inclusion, preparation for adulthood and safeguarding.
• Strategic planning, analysis, funding models, budgets, reporting, chairing, organisation and communication skills, with political awareness.
• Degree-level education, or equivalent knowledge, skills and expertise from leadership within SEND, education, health, social care or related statutory services.
• Ability to travel throughout the county

Responsibilities

• Strategic SEND Leadership: Lead statutory SEND assessment, planning, review, mediation and appeals services and shape service strategy, business planning and performance.
• Statutory Quality and Compliance: Ensure EHC needs assessments, EHCPs, annual reviews and commissioning arrangements meet legislative requirements and quality standards.
• Improvement and Inspection Readiness: Drive continuous improvement, quality assurance and readiness for Local Area SEND inspection, contributing to self-evaluation and improvement activity.
• Performance and Outcomes: Use data, insight and feedback to monitor performance, outcomes and destinations and inform service and provision planning.
• Partnership and Coproduction: Build effective relationships with children, young people, families, education settings, health, social care and other partners.
• Decision-Making and Resolution: Oversee multi-agency decision-making, chair the Multi-Agency Panel and lead approaches to mediation, tribunal and early dispute resolution.
• People and Resources: Lead workforce development, service budgets and high-needs funding while promoting consistent practice across locality teams.

Job description

AWD Online is seeking a Head of SEND Assessment and Review to shape statutory SEND services, drive improvement and improve outcomes for children, young people and families. You will lead EHC needs assessments, EHCPs, annual reviews, mediation and tribunal activity across education, health and social care, with strategic influence on improvement and partnership working.

The role focuses on embedding child-centred practice countywide, managing performance, budgets and workforce development to