Lead Specialist Teacher

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

LGPS pension with extra contributions

Learning & development opportunities

Car lease scheme

Discounts at retailers

Online GP appointments

Employee assistance programme

Physiotherapy services

Job summary

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is seeking an experienced SEND leadership professional to lead a team of Specialist Teachers. You will shape the strategic and operational delivery of SEND provision across mainstream and specialist settings, working to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

You will design, coordinate, deliver and evaluate the CPD programme, supervise quality assurance of SEND Units, and ensure effective deployment of specialist staff.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience supporting children and young people with SEND.
• Proven ability to develop inclusive practice across mainstream and specialist settings.
• Experience designing and delivering high-quality training and CPD.
• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Ability to work with schools, families and partner organisations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to the Specialist Teachers team.
• Coordinate, deliver and evaluate the CPD programme.
• Provide supervision and quality assurance of SEND Units.
• Support deployment and development of Specialist Teachers.
• Work with Team Manager for Experts at Hand.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Team management

CPD design

Quality assurance

Casework oversight

Inter-agency collab

Stakeholder engagement

Training delivery

Job description

Experts at Hand is a dedicated and ambitious team within Children's Services, committed to improving outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across Stockton.

Working collaboratively with schools, educational settings and partner agencies, we champion inclusive practice and provide specialist support that helps children and young people thrive and achieve their potential.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to make a difference to the lives of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Stockton.

You will provide strategic & operational leadership, management and professional supervision to a team of Specialist Teachers delivering support across educational settings working alongside the Team Manager for Experts at Hand.

You will be responsible for the design, coordination, delivery and evaluation of the team's Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme. This includes supporting schools, settings and professionals to develop their knowledge, skills and confidence in meeting SEND needs within inclusive mainstream environments.

You will also provide professional oversight & quality assurance of the SEND Units and Additional Resourced Provisions, supporting the development of inclusive practice, effective provision and improved outcomes for children and young people across mainstream and specialist settings and support mainstream schools to develop their inclusive practice.

The role combines:

• Leadership
• Service development
• Quality assurance
• Casework oversight
• Direct specialist involvement in complex cases

You will also ensure the effective deployment and development of Specialist Teachers within the service and work alongside a dedicated, motivated and ambitious Children’s Services Team.

We're looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
• Has substantial experience supporting children and young people with a range of special educational needs and disabilities.
• Has a proven ability to develop inclusive practice and improve provision across mainstream and specialist environments.
• Is confident designing and delivering high-quality training and professional development programmes.
• Builds positive relationships with schools, families and partner organisations to achieve the best outcomes for children and young people.

To learn more about the role and what we're looking for, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification in the Supporting Documents section.

Why join us?

At Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, we know that great people deliver great services. That's why we are committed to creating a workplace where employees are trusted, valued and supported.

In return, we offer an attractive benefits package designed to support your career, wellbeing and work-life balance, including:

• A competitive salary
• Generous Pension Scheme through the LGPS with ability to pay extra and plan for retirement.
• Access to a number of other employee benefits including learning & development opportunities, a car lease scheme, discounts at high street and online retailers, access to online GP appointments, an employee assistance programme and physiotherapy services.

Think this could be the right opportunity for you?

We'd love to hear from you. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact:

Ellie Hopwood - Service Lead for SEND Assessment & Review

[e-mail]

01642528345

We expect to hold interviews on 19 November 2026. If you are shortlisted, you will be notified via North East Jobs.

Please note that we’re unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role, so candidates will need to have an existing right to work in the UK.

Important Applicant Guidance

Accuracy and Use of AI Tools: You must ensure that anything submitted in your application is factually accurate. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications; submissions must be truthful and relevant to your own experience.

Application Updates and Communication:

All updates regarding your application, including interview invitations, will be sent from ‘[e-mail]’ to the email linked to your North East Jobs account, and will also appear in the ‘My Messages’ section of your account.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions):

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended). Applicants are therefore required to disclose all criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings, including those which would normally be considered spent, subject to the filtering rules applicable under current legislation.

Right to Work:

All applicants must provide valid proof of their right to work in the UK in accordance with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s statutory employment checks. Employment cannot commence or continue unless this has been verified.

Council Principles:

The Council’s recruitment principles require fairness, transparency, and a commitment to attracting and developing local talent.

Limitations:

Where an individual cannot demonstrate a valid right to work in the UK, the Council will be unable to progress or continue the appointment. This includes cases where an existing employee’s visa is due to expire and sponsorship is not granted.