School Place Planning Sufficiency Principal (SEND)

Lancashire County Council; Brighton; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Local Government Pension Scheme

Excellent annual leave entitlement

Job summary

Lancashire County Council is seeking a School Place Planning Sufficiency Principal (SEND) to lead strategic planning of SEND provision across Lancashire. Based in County Hall, Preston, with hybrid working, you will forecast demand, shape provision, and oversee the SEND capital programme.

You will collaborate with schools, academy trusts, dioceses and partners to ensure the SEND estate meets future demand and statutory duties, while developing staff and reporting to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Extensive experience in SEND, education, sufficiency planning.
• Experience analyzing complex data and presenting findings to diverse audiences.
• Experience leading projects and managing staff.
• Excellent report-writing and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Project Management qualification.
• Knowledge of SEND legislation (Children and Families Act 2014).

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of Lancashire's SEND sufficiency strategy.
• Analyse demand, trends, demographic change and housing growth to identify future SEND place requirements.
• Oversee the annual review of SEND sufficiency and contribute to statutory returns (SCAP).
• Develop SEND capital programme and commission places through school expansions and new provision.
• Collaborate with schools, academy trusts, dioceses, partners and communities.
• Prepare reports, briefings and business cases for senior leadership and elected members.
• Lead, support and develop staff within the SEND sufficiency function.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Team leadership

Communication

Education

Degree-level qualification

Job description

Job-ID: 21299Category: EducationLocation: Preston, Lancashire, United KingdomSchedule: Full timePosted: 2026-10-08Closes: 2026-11-13Salary 53,051

Do you have the following skills, experience and drive to succeed in this role Find out below.

• 57,447 Per annum | 37 hours per week | Full time, Permanent | Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom In return Lancashire County Council offers a range of benefits, which can be found on LCC Vacancies website.We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.DBSThe post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013).

Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.

Local Government Reorganisation The Government has confirmed that local government across Lancashire will be reorganised, with the current 15 councils being replaced by four new unitary councils covering North, South, East and West Lancashire from April 2029.

If you are successful in your application, you will initially join Lancashire County Council. However, as part of the planned transition, your employment will transfer to one of the new unitary councils from April 2029, subject to the implementation of the reorganisation and relevant employment legislation. Throughout this period, our focus remains on delivering excellent services to our communities.

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

School Place Planning Sufficiency Principal (SEND)

• Grade 11Education & Children's Services
• School Place Planning TeamLocation: County Hall, Preston / Hybrid WorkingSalary: 53,051
• 57,447Contract: PermanentLead the Strategic Planning of SEND Provision Across LancashireLancashire County Council is committed to ensuring that every child and young person with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can access the right provision in the right place at the right time.We are seeking an experienced, strategic and forward-thinking professional to lead Lancashire's approach to SEND sufficiency planning.

This is a high-profile role with responsibility for forecasting future demand, shaping specialist provision, influencing capital investment and ensuring the Council meets its statutory duties for children and young people with SEND.

About the Role

As School Place Planning Sufficiency Principal (SEND), you will lead the Council's strategic programme for SEND school place sufficiency across Lancashire. Working as part of the senior management team within School Place Planning, you will oversee demand forecasting, capital investment planning, SEND place commissioning and the identification of future provision requirements.

You will work collaboratively with schools, academy trusts, dioceses, elected members, developers, planners and senior officers to ensure Lancashire has a sustainable and effective SEND estate capable of meeting future demand. This is a unique opportunity to influence strategic decision-making, shape future education infrastructure and make a lasting difference to children, young people and families across Lancashire.

What You'll Be Doing

Lead the development, review and implementation of Lancashire's SEND sufficiency strategy. Analyse demand, trends, demographic change and housing growth to identify future SEND place requirements. Lead on the annual review of SEND sufficiency and contribute to statutory returns, including the School Capacity Survey (SCAP). Work closely with colleagues to develop and deliver the SEND Capital Programme. Commission additional SEND places through school expansions, specialist units, resource provisions and new schools. Contribute to Local Plan consultations and infrastructure planning across Lancashire's districts. Develop approaches to securing developer contributions towards future SEND provision. Prepare reports, briefings, business cases and recommendations for senior leadership, Cabinet and elected members. Build and maintain strong relationships with schools, trusts, dioceses, partners and communities. Lead, support and develop staff within the SEND sufficiency function.

About You

We're looking for someone who can combine strategic thinking with practical delivery. You will be:

• An experienced education, SEND or planning professional.
• Comfortable working with complex data and translating analysis into practical solutions.
• A confident communicator capable of engaging with senior stakeholders and elected members.
• An effective project and programme manager.
• A strong leader who can motivate and support colleagues.
• Skilled at balancing competing priorities within a fast‑paced environment.
• Passionate about securing positive outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Knowledge and Experience

EssentialDegree-level qualification or equivalent relevant experience. Significant experience of working within SEND, education, school organisation, sufficiency planning or a related field. Detailed understanding of SEND legislation, including the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice. Experience of analysing complex data and presenting findings to a variety of audiences. Experience of managing projects and programmes of work. Experience of leading, coaching or managing staff. Excellent report-writing, stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

Project Management qualification.

Experience of education capital programmes, commissioning or school place planning. Knowledge of planning policy, infrastructure planning and developer contributions.

The Lancashire Mindset

GrowthContinuously learning, developing and improving.OwnershipTaking responsibility and delivering high-quality outcomes.OptimismApproaching challenges positively and seeking solutions.Positive ImpactMaking a meaningful difference for Lancashire's residents and communities.

What We Offer

Competitive salary.Hybrid and flexible working opportunities.Generous Local Government Pension Scheme.Excellent annual leave entitlement.Access to training, leadership development and career progression opportunities.A supportive and collaborative working environment.The opportunity to influence strategic SEND provision across one of the largest local authorities in the country.

Our Values

• valuing and encouraging others.Innovative
• seeking better ways to deliver services.Respectful
• treating everyone fairly and with dignity.Collaborative
• working together to achieve the best outcomes.Additional InformationThis is an essential car user post.

The successful applicant will be required to provide a vehicle for business use and hold appropriate business insurance cover.

Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability.

Job Description and Person Specification

Closing Date: 13th November 2026Interview Date: w/c 23rd November 2026Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.