SEN Advisory Service Manager
TRAFFORD COUNCIL
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Trafford Council is seeking an experienced SENAS Manager to lead a team of Specialist Teachers, Teaching Assistants and Early Years SENCos across Trafford’s schools and settings.
You will contribute to the SEND Reform Plan, drive OAIP implementation, and foster an inclusive culture while delivering high-quality advisory services. A proactive leader with SEND expertise is essential.
Qualifications
- Proven experience leading, managing and developing staff to deliver a high-quality SEN advisory service.
- Demonstrable collaborative skills when working with others and within a team.
- Deep understanding of the SEND Code of Practice (0–25 years) and SEND Reform.
- Commitment to learning and continuous improvement in line with EPIC values.
Responsibilities
- Lead a strong team of Specialist Teachers, Teaching Assistants and Early Years SENCos.
- Support inclusion of children and young people with SEND in mainstream settings across Trafford.
- Deliver specialist SEN advisory support and collaborate with services to implement OAIP.
- Drive delivery of Trafford’s SEND Reform Plan and Expert at Hands offer.
Skills
Education
Job description
Working Pattern: Full time
Working Arrangement: Permanent
Interview Date/Type: 08 October 2026 / In person
SMART Working: We aim to offer flexibility wherever possible. Many of our colleagues work from home one or more days a week and/or adjust their hours. We call this SMART working - giving you the freedom to shape your working pattern around your life, whilst still delivering great outcomes. Speak with the hiring manager about the range of flexible working options available for this role.
We have an exciting opportunity as Trafford SEN Advisory Service (SENAS) Manager to lead a strong team of Specialist Teachers, Teaching Assistants and Early Years SENCos to support the inclusion of children and young people with SEND in Trafford mainstream schools, colleges and Early Years settings.
As SENAS Manager you will contribute to our SEND Ambitions and the delivery of Trafford’s SEND Reform Plan. You will support SEND improvement in schools and Early Years settings ensuring Ordinarily Available Inclusive Provision (OAIP) is implemented across all schools and settings and an inclusive culture is encouraged. You will demonstrate effective leadership and collaborative skills to deliver specialist support to schools and settings and collaborate with services to implement our Expert at Hands offer.
You will have proven experience of leading, managing and developing staff to deliver, and continue to evolve, a high-quality SEN advisory service. You will be able to demonstrate collaborative skills when working with others and as part of a team. You will have a strong educational background and an area of expertise and experience in the field of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). You will have an in-depth understanding of the SEND Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years and of the SEND Reform: putting children and young people first. Your approach will reflect our EPIC values and behaviours, and you will be committed to learning and continuous improvement.
- An enhanced DBS will be required.
- You will be required to visit schools and settings across Trafford and occasionally beyond the Trafford borough. You will be asked for a copy of your driving license as part of the recruitment process.
- You may be required from time to time to work outside core hours, in which case Trafford’s TOIL Policy would be applied.
For the full details of this opportunity, please refer to the role profile linked below.
If you have any questions or would like an informal chat you can get in contact with the hiring manager, Dr Alison Gurney at alison.gurney@trafford.gov.uk
Trafford is a vibrant, inclusive borough at the heart of Greater Manchester. Home to 235,000 residents, four thriving town centres, over 11,000 businesses, and 60+ parks and green spaces. We’re a place where community and opportunity meet. With excellent transport links, a proud heritage as the birthplace of the NHS, world-class sporting venues and outstanding schools, Trafford is a fantastic place to live, work, and thrive.
We’re more than just a local authority; we’re a team of passionate people committed to making a real difference. We deliver essential services that matter, from education and social care to business support, licensing, libraries and leisure and much more. No matter what your role is with us, you will help us to create a borough where all our "residents, businesses and communities thrive".
Our values are at the heart of everything we do. They’re not just words on a wall, they shape how we work together, make decisions, and support each other every day.
They help us create a workplace where everyone feels valued, heard, and inspired to do their best. If you share these values and want your work to have real purpose and impact, Trafford is the perfect place to grow your career.
Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, development and work-life balance:
- Generous Leave: Start with 26 days of annual leave (plus bank holidays), with options to carry over or buy extra days.
- Flexible Perks: Discounts on car leasing, cycle to work, home tech, plus family friendly policies and hybrid working
- Invest in your future: Join our generous Local Government Pension Scheme for peace of mind.
- Grow with us: We'll support your development at every stage! Through leadership programmes like our EPIC Manager, LEAP into leadership and senior leadership. Plus, you'll have access to specialist qualifications and personal coaching to unlock your full potential.
- Wellbeing First: Guided wellbeing walks and "Tea and Talk" sessions, and events like World Mental Health and National Fitness Day.
- Connect with us: Connect with colleagues through our staff forums or join our Let’s Talk events to network, share ideas, and hear about the exciting work happening across our council.
- Be Celebrated: For all your hard work, ideas and contributions through at our annual Time to Shine event, our cheers for peers’ scheme or through our EPIC Star Awards.
- Pre-Employment Checks: If offered a role, as a minimum we’ll need to verify your right to work in the UK, receive two satisfactory references, and medical check. Trafford Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check.
- Please note: We are not a licensed sponsor and will not be able to support with your work visa.
- Privacy Notice: We respect your privacy. For details on how we collect, process, and protect your data, please click here: Recruitment and employment privacy notice | Trafford Council privacy notice | Trafford Council
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