SENCO – Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS)

Leicestershire County Council; Glenfield; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Leicestershire County Council is seeking an experienced SENCO to join the SENA Service, with a focus on Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) provision and developing educational pathways for vulnerable children and young people.

The role prioritises quality assurance of EOTAS and Alternative Provision, supports transitions into Post-16 education, and ensures EHCP outcomes are met through inclusive, cross-agency collaboration.

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status and the National Award for SEN Coordination (or equivalent SENCO qualification).
• Significant experience supporting children and young people with SEND.
• Strong knowledge of SEND legislation, inclusive practice and educational provision.
• Experience of working collaboratively across services and with external partners.
• Excellent assessment, planning and quality assurance skills.
• The ability to influence, challenge and support professionals to improve outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the development of EOTAS provision across Leicestershire.
• Work with SENA colleagues, schools, alternative providers and colleges to develop educational pathways for children and young people with SEND.
• Support learners through key transition points, including preparation for adulthood and transitions into Post-16 education and training.
• Quality assure Alternative Provision and EOTAS packages to ensure high-quality educational experiences.
• Monitor and review educational packages for learners without a school placement or education outside of a school setting.
• Champion inclusive practice and ensure provision meets SEND needs and EHCP outcomes.
• Collaborate with families, schools and professionals to improve outcomes and progression opportunities.
• Contribute to innovative service development and continuous improvement of EOTAS pathways and SENA practice.

Skills

SEND knowledge

Collaboration

Assessment & QA

Influence & advocacy

Child safeguarding

Commitment to inclusion

Education

Qualified Teacher Status + National Award for SEN Coordination (or equivalent)

Job description

Organisation: Leicestershire County Council

Work Location: County Hall, Glenfield, LE3 8RA

Salary: Leadership Scale 7-11

Working Hours:Full time

Contract Type: Fixed term for 12 months

Closing Date: 5th October 2026

Interview Date(s): TBC

Are you an experienced SENCO who wants to shape and influence innovative educational provision for children and young people with SEND?

We have an exciting opportunity for a passionate, creative and solution-focused SENCO to join the Special Educational Needs Assessment (SENA) Service, with a particular focus on Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) provision, and play a key role in developing educational pathways for some of Leicestershire's most vulnerable children and young people.

About the Role

This newly established 12-month post offers the chance to make a genuine difference at a time of growth and transformation. Working across the SENA Service, you will support the development and quality assurance of EOTAS and alternative provision arrangements for children and young people who require education outside of a traditional school setting. Whilst the role will include supporting transitions into Post-16 education and training, its primary focus is on ensuring that children and young people across all phases receive high-quality, effective educational packages that meet their needs, deliver EHCP provision and enable them to achieve positive outcomes.

What you'll do

As SENCO for EOTAS, you will:

• Lead and support the development of EOTAS provision across Leicestershire.
• Work alongside SENA colleagues, schools, alternative providers, colleges and other professionals to develop effective educational pathways for children and young people with SEND.
• Support learners through key transition points, including preparation for adulthood and transitions into Post-16 education and training.
• Quality assure Alternative Provision and EOTAS packages to ensure children and young people receive high-quality educational experiences.
• Monitor and review educational packages for learners who are currently without a school placement or require education outside of a school setting.
• Champion inclusive practice and ensure provision meets the needs of learners with SEND and aligns with EHCP outcomes.
• Collaborate with families, schools, colleges and professionals to improve outcomes, participation and progression opportunities.
• Contribute to innovative service development and the continuous improvement of EOTAS pathways and wider SENA practice.

An enhanced with barred list DBS check is required for this post.

For information on our approach to the recruitment of ex-offenders, please see our policy statement.

About You

To apply for this post, you must:

• Qualified Teacher Status and the National Award for SEN Coordination (or equivalent SENCO qualification).
• Significant experience supporting children and young people with SEND.
• Strong knowledge of SEND legislation, inclusive practice and educational provision.
• Experience of working collaboratively across services and with external partners.
• Excellent assessment, planning and quality assurance skills.
• The ability to influence, challenge and support professionals to improve outcomes.
• A commitment to ensuring every child and young person receives the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

Why join us?

This is a unique opportunity to help shape an evolving area of provision and make a lasting impact on the lives of children and young people across Leicestershire. You'll be part of a committed and ambitious SENA leadership team dedicated to ensuring children and young people receive high-quality education and support, regardless of their circumstances or the setting in which their education is delivered.
If you are passionate about inclusion, enjoy building partnerships, and want to be at the forefront of developing innovative SEND and EOTAS provision, we'd love to hear from you.

In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our valuesandto delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents.

Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability.We are a Disability Confident Employer.

Interested in Flexible Working?

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.

For more information or an informal discussion,please contact:

Cathryn Allison, Service Manager

Telephone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]