SEND Improvement Officer

Barnsley Council; Barnsley; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnsley Council is seeking a SEND Improvement Officer/Specialist SEND Teacher to join the Education Inclusion Service in Barnsley. The role focuses on inclusion across schools, supporting children and young people with SEND and implementing SEND Reforms.

This 3-year fixed-term post involves consultation, advice, interventions and strategies to remove barriers to inclusion, with emphasis on whole-school improvement and close collaboration with schools, settings, children, and families.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates teaching qualifications and SEN expertise.
• Shows up-to-date knowledge of SEND legislation and guidance.
• Experience delivering training and professional development for schools.

Responsibilities

• Provide consultation, advice, interventions and strategies to remove barriers to inclusion.
• Focus on whole-school improvement and reviewing SEND provision.
• Collaborate with schools, settings, children, young people and parents/carers.
• Support implementation of SEND Reforms and the Expert at Hand model.

Skills

Teaching

SENCO qualification

SEND legislation knowledge

Training delivery

Education

SENCO qualification

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Job description

Position reference: 50147326

Directorate: Children’s Services | Service: SEND & Inclusion

• Salary: £ 51,694 - £54,661 + 3 SPA
• Working Arrangements: Agile Working
• Hours per week: 37
• Contract type: Fixed Term for 3 years
• Closing date: 16/10/2026 at 23:59
• The successful candidate will be required to speak English to an appropriate standard.
• This post requires an Enhanced DBS Check.
• If you are currently living overseas or have lived overseas in the last five years please be aware, if you are the preferred candidate for the post, you will be required to apply for an overseas criminal records check from the country/countries you have resided in. If you experience difficulty in obtaining an overseas criminal record check please email [e-mail].
• When applying, please ensure you are prepared to start work with all the necessary legal documents, such as a valid visa, relevant to the type of work you will be undertaking. Please be aware that our organisation does not possess a Home Office licence and, as a result, is unable to provide sponsorship for anyone seeking a visa as a skilled or temporary migrant worker.
• Pensions Regulations have provisions to reduce pension payments in certain circumstances of those who return to work within local government service. If you are in receipt of a pension upon commencing employment with the authority, this may affect your pension entitlements and you should therefore seek advice from the relevant Pensions Authority.

At Barnsley Council you can start a career that makes a real difference to people’s lives, helping our council and residents to be the best they can be.

We’re an award-winning council and one of the biggest employers in the borough, supporting around 243,000 people. We put people at the heart of everything we do, and that includes our employees. As part of the team, we offer lots of benefits and rewards to support you to thrive and grow, like flexible working, employee discounts, support for your health and wellbeing, and opportunities for training and development to grow your career and develop your skills.

There’s so much happening in our thriving borough, and now’s the perfect time to join our excellent SEND & Inclusion team as we work to make Barnsley the place of possibilities.

• We’re an award-winning team and one of the biggest employers in the borough supporting around 243,000 people.
• Working at Barnsley Council means being part of a team that makes a real difference to people’s lives, where you can develop the skills you need to make change happen.
• If you join the team you’ll receive great pay alongside an excellent pension scheme. With flexible working we’ll also support your work/life balance, helping you to adjust your hours and take time off when you need it.
• We’ll help you to develop your career and grow your skills with opportunities for training and development.
• There’s so much happening in our thriving borough and your talent and skills will help us make Barnsley the place of possibilities.
• Key to our success is working with our residents, partners, businesses and organisations and building these partnerships to bring about change in Barnsley.

About The Post

An exciting opportunity has arisen within Barnsley Council. We are seeking to appoint a SEND Improvement Officer/Specialist SEND Teacher to work within our highly valued and well-established Education Inclusion Service to support the borough-wide inclusion of children and young people who have SEND. We would be particularly interested in hearing from applicants with expertise in all areas of SEND and implementation of the requirements of the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice. Alongside other teams and professionals you will support the work of the Barnsley Schools Alliance in partnership with schools and settings.

This 3 year fixed term position will involve providing consultation, advice, interventions, and strategies to remove barriers to inclusion and promote successful outcomes for individual and groups of children and young people within educational settings. There will be a key focus on whole school improvement and reviewing provision in relation to SEND. The post will involve working closely with all our schools and settings, children, young people and parents/carers and will be a key function within Barnsley ’ s Expert at Hand model and the implementation of the SEND Reforms

Here at Barnsley, we live and work by four important values: honesty, teamwork, excellent services, and taking pride in what we do. Relational approaches are fundamental to how we work, and we support well-being through structured and informal peer support alongside professional development opportunities.

We are looking to recruit enthusiastic, creative colleagues to join a dedicated and innovative team of professionals to play a key role in shaping future approaches to inclusion at a local authority level. We offer excellent town centre office space, remote working, flexible working and promote a good work life balance. We offer a full induction from a welcoming and supportive team.

You Will Have

• A relevant teaching and SENCO qualification.
• Up to date expertise and knowledge of SEND legislation, statutory guidance and how this can be applied in education settings to ensure whole school improvement.
• Considerable experience of working in schools with children and young people who have SEND, including knowledge of strategies, approaches and resources to support inclusion.
• Experience of planning and delivering training.

Why work for us?

We’re committed to creating a workplace where differences are valued and everyone truly feels able to be themselves. If you have any support needs during the recruitment process, please let us know.

CV's are not accepted for this role.

At Barnsley Council, we believe in second chances and value diversity. Our recruitment process is inclusive, and we welcome applicants with past convictions. We're committed to fairness and do not discriminate. Join us in building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. #InclusiveHiring #SecondChances