SEND Lead (Speech and Language)

South Devon College; Paignton; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Birthday leave

5-year service holiday increase

Christmas closure

Training and higher education funding

Teachers Pension Scheme employer cont.

On-site Mama Bears nursery

Employee Assistance Programme

Blue Light Card"

Discounted travel schemes

Job summary

South Devon College is seeking an experienced SEND Speech, Language and Communication Lead to develop and lead inclusive support for students with speech, language and communication needs. You will coordinate assessments, contribute to high-quality plans and work with external agencies to ensure positive outcomes and progression toward adulthood and independence.

The role requires strong SEND knowledge, ability to chair meetings, train staff, and manage records across systems.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with young people and/or adults with speech, language and communication needs.
• Experience of assessing needs and contributing to effective support planning.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multi-agency teams and external professionals.
• Confidence in chairing meetings, writing reports and delivering training.
• Strong understanding of SEND within educational settings and statutory duties.
• Ability to maintain accurate, high-quality electronic records across multiple systems.
• A relevant Level 3 qualification or above.
• GCSE English and maths at grade 4+ or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate assessments of students’ individual support needs and contribute to high-quality support plans.
• Support transition activities for prospective students, including tasters and liaison with feeder schools and other stakeholders.
• Develop innovative educational resources and approaches, including the use of assistive technology.
• Provide guidance and training to staff and students, working closely with external professionals and agencies.
• Contribute to progress reviews, Annual Reviews, statutory SEND processes and QA activities.
• Maintain accurate records, including Individual Support Plans and Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans.
• Act as a lead contact for SEND enquiries and represent the SEND team at events.

Skills

Experience with SLD needs

Needs assessment

Multi-agency collaboration

Chairing meetings and reports

SEND knowledge

Electronic records management

Education

Level 3 qualification or above

GCSE English and Maths grade 4+

Job description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Job title SEND Lead (Speech and Language) Job reference REQ003220 Date posted 07/07/2026 Application closing date 27/09/2026 Location Paignton Salary £26,045 to £28,845 per annum Package Plus Excellent Benefits Contractual hours 37 Basis Full Time Job category/type Support Attachments Blank Job description Salary: £26,045 to £28,845 per annum, plus excellent benefits. Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time. 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. Location: Paignton, Devon.

South Devon College is seeking an experienced and proactive SEND Speech, Language and Communication Lead to develop and lead inclusive support for students with speech, language and communication needs. Working as part of our SEND team, you will help ensure students receive effective, individualised support that enables them to achieve positive outcomes and progress towards adulthood, employment and supported or independent living.

About the role

You will:

• Coordinate assessments of students’ individual support needs and contribute to high-quality support plans and positive behaviour strategies.
• Support transition activities for prospective students, including tasters and liaison with feeder schools and other stakeholders.
• Develop innovative educational resources and approaches, including the use of assistive technology.
• Provide guidance and training to staff and students, working closely with external professionals and agencies.
• Contribute to progress reviews, Annual Reviews, statutory SEND processes and quality assurance activities.
• Maintain accurate records, including Individual Support Plans, Behaviour Plans, Medical Plans and Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans.
• Act as a lead contact for support enquiries and represent the SEND team at internal and external events.

About you

You will be innovative, reliable and solution-focused, with the resilience and adaptability to work effectively in a dynamic SEND environment. You will also be a positive professional role model who works inclusively and collaboratively with students, colleagues, parents, carers and external agencies.

You will have:

• Experience of working with young people and/or adults with speech, language and communication needs.
• Experience of assessing needs and contributing to effective support planning.
• The ability to work collaboratively with multi-agency teams and external professionals.
• Confidence in chairing meetings, writing reports and delivering training.
• A strong understanding of SEND within educational settings and relevant statutory duties.
• The ability to maintain accurate, high-quality electronic records across multiple systems.
• A relevant Level 3 qualification or above.
• GCSE English and maths at grade 4 or above, or an equivalent qualification.

At South Devon College we are passionate that excellent teaching and learning can transform lives. We seek to achieve at the highest levels and welcome staff who share our drive for success.

In return, you can expect access to an exciting range of training, apprenticeship and opportunities for degree level study alongside your work to keep you at the top of your game, as well as generous holiday allowance of 27 days pro rata and a strong emphasis on work-life balance.

The staff at South Devon College are truly inspirational and this is a reflection on the whole College culture of continuous improvement and support for all of our students and communities.

We aim to provide our learners with excellent teaching and learning. Our staff are highly adept at working with and developing skills and knowledge in learners from different backgrounds. Our staff have consistently high expectations of all students and generate high levels of enthusiasm for participation in, and commitment to learning.

Our staff are integral to maintaining our passion and high-performance levels, and we reward our staff for this. Our benefits are designed to encourage a healthy work-life balance, and include:

• 27 daysannual leave including the option to purchase additional holiday days;
• 1 additional day’s holiday for your birthday (does not have to be used on your birthday);
• 1 additional day’s holiday for every 5 years served;
• Christmas Closure of up to 2 weeks in addition to annual leave entitlement;
• Access to a wealth of training, apprenticeships and funded higher education opportunities as well as dedicated training days;
• Teacher’s Pension Scheme Employer contributions of 28.68%;
• Subsidised fitness suite facility, onsite hair and beauty salon, access to a wide range of catering facilities, outdoor gym and free eyesight tests;
• Major supermarket and high street employee discount schemes;
• Life Assurance (if member of pension scheme);
• On Site Nursery (Mama Bears);
• Employee Assistance Programmes;
• Access to Blue Light Card membership;
• Discounted travel schemes.

Closing Date: Midnight, Sunday 27 th September 2026

Interview Date:TBC

Please note that you will be required to be in possession of an Enhanced DBS Certificate or be willing to undertake an Enhanced DBS check as a condition of employment at the College.

This College is committed to Safeguarding/Prevent and promoting the welfare of students, including children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The College is committed to applying its Single Equality Scheme at all stages of recruitment and selection. Shortlisting, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, transgender status, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, colour, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion/belief, age, pregnancy or maternity leave, or union membership.

Reasonable attempts will be made to accommodate the particular needs of any candidate who has notified us of a disability. This may include changing the timing or location of any interview to enable the candidate to attend, providing information in different formats or larger type, etc.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare any cautions, convictions, reprimands and final warnings that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).