SEND Leader: Secondary Phase

Salford Council; Swinton; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Salford Council is seeking a passionate, qualified SENCO for the Secondary Phase to lead SEND improvements across clusters of schools. You will be a teacher with Senior Leadership experience in a mainstream setting, capable of improving SEND outcomes and building strong relationships with schools.

You will implement the Graduated Approach and signpost to Salford services, contributing to collaboration with SEND and children’s services across the Experts At Hand model.

Qualifications

• Qualified SENCO with Senior Leadership experience in a mainstream secondary setting.
• Proven track record of improving SEND outcomes.
• Strong resilience and communication skills to build relations with schools.

Responsibilities

• Review current settings practices, procedures and systems for SEND.
• Create action plans and provide ongoing support to SENCOs and settings.
• Promote effective SEND Leadership and bespoke support to SENCOs.
• Signpost to Salford services and support transitions of SEND learners.

Skills

Qualified SENCO

Senior Leadership experience

Strong communication

Relationship building

Education

QTS

SENCO qualification

Job description

About us

We aim to support SEND learners throughout the city, through whole school improvement support. The team is currently made up of 8 professionals and between them, cover the whole age range and school phases. We predominantly work with SENDCOs and Leadership Teams, to review their current provision and improve their structures and systems, ensuring the best outcomes for learners with SEND. As previous SENDCOs and Local Authority professionals, we are a passionate about the wellbeing and support for SENDCOs. Following the Salford Thrive model, our service offer includes a SEND advice service, a Best Practice Directory, Ofsted Preparation, SEND Leadership CPD as well as Quality Assurance and ongoing, in-setting support.

About the Role

You will work across clusters of schools and education settings to enhance their whole school strategy for SEND. You will be reviewing current setting practices, procedures and systems and identifying areas for development, creating action plans and providing ongoing support, where necessary. You will promote effective SEND Leadership and provide bespoke support to SENCOs where identified. You will ensure the setting is using the Graduated Approach effectively and be able to signpost to other Salford services where appropriate. You will support the effective transition of SEND learners and act as an impartial broker and evaluator for SEND by being an active member on SEN Panels. As part of the SEND Reforms, you will support the Experts At Hand model, working collaboratively with services.

About you

We are looking for a passionate, qualified SENCO in the Secondary Phase. You will be a teacher with Senior Leadership experience in a mainstream school. You will have a proven track record of success in supporting and improving outcomes for SEND. Your resilience and communication skills will enhance strong and positive relationships with schools and education settings. You will have the ability to be flexible and work under pressure with competing demands and priorities and have a good understanding of children's services and the pressures that settings and colleagues experience. You will have a strong sense of personal responsibility and a high level of integrity and are able to work effectively alone or as part of a team. Your passion for SEND and inclusion will be evident and you will model and demonstrate our values and behaviours.

Please be aware that this post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and that you will be required to meet the cost of the DBS check currently £49.50 (£41 for checks completed from 5th October 2026). The payment for this will be deducted from your first four months’ salary payments at a rate of £12.38 per month (£10.25 per month from 5th October 2026). If you do not commence employment for any reason but the DBS has been processed, you will be sent an invoice for the payment of £49.50 (£41 from 5th October 2026).

If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years or 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years whilst aged 18 or over, please refer to the link below for details for how to obtain your Certificates of Good Character.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants

If you have completed the GM Elevate Leadership Development Programme within the last 2 years, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application.

What we need from you if you are invited to interview:

• Passport/ID - You will be required to provide original documentation confirming your right to work in the UK. Successful candidates will also be required to provide proof of address.

• Qualifications/registrations - You will need to provide original copies of your QTS and SENCO qualification.

Want to know more about Salford?

As an authority we are dedicated to improving the lives of our residents, and as an employer we are passionate about helping individuals to thrive in their work. We are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive culture and are proud of our professional accreditations which champion this.

Find out about our city as a place to live, work & grow, and learn more about the amazing work we are doing. You’ll also find out about the wealth of benefits we have to offer you on our Salford pages!

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Supporting Documents

Role Profile