SEND Resources and Sufficiency Lead

Middlesbrough Council; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is seeking an experienced manager to lead the SEND services for children aged 0-25. The role involves ensuring quality provision, collaborating with various stakeholders, and managing financial aspects. Candidates should have knowledge of SEND legislation and experience in project management. The position offers a range of benefits, including generous leave and excellent career progression opportunities. If you are passionate about making a difference for children with special educational needs, apply now.

Benefits

Generous leave entitlement with an option to purchase additional days

Excellent pension plus top-up options

Staff networks run by our staff

Flexible working opportunities

Electric car lease scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Employee benefits portal

Staff lottery

Travel and car parking schemes

Ongoing training and development opportunities

Fantastic career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in leading and managing SEND services for the 0-25 age range.
• Knowledge of financial management and commissioning processes.
• Strong skills in stakeholder engagement and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead placements, resources, and provision across the 0-25 age range.
• Collaborate with a diverse range of partners.
• Ensure quality and accessibility of local education provision.
• Manage demand forecasting and financial oversight.
• Develop local authority SEND services effectively.

Skills

Knowledge of relevant legislation and high needs funding guidance

Strategic understanding of local and national SEND picture

Experience in financial administration

Project management

Forecasting

Strategy development

Ability to lead stakeholders and partners

Job description

The Inclusion and Specialist Support Service requires an experienced manager to lead the work around placements, resources and provision across the 0-25 age range in the local area. This includes provision for children with an Education Health and Care Plans and those who have been excluded from school or are at risk of exclusion. The post holder will work closely with a range of partners including schools, parents/carers, social care colleagues, health services, youth offending and educational psychology to ensure that children’s needs are met effectively within local education provision and that there is sufficient good-quality provision to meet demand within the town. The role will involve demand management and forecasting, financial management, commissioning and contract negotiation along with the ongoing development and improvement of local authority SEND services. We are looking for individuals with knowledge of relevant legislation and high needs funding guidance, along with a strategic understanding of the local and national picture for SEND. Experience in areas such as financial administration, project management, forecasting and strategy development are essential, along with the ability to successfully lead a range of stakeholders and partners. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a service that is deeply committed to inclusive practice, early intervention, and systemic change.

In October 2023, a SEND Local Area Inspection described Middlesbrough as a place where children and young people with SEND and their families are valued, visible and included. In Middlesbrough, local area partners work to a shared vision that 'Middlesbrough children matter'. If you would like to be part of a team contributing towards positive outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs, then we would love to hear from you!

Responsibilities

• Lead placements, resources and provision across the 0-25 age range.
• Collaborate with schools, parents/carers, social care colleagues, health services, youth offending and educational psychology.
• Ensure children’s needs are met effectively within local education provision and sufficient good-quality provision to meet demand.
• Engage in demand management and forecasting.
• Handle financial management, commissioning and contract negotiation.
• Develop and improve local authority SEND services.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of relevant legislation and high needs funding guidance.
• Strategic understanding of local and national SEND picture.
• Experience in financial administration, project management, forecasting and strategy development.
• Ability to lead stakeholders and partners.

Benefits

• Generous leave entitlement with an option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.
• Excellent pension plus top-up options.
• Staff networks run by our staff for our staff.
• Flexible working (dependent on job role).
• Electric car lease scheme.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Employee benefits portal including Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programme.
• Staff lottery.
• Travel and car parking schemes.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Fantastic career progression opportunities and lots more!

If you would like to talk through this opportunity further, please contact Emma Cowley.

The above post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.