SEND Service Manager

Westfield Secondary School; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Westfield Secondary School is seeking an experienced Service Manager to provide strategic leadership for the 0-5 SEND Service in Sheffield. You will report to the Assistant Director and lead a team, manage performance and budgets, shape policy and work with families, early years settings and partners to deliver inclusive, high-quality support.

You will bring senior management experience in children and families services, strong EYFS knowledge, SEND legislation and practice, and a proven ability

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent required; management training or proven experience advisable.
• Experience in children and families services.
• Knowledge of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
• Knowledge of SEND legislation and practice.
• Proven track record in leading people, change, partnerships and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead the 0-5 SEND service and drive service development.
• Manage people, performance, budgets and resources.
• Use data and QA to improve outcomes.
• Build strong partnerships and advise senior leaders and elected members.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Team management

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Data-driven improvement

Communication & influencing

Education

Degree or equivalent

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Service Manager to provide strategic leadership for the 0-5 SEND Service. Reporting to the Assistant Director, you will lead the team, manage performance and budgets, shape policy and work with families, early years settings and partners to deliver inclusive, high-quality support. What you will do Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the 0-5 SEND team and service development.
• Managing people, performance, budgets and resources.
• Using data and quality assurance to improve outcomes.
• Building strong partnerships and advising senior leaders and elected members.

You will be a confident senior manager with experience in children and families services, strong knowledge of Early Years Foundation Stage, SEND legislation and practice, and a track record of leading people, change, partnerships and budgets. You will need excellent judgement, communication and influencing skills, plus a degree or equivalent and relevant management training or experience.

Further information Location: Sheffield, with flexible working in line with service requirements Interview date: 07.09.26

Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share. If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade. Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. Find out more on our We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.