SEND Specialist Officer (Moving & Handling)

Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council; Halifax; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking a Specialist Officer (Moving & Handling) to work within the Specialist Inclusion Team across Calderdale, delivering expert assessments, guidance and training to schools and settings.

You will build staff capability to embed safe moving and handling practices, contribute to SEND processes and promote inclusive education for children with cognition and learning needs.

Qualifications

• Holds a Level 3+ qualification in SEND or related field.
• Experience supporting children and young people with SEND, cognition and learning.
• Understands effective SEND interventions and strategies.
• Experience working in educational settings.
• Able to build positive relationships with children, families, schools and professionals.
• Committed to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Responsibilities

• Undertake specialist moving and handling assessments for children and young people with SEND.
• Deliver specialist advice, guidance and support to staff on moving and handling plans.
• Develop and deliver high-quality Moving and Handling training for educational settings.
• Maintain pupil risk assessments and the borough sling database.
• Work with schools and partners to promote inclusive practice and safe moving and handling.

Job description

Post Ref: CC051

Please note: Internal, at risk or redeployee applicants will be seen in the first instance.

Help us build inclusive education across Calderdale.

Calderdale is ambitious for all children and young people. We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed Specialist Officer (Moving & Handling) to join our Specialist Inclusion Team and help ensure that children and young people with SEND can access the right support, at the right time, in the right way.

This is an exciting opportunity to work directly with children, families, schools and educational settings across Calderdale to promote inclusive practice and improve outcomes for children and young people with cognition and learning needs.

As a Specialist Officer (Moving & Handling) within Calderdale's Specialist Inclusion Team, you will play a key role in helping children and young people with SEND access education safely, confidently and successfully.

Working collaboratively with schools, colleges, families and professionals, you will provide specialist assessment, advice, training and practical support to ensure safe moving and handling practices are embedded across educational settings.

You will use your expertise to build the confidence and capability of staff, enabling them to effectively support children and young people whose needs require moving and handling assessments, equipment and specialist interventions.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake specialist moving and handling assessments for children and young people with SEND, identifying appropriate support, equipment and provision to promote safety, inclusion and positive outcomes.
• Work in partnership with schools, colleges and educational settings across Calderdale to build capacity and strengthen inclusive practice.
• Deliver specialist advice, guidance and support to staff, ensuring they feel confident in implementing moving and handling plans and risk assessments.
• Develop and deliver high-quality training programmes, including the Council's Moving and Handling training offer for educational settings.
• Maintain and quality assure pupil risk assessments, moving and handling records and the borough-wide sling database.
• Act as a key point of contact for schools and professionals seeking advice on moving and handling matters.
• Contribute to Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments, reviews and wider SEND processes in line with statutory responsibilities.
• Work collaboratively with children, young people, families and multi-agency partners to achieve the best possible outcomes.
• Promote a strong culture of health, safety and risk awareness, acting as a role model for good practice across settings.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of SEND services, strategy and inclusive practice across Calderdale.
• Maintain accurate records and data to support service delivery, quality assurance and reporting requirements.
• Keep your professional knowledge and specialist qualifications up to date, including annual Key Trainer and Risk Assessor updates.

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Holds a relevant qualification at Level 3 or above in SEND or a related field.
• Has experience supporting children and young people with SEND, particularly cognition and learning needs.
• Understands effective SEND interventions, approaches and support strategies.
• Has experience working in educational settings.
• Can build positive relationships with children, families, schools and professionals.
• Is committed to improving outcomes and opportunities for children and young people with SEND.

What we offer

In Calderdale, you'll be part of a supportive and ambitious team that is committed to inclusion and ensuring all children and young people have the opportunity to thrive.

We offer flexible hybrid working, ongoing professional development and the opportunity to make a real difference across our schools and communities.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. Applicants to posts that are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act will require a DBS from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed.

Closing Date: Thursday 1st October 2026

Interview Date: Monday 12th October 2026

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year (unless exceptions apply) and meet the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

We may utilise digital interview methods.

As part of our Vision (https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision ) we aim to be a talented, resilient and inclusive community. We welcome applications from all and offer a variety of flexible working / job share opportunities.

All applications are anonymised before being seen by the selection panel.

As part of our fair recruitment process, we ask that all applications are written by the candidate and that Artificial Intelligence (AI) use is limited, unless assistance is required as a reasonable adjustment for a disability. Content should be truthful, accurate, evidence based and not embellished - see guidance.

For support on your application please read our Application Booklet or visit our Employment Hub.