Senior SEND Commissioning & Strategy Lead

Ealing Council; Ealing; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Ealing Council is seeking an experienced Senior Strategic Commissioner to lead SEND commissioning, sufficiency planning and the effective use of resources for children and young people with SEND.

The role encompasses placements in independent schools, post-16 pathways and alternative provision, plus oversight of other SEN-related services, including short breaks. It requires strong leadership, strategic thinking and stakeholder engagement across education, health and social care.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience within local government, education, children’s services, health, social care or a similarly complex environment.
• Strong track record in strategic commissioning, SEND services or specialist education provision.
• Extensive knowledge of SEND legislation, the SEND Code of Practice and local authority statutory responsibilities.
• Experience of SEND sufficiency planning, specialist place planning and provision development.
• Expertise in commissioning and managing specialist placements, AP, NMISS and/or Post-16 pathways.
• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting and value for money analysis.
• Experience of procurement, contract management and provider performance improvement.
• Proven success in leading transformation and service improvement programmes.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation and influencing skills.
• The ability to build effective partnerships across education, health, social care and provider sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead SEND commissioning, sufficiency planning and resource use for 0-25 year olds with SEND.
• Oversee specialist placements in NMISS, AP and post-16 pathways.
• Develop sustainable local provision and reduce reliance on high-cost external placements.
• Advise senior leaders and elected members on commissioning strategies and statutory responsibilities.
• Manage procurement, contracts and provider performance to improve outcomes.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Strategic commissioning

SEND expertise

Budgeting & financial sustainability

Contract negotiation

Provider performance improvement

Analytical & negotiation skills

Job description

Ealing Council is seeking an experienced Senior Strategic Commissioner to lead SEND commissioning, sufficiency planning and the effective use of resources for children and young people with SEND.

The role encompasses placements in independent schools, post-16 pathways and alternative provision, plus oversight of other SEN-related services, including short breaks. It requires strong leadership, strategic thinking and stakeholder engagement across education, health and social care.