Service Manager – Experts at Hand

Kirklees Metropolitan Council; Wigan; On-site; GBP 69,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Rewards & benefits

Job summary

Wigan Council is seeking an inspirational leader to head the Experts at Hand model, bringing together Educational Psychologists, Specialist Teachers, Therapists and SEND professionals to improve access to expert support for children and families.

You will provide strategic leadership for a growing multidisciplinary team, champion early intervention and integrated working across education, health and care, with a focus on reducing inequalities and delivering lasting impact.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a multi-disciplinary SEND team.
• Strong strategic leadership and partnership working across education, health and care.
• Commitment to reducing inequalities and improving outcomes for children and families.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of the Experts at Hand model.
• Provide strategic leadership for a growing team of educational psychologists, teachers and therapists.
• Collaborate across services to ensure integrated, evidence-informed practice.
• Shape services to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

People management

Job description

We’re on a journey to build a workforce reflective of our Borough.

We are committed to fostering diverse teams where everybody can bring their authentic selves to work and feel that they belong. If you want to work for a Council where everybody is encouraged to meet their full potential and make a difference in our neighbourhoods, we would love to hear from you!

Join Wigan’s SEND Transformation Journey

Where Expertise Changes Lives and Innovation Drives Inclusion

At Wigan, we’re not simply recruiting professionals – we’re building a pioneering, multi-disciplinary team that is transforming how children, young people, families and schools access specialist support.

You will play a central part in delivering our boroughwide Progress with Unity movement to:

• Create fair opportunities for all children and families by tackling inequalities in health, education, finance and environment.
• Support all towns and neighbourhoods to flourish, working with residents, schools, partners and businesses as equal placeshaping partners.

We believe that the best outcomes happen when expertise is available at the right time, in the right place, from the right professional.

That’s why we’ve created our Experts at Hand model.

Working together, we can ensure that every child and young person has access to the expert support they need, when they need it most.

This is a unique opportunity to lead the development and delivery of Wigan’s innovative Experts at Hand model, bringing together Educational Psychologists, Specialist Teachers, Therapists and SEND professionals to ensure that expert support is available when and where it is needed most.

As Service Manager, you will provide strategic leadership for a growing multi-disciplinary team, driving a culture of collaboration, inclusion and excellence. You will play a key role in shaping services that improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND, build capacity within schools and settings, and support Wigan’s wider ambitions through Progress with Unity.

Working across education, health and care, you will champion early intervention, integrated working and evidence-informed practice, ensuring that expertise is accessible, responsive and impactful. This is an exciting opportunity for an inspirational leader who is passionate about reducing inequalities, developing innovative services and creating lasting change for children, families and communities.

If you are ambitious, forward-thinking and ready to lead transformational practice, Wigan offers the chance to make a real difference in a borough committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.

You can read more about Wigan and Experts at Hand in our candidate brochure or why not come along to our virtual Experts at Hand Q&A Live session on 23rd September at 3pm

Join a team where specialist knowledge is valued, innovation is encouraged and every day brings an opportunity to make a difference.

Here at Wigan, we are proud to support flexible working patterns, when the service can accommodate this. We also take a blended approach to where we work, depending on the work we do. This may include working from home, the office, or the community. We like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of exclusive rewards and benefits to find out more about working for #TeamWigan.

To be appointed to this role you must be able to prove your right to work in the UK, and you must maintain a valid (active) right to work. Please note, at present we are not a licensed sponsor. Please visit the link below to check you qualify to apply. Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Prove your right to work to an employer

Wigan Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. As part of this commitment, Wigan Council operates robust Safer Recruitment procedures

For further information, please contact Kellie Williams, Head of SEND – [e-mail]

Interview date: To Be Confirmed

This position is subject to Enhanced Disclosure Procedures plus child barred list check

The employer is committed to safeguarding

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

Company: Wigan Council

Salary: £68,885- £70,904

Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester

Sector: Corporate Services

Sector: Corporate Management Team

Sector: Health and Social Care

Job Role: Manager