Service Manager - Send Operations

We Do Social Work; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

We Do Social Work is seeking a Service Manager – SEND Operations to provide strategic and operational leadership across the SEND service, ensuring statutory responsibilities are met while driving forward an ambitious SEND Reform Programme.

You will lead on quality assurance, performance and outcomes, SEND tribunals, sufficiency planning, inspection readiness and multi‑agency improvement, shaping a responsive SEND system that places children, young people and families at the heart.

Qualifications

• You will bring substantial experience of SEND leadership, a strong understanding of statutory responsibilities and the ability to build trusted and effective partnerships across education, health and social care.
• You will be confident leading complex improvement activity, using performance information to drive change and translate strategic priorities into meaningful improvements for children, young people and families.

Responsibilities

• Quality assurance and service improvement
• Performance and outcomes
• SEND tribunals
• Sufficiency planning
• Inspection readiness
• Multi-agency improvement and partnership working
• Delivery of SEND transformation and reform priorities

Job description

Service Manager – SEND Operations

Lead Improvement. Strengthen Inclusion. Transform Outcomes.

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and experienced leader to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services and making a lasting difference to the lives of children, young people and their families.

We are committed to ensuring that every child and young person with SEND can live a happy, healthy and fulfilling life, achieve their aspirations and be fully included within their community.

As Service Manager – SEND Operations, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across key areas of the SEND service, ensuring statutory responsibilities are met while driving forward an ambitious SEND Reform Programme.

Working at the heart of Children's Services, you will lead and develop activity across:

• Quality assurance and service improvement


• Performance and outcomes


• SEND tribunals


• Sufficiency planning


• Inspection readiness


• Multi-agency improvement and partnership working


• Delivery of SEND transformation and reform priorities

We are looking for a skilled, inspirational and resilient leader who is passionate about inclusion and committed to securing the very best outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

You will bring substantial experience of SEND leadership, a strong understanding of statutory responsibilities and the ability to build trusted and effective partnerships across education, health and social care. You will be confident leading complex improvement activity, using performance information to drive change and translating strategic priorities into meaningful improvements for children, young people and families.

This role provides an excellent opportunity to influence service transformation at a strategic level, lead complex improvement programmes and help shape a responsive, high-quality SEND system that places children, young people and families firmly at its centre.

About you

You will be an experienced SEND leader who:

• Has a strong track record of leading SEND services and driving sustainable improvement


• Has extensive knowledge of SEND legislation, statutory duties and national expectations


• Can provide effective strategic and operational leadership in a complex environment


• Is confident managing performance, quality assurance and improvement activity


• Can build strong relationships and influence effectively across multi-agency partnerships


• Has experience of leading change and delivering complex programmes of improvement


• Is able to inspire, motivate and develop teams to achieve ambitious outcomes


• Keeps the experiences and voices of children, young people and families at the heart of decision-making


• Thrives on challenge and brings a solution-focused, collaborative approach to leadership

The opportunity

This is a chance to take a leading role in a significant programme of SEND improvement and transformation. You will have the opportunity to influence strategy, strengthen partnerships, improve practice and help create a SEND system where children and young people can achieve, thrive and reach their full potential.

If you are an experienced and inspirational leader with the vision, expertise and determination to drive meaningful improvement, we would love to hear from you.