Specialist Outreach Manager

Hertfordshire; Farnham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Disability Confident employer

Job summary

Hertfordshire County Council is seeking a Specialist Outreach Manager to lead and develop a specialist outreach service for children with additional needs within the SEND Provision Team at Farnham House, Stevenage. The role combines strategic leadership with day-to-day oversight to ensure high‑quality, consistent support for schools and partner organisations.

The post focuses on service improvements, workforce development, and improved outcomes for children and young people, within a 2-year

Qualifications

• Experience in a leadership role within SEND, inclusion, specialist support or outreach services.
• Strong understanding of SEND legislation, guidance and best practice.
• Experience leading and developing services in complex organisations.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders.
• A recognised professional qualification in teaching, SEND, therapy, leadership or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development, planning and delivery of the specialist outreach service.
• Establish and embed service models, standards and pathways for equitable access and consistent practice.
• Act as the professional and technical lead, providing expert advice on complex cases.
• Lead multi‑agency partnerships and represent the service at strategic forums.
• Oversee quality assurance and monitor performance against KPIs and standards.
• Hold accountability for resources, financial planning and value-for-money decisions.

Skills

Leadership

SEND expertise

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Education

Professional qualification in teaching, SEND, therapy, leadership or equivalent

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Farnham House

Job Title: Specialist Outreach Manager
Starting Salary:£49,817 per annum
Hours:37
Location:Farnham House, Stevenage
Contract Type: Fixed Term or Secondment Opportunity for 2 years
Directorate:Childrens Services

About the team

SEND Provision Team

We lead the planning, development, and implementation of provision strategies and additional specialist places to support children and young people with the most significant special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across the county. We oversee children with an EHCP who attend independent schools and independent special schools and support the ongoing educational oversight and monitoring of independent providers. We help resolve disputes relating to SEND provision and EHC plans through mediation and appeals through the First-Tier Tribunal.

About the role

This is a vital leadership role within our Experts at Hand model, responsible for leading and developing a specialist outreach service that supports children and young people with additional needs.

You will provide both strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight, ensuring schools, educational settings and partner organisations receive high-quality, consistent and effective support. The role focuses on driving service improvements, developing a skilled and effective workforce, and helping to achieve better outcomes for children and young people.

As part of Pillar 1 of the SEND Provision Plan, the Specialist Outreach Service plays an important role in helping the Local Authority meet its statutory responsibilities and ensure that children and young people receive the support they need to thrive.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the strategic development, planning and delivery of the specialist outreach service.
• Establish and embed clear service models, standards and pathways to ensure equitable access and consistent practice.
• Act as the recognised professional and technical lead, providing expert advice and guidance on complex cases.
• Lead multi‑agency partnerships and represent the service at strategic forums and partnership boards.
• Oversee quality assurance, monitoring performance against agreed outcomes, key performance indicators and quality standards, seeking continuous improvement and taking corrective action as required.
• Hold accountability for service resources, financial planning, budget monitoring and value‑for‑money decisions.

About you

• Experience working in a leadership role within SEND, inclusion, specialist support or outreach services.
• Strong understanding of SEND legislation, statutory guidance and best practice, with the ability to apply this knowledge to improve services and outcomes for children and young people.
• Experience of leading and developing services, managing change, and working effectively within a complex organisation or partnership environment.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to analyse information, influence others and work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• A recognised professional qualification in teaching, SEND, therapy, leadership or equivalent.

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

This job role is Level 12. Please locate the job profile here:

Additional information

We are changing
Hertfordshire County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). If you are employed by Hertfordshire County on 1 April 2028, it is expected that most roles will transfer to the newly‑created unitary councils on existing terms and conditions under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment) principles.

LGR is one of the biggest changes we will face in a generation. It will reshape how we work and how services are organised and gives us a real opportunity to build something better. To find out more, visit https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/

Disability Confident

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

English Fluency

The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.