Strategic Head of SEND Assessment & Review

AWD online; Matlock; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Flexi-time scheme with additional-leaf

Generous annual leave entitlement

Employee discount scheme

Electric vehicle scheme

Cycle to Work scheme

Occupational Health and wellbeing

Physiotherapy and counselling services

Discounts on leisure membership

Free parking at most sites

Diversity, inclusion and wellbeing

Professional development and career-op

Job summary

AWD online is recruiting a Head of SEND Assessment and Review to lead statutory SEND services and drive improvements across EHC assessments, plans, reviews and dispute resolution. You will influence across education, health and social care to embed child‑centred practice and achieve positive outcomes for children and young people.

You will oversee multi‑agency decision making, support workforce development, manage budgets and promote consistent practice across locality teams, with a strong

Qualifications

• Substantial leadership and management experience within a local authority inclusion service.
• Experience of multi-agency partnership working and delivering collaborative strategies.
• Experience in recruiting, managing and developing staff and strengthening performance.
• Experience of statutory EHC assessment, planning and review, including disagreement resolution and tribunal processes.
• Experience of strategic change, operational procedure development, quality assurance and workforce development.
• Knowledge of SEND legislation, policy, Local Area SEND inspection, inclusion, preparation for adulthood and safeguarding.
• Strategic planning, budgeting, reporting, chairing and strong communication with political awareness.

Responsibilities

• Lead statutory SEND assessment, planning, review, mediation and appeals services and shape strategy.
• Ensure EHCs, EHCPs, annual reviews meet legislative standards and quality requirements.
• Drive improvement and readiness for Local Area SEND inspections, contributing to self-evaluation.
• Monitor performance and outcomes using data to inform service planning.
• Build partnerships with children, families, schools, health, social care and others.
• Oversee multi‑agency decision-making; chair the Multi-Agency Panel and lead dispute resolution.
• Manage workforce development, service budgets and high-needs funding while maintaining consistency.

Skills

Leadership & people management

Multi-agency partnership working

Staff development & performance

Statutory EHC assessment & tribunal

Strategic change & improvement

SEND legislation & Local Area SEND

Budgeting & financial awareness

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent SEND leadership expertise

Job description

AWD online is recruiting a Head of SEND Assessment and Review to lead statutory SEND services and drive improvements across EHC assessments, plans, reviews and dispute resolution. You will influence across education, health and social care to embed child‑centred practice and achieve positive outcomes for children and young people.

You will oversee multi‑agency decision making, support workforce development, manage budgets and promote consistent practice across locality teams, with a strong