Strategic Manager (SEND Improvement & Assurance)

Hampshire County Council; Winchester; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Assured EAP access

Generous annual leave and LGPS

Sponsorship not available

Job summary

Hampshire County Council seeks a Strategic Manager (SEND Improvement & Assurance) to lead a newly established function shaping SEND services across Hampshire. You will provide governance, assurance and strategic direction to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families.

You will oversee performance reviews, data insights and strategic boards, collaborating with education, health and social care partners to drive system-wide improvement and evidence-based decisions

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading strategic improvement, assurance or governance activity.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience interpreting complex data and financial information and translating findings into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Proven ability to influence, support and constructively challenge senior leaders and partners to deliver change and improvement.
• Strong understanding of the local government environment, including governance, accountability and political decision-making.
• The ability to think strategically and operate effectively in complex, evolving environments, bringing clarity and focus where there is ambiguity.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with a commitment to continuous improvement and strengthening outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families.

Responsibilities

• Lead Hampshire’s SEND Improvement & Assurance Framework and SEND Improvement & Assurance Board, providing strategic oversight, governance and accountability.
• Monitor system performance, risks, outcomes and delivery, identifying areas for improvement and coordinating assurance activity where needed.
• Analyse complex performance and financial information, turning evidence into clear intelligence and recommendations for decision-makers.
• Lead strategic reviews, deep dives and assurance activity to evaluate impact, inform investment decisions and support long-term sustainability.
• Build strong relationships across education, health and social care, influencing partners and senior leaders to drive improvement.
• Prepare and present high-quality reports, assurance findings and recommendations to senior leaders, governance boards and partnership forums, supporting effective decision-making and accountability.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Analytical skills

Influence leadership

Governance

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Job description

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Strategic Manager (SEND Improvement & Assurance)

Job Reference: HCC625309

Salary Range: £58,143 - £65,162 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 15 November 2026

Interview Date: 24 November 2026

The Role:

As Strategic Manager (SEND Improvement & Assurance), you'll play a key role in influencing the future direction of SEND services across Hampshire. Leading a newly established function at the heart of Hampshire's approach to SEND improvement, governance and accountability, you'll provide the strategic oversight, assurance and challenge needed to ensure services, programmes and investment deliver the best possible outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families.

Working across Education & Inclusion and the wider Local Area Partnership, you'll help shape a culture of performance, accountability and continuous improvement across the SEND system. Leading the SEND Improvement & Assurance Board (SENDIAB), you'll bring together performance information, financial intelligence, audit findings, stakeholder feedback and strategic reviews to build a clear picture of system effectiveness. Through robust governance, assurance and constructive challenge, you'll help senior leaders understand strengths, risks and priorities, enabling evidence-based decision-making and driving improvement across the system.

What you’ll do:

• Lead Hampshire’s SEND Improvement & Assurance Framework and SEND Improvement & Assurance Board, providing strategic oversight, governance and accountability.
• Monitor system performance, risks, outcomes and delivery, identifying areas for improvement and coordinating assurance activity where needed.
• Analyse complex performance and financial information, turning evidence into clear intelligence and recommendations for decision-makers.
• Lead strategic reviews, deep dives and assurance activity to evaluate impact, inform investment decisions and support long-term sustainability.
• Build strong relationships across education, health and social care, influencing partners and senior leaders to drive improvement.
• Prepare and present high-quality reports, assurance findings and recommendations to senior leaders, governance boards and partnership forums, supporting effective decision-making and accountability.

What we’re looking for:

• Significant experience leading strategic improvement, assurance or governance activity.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience interpreting complex data and financial information and translating findings into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Proven ability to influence, support and constructively challenge senior leaders and partners to deliver change and improvement.
• Strong understanding of the local government environment, including governance, accountability and political decision-making.
• The ability to think strategically and operate effectively in complex, evolving environments, bringing clarity and focus where there is ambiguity.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with a commitment to continuous improvement and strengthening outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families.

Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the Strategic Manager (SEND Improvement & Assurance) role, team and our values.The ‘About you’ section explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application.

• Shape a new strategic function with the opportunity to influence the future direction of SEND services across Hampshire.
• Play a key role in improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND through system-wide leadership, insight and partnership working.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here .

Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received, therefore the advert may close early.

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK.

Other job titles you may be searching for may include: SEND Improvement & Assurance Manager, SEND Performance & Assurance Manager, Strategic SEND Improvement Manager, SEND Governance & Assurance Manager, Improvement & Assurance Manager (SEND).

Travel Requirements:
You may be required to visit other locations within Hampshire, and therefore need to have the ability to travel, as necessary.

The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.