Team Leader - School Age Stat SEND

Hertfordshire; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Hertfordshire County Council in Apsley, Hemel Hempstead, is seeking an experienced SEND EHC Team Lead on a 12-month maternity cover basis. The role leads EHC Coordinators and Review Officers to ensure high-quality statutory SEND services for children and young people with EHC Plans.

You will oversee plan reviews, support staff development, manage casework in a defined locality, and collaborate with schools and partner agencies to improve outcomes.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of SEND legislation including the Children and Families Act 2014.
• Experience supervising and mentoring colleagues.
• Strong organisational and decision-making skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of EHC Coordinators and Review Officers.
• Ensure timely EHC plan reviews and statutory processes.
• Manage SEND casework within a locality.
• Build relationships with schools, families and partners.
• Coach and develop staff through supervision.
• Support service improvement and policy development.
• Maintain accurate records and performance data.
• Represent the council at SEND Tribunals when needed.
• Collaborate across SEND teams for consistent practice.

Skills

Leadership

SEND expertise

Stakeholder management

Coaching

Project management

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Apsley

Job Title: SEND EHC Team Lead
Location: Apsley, Hemel Hempstead
Starting salary: £44,253 per annum
Contract: 1-year fixed term/secondment maternity cover
Hours:37 hours per week

Are you an experienced SEND professional looking for your next leadership opportunity?

We're looking for a SEND EHC Team Lead to join our School Age Statutory SEND Service on a 12-month maternity cover basis. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a team responsible for delivering high-quality statutory SEND services for children and young people with Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans.

You’ll provide leadership, guidance and support to EHC Coordinators and Review Officers, ensuring statutory duties are delivered effectively and children and families receive a high-quality service. Working closely with schools, families and partner agencies, you’ll play a key role in driving excellent outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

This role combines people leadership, operational oversight and partnership working. You’ll support your team to manage complex casework, maintain statutory compliance and contribute to the ongoing improvement of SEND services across Hertfordshire.

About the role

• Leading and supporting a team of EHC Coordinators and Review Officers.
• Overseeing the quality and timeliness of EHC plan reviews and statutory processes.
• Managing SEND casework within a defined locality area.
• Building strong relationships with schools, families and partner agencies.
• Supporting staff development through supervision, coaching and performance management.
• Contributing to service improvement, quality assurance and policy development.
• Maintaining accurate records and performance information.
• Representing the local authority at SEND Tribunals where required.
• Collaborating with colleagues across the wider SEND management team to drive consistent practice and continuous improvement.

About you

You’ll bring significant experience of working within SEND services and a strong understanding of the statutory framework that underpins Education, Health and Care Plans.

We're looking for someone who will lead a team, manage competing priorities and build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

You’ll need:

• Extensive knowledge of SEND legislation, including the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Regulations and SEND Code of Practice.
• Experience of supporting, supervising, coaching or mentoring colleagues, with the ability to motivate and develop others.
• Strong organisational and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Experience of working collaboratively across education, health and social care services.

Most importantly, you’ll be passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND and motivated to support your team to deliver the highest standards of service.

Interview process:

First interview: Thursday 12 November 2026 – online
Second interview: Thursday 19 November 2026 – in person at Apsley

Secondment

This role is open to secondments for eligible employees who work for HCC or a Local Authority. If you wish to apply on a secondment basis, you must have your line manager’s approval before submitting your application. You will be asked to confirm this within your application form. If you are not eligible for a secondment (e.g., you are currently on a fixed‑term contract that would end before this position ends) or you indicate that your manager cannot support a secondment, your application will be considered on a fixed‑term contract basis instead.

Additional information

We are changing

Hertfordshire County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), creating a unique opportunity to help shape the future of local services. 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.

Safeguarding

This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Driving required

You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

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.