Strategic Lead (SEND)

Derbyshire County Council is seeking a dynamic and experienced Strategic Lead for our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Service (SEND). This pivotal role involves providing strategic leadership and operational management for county-wide education, health, and care needs assessments, reviews, mediation, and appeals. You will ensure the highest quality of assessment services for children and young people, their parents and carers, schools, settings, and providers, aiming for the best possible outcomes for those supported.

Key Responsibilities:

In this role, you will shape the future development of statutory Education, Health, and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs), reviews, mediation, and appeals. You will devise and deliver an annual service plan, monitor progress and performance, and ensure high-quality statutory assessment, planning, commissioning, and support services.

Providing strategic oversight for the county's response to children and young people requiring formal needs assessment and EHC plans is crucial. You will represent the department at relevant meetings, contribute to staff development sessions, manage service deployment, and develop effective systems for monitoring progress, outcomes, and destinations of pupils.

Ensuring cooperative working across departments and with external partners to support children and their families, overseeing strategic decision-making panels, and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of curriculum developments, legislation, and best practices in SEND are also key aspects of this role.

We are looking for someone with substantial experience in leadership and management within a SEND or inclusion service. You should have a proven ability to manage staff, budgets, and strategic change, along with in-depth knowledge of SEND policy, statutory regulations, and best practices. Strong leadership, communication, and partnership working skills, as well as the ability to think and plan strategically, manage large budgets, and lead change projects, are essential. Experience with Ofsted inspections, legal complaints procedures, and direct work with parents and carers, along with additional qualifications in inclusion, teaching, or leadership and management, are desirable.

You will be joining us at a time of positive change and improvement and the successful candidate will be a key contributor to the strategy for delivering high-quality integrated partnerships focused on improving the outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Developing positivecommunication with children and young people with SEND, their parents and carers, educational settings, health care providers, and other stakeholders is key to this role.

Why Join Us?

At Derbyshire County Council, we are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment. We offer opportunities for professional development and the chance to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

If you are passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND and have the skills and experience we are looking for, we would love to hear from you.

To apply, please submit your CV along with a supporting statement, which should align with the job profile and outline your relevant experiences and skills.

Provisional Interview Date: 17 February 2025

Due to this post having access to children and/or vulnerable adults, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

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