Strategic Lead - Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Job Description
Job summary
We are looking for an experienced leader with extensive working knowledge of services/arrangements for SEND including the SEND code of practice and related legislation, statutory guidance, government policy, practice guidance and best practice.
This is a new role that will deliver leadership across Berkshire including SEND self-evaluation, reporting and improvement work across the CFAA Division.
You will work closely with the Divisional senior leadership team and with system partners, including the DCO and neurodiversity leads in the ICB, SEND leads in the local authorities, as well as with service leads and clinicians across all relevant teams in the division. We are anticipating statutory SEND inspections in several of our local authorities over the next 12 months and part of the role will include development and oversight of our self-evaluation framework (SEF), coordinating reports and divisional representatives for inspections and supporting improvement work, including action plans arising from inspections.
There will be an expectation of the post holder to travel to sites across Berkshire. Hybrid working can be supported; but to act as SEND Lead for the Division the ability to travel and meet face to face will be key in attending relevant partnership meetings, maintaining expertise in subject matter knowledge and in establishing a network of SEND Champions in all services, to improve quality, experiences and outcomes for SEND.
Main duties of the job
Various professional registrations will be appropriate as this does not need to be restricted to HCPCs.
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Working with the Divisional Senior Leadership Team (Operational and Clinical), take a lead on the development and oversight of the SEND self-evaluation framework (SEF), coordinating training,auditsand oversight of action plans.
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Facilitatinginternal Berkshire Healthcare SEND meetings.
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Championingco-production and engagement with families, children and young people ensuring their voices has an impact on development of services.
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Workingwith business and performance leads, to ensure the SEND dashboard and any other required reporting ismaintainedand reportssubmittedwithin requiredtimeframes.
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Line-managingthe CFAA EHCNA (education,healthand care needs assessment) coordinators.
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Coordinatingand reportingon quality audits and mandatory EHCNA performance targets, taking a lead on any improvement action required.
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Actingasa central pointof contact for SEND within the Division, overseeing and coordinating attendance at and involvement with system SEND forums and strategic groups and ensuring robust communication about all matters relating to SEND within the Division.
- Working closely with the Designate Clinical Officers and Divisional Leadership Team,coordinatingand overseeingthe divisions involvement/response/submissions for inspections
About us
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
- Caring for and about you is our top priority
- Committed to providing good quality, safe services
- Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
- Flexible working options to support work-life balance
- 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
- Generous NHS pension scheme
- Excellent learning and career development opportunities
- 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
- Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
- Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
- Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
- Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
- Free parking across Trust sites
Job responsibilities
The role has been advertised as a full-time role, but part time hours would be considered. Base can be agreed at point of offer.
The must haves for this role:
- Indepth knowledge of SEND legislation, statutory responsibilities and the SEND Code of Practice (025) and its application within health systems.
- Experience of providing systemlevel leadership and influence across health, local authorities, education and wider partners.
- Significant experience of inspection readiness, assurance and improvement leadership, including Area SEND inspections and CQCrelated processes.
- Experience of operating with high levels of autonomy, managing risk and providing credible challenge to senior leaders and system partners
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We have identified that this is a role where we have underrepresentation of ethnically diverse colleagues. As part of our commitment to inclusion and Unity Against Racism we offer guaranteed interviews to candidates who meet the essential criteria and identify as: Asian or Asian British, Black or Black British, Mixed and Other Ethnic Groups.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call: Helen Alderman via [email protected] or Louise Noble via [email protected] wholl be delighted to help.
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications/Training
Essential
- Master's level or equivalent professional qualification relating to the children's workforce i.e. health, social work or education
Continuous Professional Development
Essential
- Evidence of sustained leadership development and continuing professional development
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- In-depth knowledge of SEND legislation, statutory responsibilities and the SEND Code of Practice (0-25) and its application within health systems
- Proven experience of providing system-level leadership and influence across health, local authorities, education and wider partners
- Significant experience of inspection readiness, assurance and improvement leadership, including Area SEND inspections and CQC-related processes
- Experience of operating with high levels of autonomy, managing risk and providing credible challenge to senior leaders and system partners
- Track record of embedding co-production and lived-experience leadership within strategic decision-making
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel across the system and region as required
- Flexibility to support system priorities, including attendance at occasional evening or urgent meetings
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
Address
London House, London Road, Bracknell RG12 2UT
London Road
Bracknell
RG12 2UT
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
