Bath & North East Somerset Council
Head of SEND
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At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose to improve people’s lives.
This is an Exciting Leadership Opportunity!
Bath & North East East Somerset Council is seeking an exceptional and ambitious leader to become our next Head of SEND.
This vacancy has arisen following the promotion of the current postholder and comes at an important point in the continued development of SEND services in Bath & North East Somerset. The service has benefited from significant investment, stronger partnership working across education, health and social care, and a clear platform for the next phase of improvement.
As Head of SEND, you will lead an experienced, committed and well-supported service, working with colleagues and partners to strengthen statutory delivery, improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND, and support wider SEND reform and transformation.
You will also join a supportive and effective Education senior management team, working alongside colleagues who share a strong commitment to inclusion, partnership and improving outcomes for children and young people.
About The Role
As Head of SEND, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the local authority's SEND service, ensuring the delivery of high-quality statutory services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
You will lead a complex professional service, manage significant resources and budgets, and work closely with schools, trusts, settings, parents and carers, health partners, social care colleagues, senior officers and elected Members.
The role will require a strong commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and co-production, ensuring that the voices and experiences of children, young people, parents and carers inform service improvement and decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the delivery and continuous improvement of SEND statutory services
- Ensure timely completion and effective quality assurance of Education, Health and Care Plans
- Support children and young people with SEND to access appropriate educational provision and placements
- Lead SEND sufficiency planning, specialist provision development and capital projects
- Contribute to the strategic leadership of SEND across education, health and social care
- Support the management of High Needs and Dedicated Schools Grant resources
- Lead SEND reform activity, improvement planning and inspection readiness
- Develop strong partnerships with schools, trusts, settings, families and system partners
- Provide senior oversight of complex casework, dispute resolution, complaints and tribunal-related activity, ensuring that decisions are lawful, child-centred and evidence-based
- Manage and develop a skilled and motivated workforce focused on delivering excellent outcomes for children and young people
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About You
We are looking for an inspirational leader who combines strategic vision with operational grip, a strong understanding of SEND statutory responsibilities and a clear commitment to inclusion.
You Will Have
- Significant senior leadership experience within education, SEND or children's services
- Expert knowledge of SEND legislation, statutory processes and best practice
- A proven track record of leading service improvement and delivering high-quality outcomes
- Experience of managing complex services, teams and budgets
- Strong partnership-working and stakeholder-management skills
- The ability to influence, challenge and work effectively at senior and political levels
- The ability to use data, quality assurance and service intelligence to identify risk and drive improvement
- A commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, co-production, collaboration and continuous improvement
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent knowledge, skills and experience
- Relevant professional qualification or equivalent professional expertise
- Strong understanding of SEND, education and children's services legislation and statutory guidance
Desirable
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Experience of SEND reform, inspection preparation or large-scale transformation programmes
- Experience of SEND sufficiency planning and specialist provision development
What We Offer
- Meaningful Impact - A unique opportunity to lead a service that will directly influence educational inclusion and improve outcomes for children and young people across Bath & North East Somerset.
- Professional Development - Access to high-quality leadership development, professional networks and ongoing learning opportunities.
- Flexible Working - A supportive and flexible working environment that promotes wellbeing and work-life balance.
- Collaborative Culture - Work alongside passionate colleagues and partners who share a commitment to inclusion, innovation and continuous improvement.
- Excellent Benefits - Including Local Government Pension Scheme, generous annual leave entitlement and a comprehensive employee benefits package.
Join us in our mission to create a more inclusive education system where every child and young person can succeed!
This is a B&NES Council Head of Service position working 37 hours per week on a permanent contract with annual leave and pension entitlement.
If you are interested in this post and require more details or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Christopher Wilford, Director of Education, on 01225 477109 or email christopher.wilford@bathnes.gov.uk
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Interview date: TBC
No Agencies Please.
Please note: that this advert may close earlier than the stated closing date due to high demand. We advise all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.
Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.
About Bath And North East Somerset Council
Working at Bath and North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.
Why Bath and North East Somerset Council?
We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. Go to Bath & North East Somerset Council Careers to find out more.
At Bath and North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose to improve peoples lives. Find out more about our values at Bath & North East Somerset Council Values.
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Bath & North East Somerset Council EDI.
We are a Disability Confident Employer find out more at Bath & North East Somerset Council Disability Confident.
The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.
Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.
Safeguarding Statement: The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.
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