Wakefield Council
Head of Service SEND
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About the Company
We are seeking an exceptional and committed leader to join our extended Children’s Service leadership team as a Head of Inclusion, Strategy, and Performance – (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities -SEND). This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking organisation at a time of significant transformation across the SEND, Health and Education landscape. We are ambitious for children and young people with SEND and are committed to building an inclusive system that delivers excellent outcomes, improves life chances, and places children, young people and families firmly at the heart of decision-making.
About the Role
As our Head of Service, you will play a pivotal role in leading and shaping our SEND services, driving both strategic development and operational performance. You will provide clear leadership and vision across the service, ensuring statutory responsibilities are met while creating the conditions for innovation, continuous improvement and outstanding practice.
Responsibilities
- The national SEND reform agenda presents a unique opportunity to rethink and reshape how services are designed and delivered.
- In this role, you will be at the forefront of that change, leading the delivery of our local SEND offer while contributing to wider regional and national developments.
- Working alongside national leads, regional partners and sector-led improvement networks, you will help influence the future direction of SEND services and ensure that local learning contributes to system-wide improvement.
- We are looking for a leader who is energised by the best possible outcomes for our children, young people and families, who can inspire others through a clear commitment to inclusion, collaboration and high aspirations.
- You will work closely with all sectors of education, health partners, social care colleagues, families and the voluntary sector to strengthen partnerships and develop innovative solutions to some of the most complex challenges facing the SEND system.
- Success in this role will require someone who can confidently navigate complexity while maintaining a strong focus on what matters most: improving outcomes and experiences for children, young people and their families.
- You will champion co-production, ensuring that services are shaped by the voices and lived experiences of those who use them, and you will foster a culture where creativity, accountability and continuous learning are embraced.
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Qualifications
- The successful candidate will bring significant leadership experience within SEND, education, or a related field, alongside a strong understanding of SEND legislation, statutory processes and system leadership.
- You will have a proven track record of delivering improvement, leading change and building high-performing teams, combined with excellent partnership, influencing and relationship-building skills.
Required Skills
- This is more than a service leadership role. It is an opportunity to help shape the future of SEND provision, contribute to local and national reform, and be part of a passionate and ambitious leadership team committed to creating lasting change.
- If you are a collaborative and visionary leader who shares our belief that every child and young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, we would welcome your application.
Preferred Skills
- Join a forward-thinking innovative team and help build an inclusive SEND system that delivers better outcomes for children, young people and families today, while shaping the services of tomorrow.
Pay range and compensation package
- A competitive salary
- Generous holiday entitlement with the option to buy up to 10 extra days of annual leave
- Hybrid working (subject to role suitability)
- Access to high-quality training programs to advance your career to the next level.
- We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of our staff. We recognise that resilient teams need good work life balance as well as supportive leadership.
- Discounted and subsidised public transport (Arriva Bus Annual Travel Ticket, Northern Trains Limited (NTL), MetroCard).
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and a Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) scheme providing a tax efficient way to increase our pension.
- Great range of benefits including an Employee Assistant Programme, discounted membership to our excellent leisure facilities with free 12 weeks exercise program, discounts for a range of retail, entertainment, health and leisure providers, a cycle to work scheme, and many more.
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Equal Opportunity Statement
If you would like to know more about the role, the recruitment process or working for Wakefield Council, feel free to contact.
Name: Nathan Heath
E-mail: nheath@wakefield.gov.uk
Join us and make a real impact in the community. Apply today to become a valued member of our team!
Safeguarding
Wakefield Council is wholly committed to ensuring children and vulnerable adults are fully supported and safe. We are dedicated to the safeguarding of all children and vulnerable adults whilst promoting their welfare. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this responsibility.
DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service)
The successful applicant will be required to complete a Disclosure Application Form and to provide criminal conviction information.
Probation
In accordance with the Council Probation Procedure, this post is subject to a 6-month Probationary Period.
Fluency Duty
To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), public facing roles will be subject to the Fluency Duty.
Diversity
Having a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve helps us to achieve the best outcomes for all. We encourage applications from everyone and actively seek to ensure that everyone feels included in the workplace so that we can make the most of our differences.
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