East Sussex County Council
Service Manager Assessment and Planning Team, 0-13 (INTERNAL)
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An exciting secondment opportunity has arisen within the East Sussex Assessment and Planning Team, part of the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Service, for a Service Manager.
This is a key leadership role where you will lead a team of Team Leaders and Assessment and Planning Officers, overseeing a caseload of children aged 0–13 with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). You will play a central role in shaping, coordinating and delivering statutory SEND processes. The postholder will be accountable for the statutory duties, performance and quality of service delivery across the 0–13 team, ensuring compliance with the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice.
We are looking for an aspirational and experienced manager who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND. This role requires someone with strong operational management skills, sound professional judgement and the ability to work confidently with complex and sensitive situations. You will be a resilient and innovative leader, able to use data and insight to drive performance, ensure statutory compliance, and continuously improve service delivery.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strong leadership experience within education or children’s services
- Excellent working knowledge of SEND legislation, including the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice
- Proven experience of improving team performance and delivering results in a complex and demanding environment
- A commitment to partnership working and co-production with parents, carers and young people
- The ability to lead through change, build cohesive teams and support staff development
- Strong problem-solving, negotiation and influencing skills
This role is subject to a hybrid working agreement currently set at 2 days on site at County Hall, Lewes and 3 days working from home. Please note this is subject to change at short notice dependant on service requirements and demands.
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This is a secondment opportunity which is only available to existing ESCC employees. Please review the Secondment Policy (Secondments and Acting Up arrangements | ESCC Intranet) for more information.
Please download the Job Description and Person Specification ([https://fa-euru-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/cs/groups/public/documents/document/yta5/nju5/~edisp/ucmfa09659220.docx]) for more information.
To apply for this role, please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button above and upload your CV and a Supporting Statement. We will be using your Supporting Statement to shortlist so please be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests.
For guidance on how to write an application see our how to apply page ([https://fa-euru-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/External/pages/10005]) and our statement on the use of AI ([https://fa-euru-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/External/pages/23001]).
Interviews are scheduled for Monday 27 July 2026 and will be in the form of a face-to-face interview, followed by a task. This will be in County Hall, Lewes.
Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See our priority status page ([https://fa-euru-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/External/pages/10009]) for details.
What can the Education Division offer you?
- A motivated team committed to the continuous improvement of outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
- A commitment to a model of reflective practice based on regular supervision to support all employees in their professional development.
- A continued professional development (CPD) programme to ensure your personal and professional skills and knowledge are enhanced and developed to support the performance of the service.
- A team of motivated and committed peers.
- We also offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page ([https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/jobs/benefits]).
- County Hall provides a café with a full range of hot and cold lunches, snacks and drinks with seating both indoors and out.
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For an informal discussion about this opportunity contact Lorraine Rumary, Senior Manager: SEND Statutory Case Work at Lorraine.rumary@eastsussex.gov.uk.
You will be working at County Hall; the Head Office for the County Council, based on the edge of Lewes Town Centre, which is within walking distance to the town and train station. County Hall is also on a bus route and car parking is available on site at a reduced rate for employees.
For work that makes a difference, choose East Sussex.
Additional Information
This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record. Please note that we require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad.
Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.
If you require sponsorship to work in the UK please let the hiring manager know this in your application so we can check eligibility for sponsorship for the role. For further information please go to https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas.
If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.
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