Head of SEND and Inclusion
A bit about us:
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We've got ambitious targets to meet by 2025 and we need people who are driven, dynamic and ready to deliver the very best for our communities. Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do.
Working at Liverpool City Council 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.
We are proud of our world-famous thriving city with its rich culture, affordable housing, stunning waterfront and our beautiful green spaces – there’s really something for everyone!
The Role:
- An exciting leadership opportunity has emerged within Liverpool Children and Young People’s Services, as we aim to strengthen Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) services. This role is crucial in ensuring a cohesive and comprehensive approach to meeting the diverse needs of children and young people in our city. You will manage a team of six direct reports, each responsible for critical aspects of our SEND and AP services.
- You will play a key role in overseeing the implementation of the Local Area SEND Strategy, monitoring progress, and adjusting planning as needed to achieve desired outcomes.
- You will champion person-centred practices within specialist teams, ensuring a tailored and inclusive approach to education for children and young people with SEND and those at risk of exclusion.
- You will collaborate closely with the Parent Carer Forum to ensure active involvement in decision-making processes, promoting transparency and inclusivity.
- You will establish and maintain strong partnerships with key stakeholders, including headteacher associations.
- You will take a lead responsibility for overseeing High Needs Block expenditure, including special school place planning, and ensuring efficient allocation of financial resources to support the delivery of high-quality SEND and AP services.
- You will lead and implement a SEND development plan ensuring accurate data management and analysis as well as supporting the quality assurance process.
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You will oversee the development of the Graduated Approach Handbook, taking a proactive stance in monitoring, amending, and implementing it, ensuring it reflects best practices and aligns with evolving educational policy.
Our offer to you:
- At least 27 days holiday rising to 32 after 5 years service.- option to purchase further days
- Agile working - A “Flexibility First” approach to Agile working where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception.
- Part of the Local Government Pension scheme – option to join the AVC scheme-
- Progression - opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning
- Health and Wellbeing - offer including Employee assistance programme
- Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes
- Drive Time – a salary sacrifice car lease scheme
- Family friendly policies with enhanced leave
- Discounted Gym Memberships
- Employee Volunteering Scheme
- Medicash
Next steps:
Closing Date for this role is: Sunday 21 July 2024
If you would like to talk to a member of the team about the role or have an informal discussion, please contact – Reena Bhogal-Welsh, reena.bhogal-welsh@liverpool.gov.uk
Liverpool City Council is committed to fostering a workforce representative of the communities we serve. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe in appointing candidates based on their skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities. To support this commitment, we guarantee an interview to candidates from under-represented groups who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role.
If you require any reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010, such as an application form in a different format or additional time to complete your application, please contact us at recruitment@liverpool.gov.uk
Although we advertise on Jobs go public, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications. Please ensure you complete your full profile, work and education history in Tribepad.
We reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications. If interested, please complete an application as early as possible.