Head of SEND

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Description

We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.

This role has a starting salary of £79,260 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week.

We are excited to be hiring a new Head of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to join our fantastic Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) service.

This role is based in Woking and is open to hybrid working. As a team we split our time between working from home and collaborating together in the office for a minimum of two days per week. In addition, we aim for visits to schools and settings to take place on a regular basis as we continue to build upon our collaborative working with them.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Team

At Surrey we are committed to ensuring that all children and young people with SEND receive an outstanding service, and we are well on our journey towards offering this. We encourage our SEND and Inclusion Services to work closely and collaboratively in affecting timely and purposeful casework that ensures the best possible outcomes for vulnerable children and young people. Relational and restorative working practices underpin all our practice with stakeholders, partners, clients and customers.

About the Role

This role will have strategic oversight the Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) process and the completion of Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) annual reviews. It will also be responsible for the delivery and reporting of these statutory functions through the leadership of locality SEND teams.

You will work with colleagues across the county council and directorate, as well as partner organisations and stakeholders such as councillors, headteachers and parent and voluntary organisations to plan, lead and review the delivery of these statutory duties. You will be responsible for ensuring that partner agencies are appraised of changes to demand for EHCPs and provision and the impact upon their organisations.

This role requires effective prioritisation of competing pressures and management of inter-dependencies including oversight of and mitigations for any risks and issues arising.

Attached to this role is a high-cost decision making function and oversite of an establishment of over 100 staff. This role will carry a high political profile and will require you to use your strong dispute resolution skills to manage situations sensitively.

You will deputise for the Assistant Director for SEND when required to ensure continuity of service.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• Understanding of the Childrens and Families Act and how this applies to the work of the SEND teams in the delivery of the ECHNA process, Annual Reviews and Key Stage Transfer
• Evidence of leadership within SEND (or linked service)
• Understanding of the needs of Families, Young People and Schools
• Awareness of the local and national pressures impacting SEND
• Understanding of the value of relational working.

Contact us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For an informal discussion please contact Liz Bone by e-mail at liz.bone@surreycc.gov.uk

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 08/05/2025 with interviews planned for 16/05/2025.

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Our Values

Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.

Files to download

• Head of SEND- Job Description (PDF)

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