SALARY RANGE: £81,501 - £92,483 (SCP59-63)

We are looking for a Head of Service: Head of SEND and Inclusion to join our Access & Inclusion Management Team.
It is an exciting time to join Walsall Children’s Services as we are on a ‘Walsall Right for Children’ transformation journey, transforming services to ensure children and families are at the centre of everything we do. This has been recognised by His Majesty’s Ofsted inspectors who described Walsall Council as a place where children are at the heart, and rated Children’s Services as ‘Outstanding’ in July 2025. This is an excellent opportunity for someone to make a real difference to children and families and to help develop our team.

1. Leadership and management of Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) Team and deliver statutory services in line with Special Educational Needs Code of Practice.
2. Management of Tribunal’s and mediation process.
3. Maintain and develop the statutory Local Offer.
4. Work closely with schools in developing their inclusivity and ordinarily available provision.
5. Management of the Educational Psychology Service.
6. Leadership and management of Specialist Support Services, including Early Years Special Educational Needs Service, Hearing Impaired and Visually Impaired Services to children
   with special needs and their families.
7. Hold statutory function in relation to Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCO).
8. Develop and maintain Quality Assurance Framework for SEND. Ensure service is inspection ready.
9. Responsible for Dedicated Schools Grant and High Needs Funding and reporting to all accountable bodies and partners.

The successful candidate will have/be:

• Successful Headship/Senior leadership experience in school(s) or Local Authority.

• Develops effective relationships internally and externally and responds to external pressures; , is politically astute and understands how the organisation works in line with the constitution and supporting guidance. Finds ways of working with partners.

• Establishes and promotes a clear vision for services within the post’s remit which is coherent with the Council Plan and vision for the Borough and complies with Government policy taking account of social and economic trends. Role model the behaviours expected of others in creating a high performing culture across the organisation where people feel empowered and accountable

Please contact Sharon Kelly, Director Access and Inclusion, for further information sharon.kelly@walsall.gov.uk
Closing date: 22 nd August 2025
Interviews 1 st September 2025
View: Job Description and Employee Specification
Walsall Council is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Legislation imposes restrictions on political activity for certain local government employees. This position is designated as a politically restricted (sensitive) post as set out in Part 1 the Local Government & Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Political Restrictions) Regulations 1990 (LGO(PR)R 1990) [SI 851] and S.30 of the Local Democracy Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.
This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English
Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment. We will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce. Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children and young people and vulnerable adults.
Note: Applicants appointed to posts that require an enhanced DBS clearance must declare any periods of time that they have lived, studied or worked abroad and be prepared to provide an Overseas Criminal Records Certificate (OCRC) or a Statement of Good Conduct (SOGC) relating to anytime they were overseas