Head of Service – SEND Sufficiency and Service Improvement

at  Buckinghamshire Council

OVERVIEW

Are you passionate about shaping the future for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)?
Do you have the strategic vision and leadership skills to drive improvement and sufficiency in SEND services?
We are seeking a Head of Service – SEND Sufficiency and Service Improvement to lead transformative change, ensuring that every child and young person with SEND can access the provision that best meets their needs.
To work systemically in transforming SEND services to achieve lasting and improved outcomes for children and young people and delivering service improvements at pace.

ABOUT US

At Buckinghamshire Council, our Children’s Services team is dedicated to providing high-quality education and support to children and young people with SEND. Our service area includes the development and implementation of strategies to ensure sufficiency of places and services, compliance with statutory requirements, and continuous improvement in service quality. We work closely with parents, carers, education providers, health services, and other stakeholders to create a positive impact across the SEND system.
Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally.
Buckinghamshire is an ambitious, rapidly growing county, and our economy is one of the strongest in the country. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and ranks as one of the top rural areas to live in the UK and yet it is incredibly well connected– only an hour from London on the train. The county has a rich history and heritage and is the birthplace of the international Paralympic movement.
We are looking for motivated, ambitious and inspiring people to join us on our journey. You will be entitled to a range of different benefits to make sure you are happy both at work and at home.

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced leader who is committed to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in managing a service or professional expertise area in a large public sector organization. You will need to have a deep understanding of SEND legislation, funding frameworks, and local authority responsibilities. Strong leadership, project management, and organizational skills are essential, along with excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• A degree or equivalent in education, social care, or a related field.
• A professional qualification in SEND or leadership and management is desirable.
• A commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
• The ability to think innovatively and conceptually, delivering against strategic goals and operational targets.

OUR VALUES AND CULTURE

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.
From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.
We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

ABOUT THE ROLE

In this role, you will be at the forefront of driving service improvements and ensuring the sufficiency of SEND places and services. You will work closely with multi-agency partners, parents, carers, and young people to shape and enhance SEND services. Your strategic vision and operational expertise will be key in implementing the SEND strategy and delivery plan, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Day-to-day tasks will include:

• Leading the strategic planning, commissioning, and delivery of SEND provision.
• Implementing the SEND strategy and driving service improvements across the council.
• Ensuring compliance with statutory duties under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice (2014).
• Collaborating with stakeholders to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families.
• Managing and supporting a team of SEND professionals.

For more detailed information on the role, please refer to the attached job summary.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• A degree or equivalent in education, social care, or a related field.
• A professional qualification in SEND or leadership and management is desirable.
• A commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
• The ability to think innovatively and conceptually, delivering against strategic goals and operational targets