Chief Officer Send And Learning Inclusion - Req24813

Job title: Chief Officer SEND & Learning Inclusion 

Salary: £87,834 to £96,418

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Various locations across the city

As Chief Officer SEND & Learning Inclusion, you’ll thrive on taking the lead in bringing partners and stakeholders together to ensure our city can provide the best possible support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 

This role is an opportunity to transform young lives for the better across the city. As Chief Officer SEND & Learning Inclusion you will be integral to the leadership team within the Learning Inclusion service in Children and Families and will hold a key position in the wider education and health sectors in the city.

You will lead on the delivery of the council’s statutory requirements for children with SEND or other needs and those in alternative provision, and collaborate with partners to develop Learning Inclusion services citywide. You’ll use your extensive senior leadership experience to develop a high performing workforce while managing resources to achieve overarching goals and objectives.

We are committed to the ambition of Child Friendly Leeds. We want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence. 

Our SEND and inclusion strategy sets out our plans to improve outcomes for children and reduce the inequalities they may face in their learning, health and wellbeing.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As our Chief Officer SEND & Learning Inclusion, you will bring to the role:

• A relevant professional qualification or equivalent substantial knowledge gained through significant leadership and managerial experience across the service area. 
• Experience of successful leadership and management of large scale complex change programmes with an understanding of the strategic issues that face integrated work.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate and establish credibility across sectors to enhance reputation and form positive relationships.
• Evidence of working with partners and key stakeholders to drive successful partnerships that deliver cross-sector priorities and outcomes.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the current local, regional and national issues and the legislative and political context relating to Learning Inclusion.

About the role 

If you want to make a positive difference to the education of vulnerable and SEND young people in Leeds, then the  Chief Officer SEND & Learning Inclusion role could be the perfect fit for you. 

With your strategic leadership and expertise you will advise decision makers across the council and lead a coordinated delivery of SEND and Learning Inclusion services to schools, children’s centres and all other places of learning. 

You will work directly with partners at a national, regional and local level to champion initiatives, promote best practice and support the delivery of real change across the city. 

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form by uploading your CV and personal statement, ensuring your application reflects the requirements of the role as outlined in the role profile.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application. 

For further information, please request a candidate information pack by emailing recruitment@leeds.gov.uk.

For more information or to arrange a discussion with Dan Barton, Deputy Director Learning, about the role please contact daniel.barton@leeds.gov.uk. 

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job purpose

Provide strategic leadership, sharing expertise and giving advice to decision makers across the council. Working with key partners at national, regional and local level, champion initiatives within the organisation and supporting the delivery of real change across the city.   

Responsibilities  

• Strategic leadership, management and coordinated delivery of Special Educational Needs, Disability and Learning Inclusion services to schools, Childrens Centres and all other places of learning to promote joint practice.  
• Provide strategic leadership, providing advice and expertise to decision makers across the Council. Working with key partners at national, regional and local level 
• Champion initiatives within the organisation and work in collaboration with colleagues and partners to support the delivery of real change across the city.  
• Lead a major area of the Directorate to ensure delivery of Best Value services to customers, meet the objectives of the Council and comply with Government Standards. 
• Take the strategic lead in developing the service in the context of city, regional and national priorities. 
• Lead, promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and inclusion in all aspects of  service delivery, community engagement and human resource areas, focussing on equality of outcome. 
• Work with key partners at national, regional and local level to champion Learning Inclusion initiatives within the organisation and in collaboration with partners, support the delivery of real change across the city.    
• Lead on the delivery of the councils statutory requirements for children with SEND, SEMH, medical needs, sensory needs, CLA and those excluded, electively home educated or in alternative provision. 
• Lead on the SEND and SEMH strategy for the city and development of specialist provision for children with SEND and SEMH needs across the city, working in partnership with learning providers and health commissioning partners. 
• Make an effective contribution to the improvement of outcomes, inclusion and equity for children and young people with SEND. 
• Actively develop, drive and implement continuous improvement initiatives both across the Council and within the Directorate, through collaborative working with partners. 
• Positively and effectively, lead, shape and influence the Learning Inclusion service to deliver the vision and goals of the Children's and Young Peoples Plan. 
• Make an effective contribution to the development, delivery, monitoring and review of strategy within Learning improvement, including the 3 As strategy to ensure it is integrated and coordinated with other strategic areas. 
• Support the active involvement of children and young people and families in how Children's Services are delivered and how they contribute to the ambitions of the Council as set out in the City Plan for Leeds, ensuring that children and young people have a voice and their views are heard. 
• Maintain effective communication and engagement with staff, service users, Members, trade unions, partners and other stakeholders which supports open, inclusive, responsive and accountable government. 
• Accountable for financial resources within the service area ensuring value for money of traded services for Learning Inclusion and working within financial regulations. 
• Lead managers within the service to develop a high performing workforce and manage resources to achieve service and overarching objectives. 
• In line with the Budget Management Accountability Framework to be responsible and accountable for developing appropriate, proportionate and effective financial solutions to be implemented across the Directorate. 
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate to the grade. 

Qualifications 

Appropriate professional qualification or equivalent substantial knowledge gained through significant leadership and managerial experience across the service area. 

 Working Context - Post holders will work flexibly both at home and at various locations across the City and region. All colleagues should work in line with our hybrid working principles and spend regular time in the workplace to support service delivery, meeting the needs of the team and the requirements of their individual role.  The hours are worked mainly Monday to Friday. However, the post holder will be expected to work outside normal working hours, including attendance at evening/weekend meetings or events if required to meet the needs of the service.  

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements. 

• Significant successful senior leadership experience.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate and establish credibility across sectors to enhance reputation and form positive relationships. 
• Evidence of working with partners and key stakeholders and of forging and driving successful partnerships to deliver cross sector priorities and outcomes. 
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the current local, regional and national issues and the legislative and political context relating to Learning Inclusion. 
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate and establish credibility across sectors to enhance reputation and form positive relationships.  
• Experience of successful leadership and management of large scale complex change programmes with an understanding of the strategic issues that face integrated work. 
• Demonstrate knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, policies, inspections and performance information and relevant strategic functions e.g. health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection.  
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of economic strategy and policy, understanding of local government political systems and experience of working on politically sensitive issues including significant experience of developing productive working relationships with Council Members, trade unions and Corporate Leadership Team. 

Behavioural & other Characteristics required

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct. 
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon 
• Be aware of promote and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection. 
• Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the behaviours, values and standards of Leeds City Council.  
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures. 
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies. 
• Comply with duties as a leader, under the Health and Safety at work Act, Leeds City Council Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy and supporting standards, values and behaviours.