Send Service Manager

Looking to take your career to new heights? Look no further than Sanctuary Personnel, an esteemed and award-winning recruitment agency. With a TrustPilot score of 4.9/5 and nearly 1000 reviews, we are dedicated to connecting with talented professionals like you. We have an exciting locum opportunity for a SEND Service Manager with UK experience to join our team.

Location: Rochdale. 3 days in the office a week, hybrid.

Pay rate (Assignment rate): £460 per day

Contract Length: 3-Months

Shift Pattern: 37 hours per week, flexible working hours in accordance with the needs of the service. Occasional out-of-hours working, which will be compensated for in accordance with the Local Conditions of Service.

Duties:

• Lead and manage SEND services within the local authority including the Education Health and Care Planning process and projects
• Lead on performance, quality assurance and data developments in relation to SEND for the LA and Education
• Work in partnership with the Designated Clinical Officer and the Designated Social Care Officer to implement continuous improvement in SEND, to design, mobilize and embed multi-disciplinary ways of working and projects at every level
• Lead on the commissioning of specialist placements for children with SEND and to support the development of an Educational Sufficiency Statement including market engagement and development
• Manage the implementation of an improvement plan for SEND Transport
• Work closely with the SEND Strategic Lead and Assistant Directors in children’s services to improve performance and quality by designing and implementing new initiatives which support children at Early Help, SEN and EHCP level of need
• Lead teams within SEND in their preparation for and in response to inspections and to support inspection readiness, reporting and statutory compliance
• Ensure that the statutory responsibilities in respect of SEN are discharged and delivered to the agreed standards, eligibility criteria and procedures/guidance
• Coordinate and undertake routine multi-disciplinary audits, quality assurance of SEN service delivery and implement improvement plans
• Be responsible for the effective integration of the SEN and EHCP assessment, review and support
• Ensure that the child and family voice is central to care planning and service design
• Establish and maintain systems for the supervision, support, data, performance monitoring and development of all staff for whom the postholder has responsibility
• Promote best practice in relation to SEN by taking a lead role in collaborative working with Governors, schools, early year’s settings and other providers of education services for children and young people with SEN/LDD, aged 0-25, including training/briefings as required
• Manage budgets and resources which are the responsibility of the postholder
• Contribute to service wide planning and to devise and deliver service team plans as required
• Ensure that high standards of customer care are consistently applied across all aspects of the service provision, ensuring that the voice of children and young people with additional needs and their parents/carers is heard and influences service development
• Respond to complaints, compliments, and freedom of information requests in a timely manner
• Escalate risks and prepare business plans in relation to service progress issues
• Respond to and present the systems case in relation to tribunals and legal challenge
• Devise SLAs, service specifications and contracts in conjunction with the commissioning team and to review and monitor contract performance including any traded services under the postholder’s area of responsibility
• Establish and develop effective working relationships with colleagues, Elected Members, other agencies including healthcare providers, the voluntary sector and community groups
• Prepare and contribute to high quality written reports and plans
• Represent the LA at regional meetings as required

Requirements for the SEND Service Manager role:

• The ability to work flexible hours including evening and weekends on occasions where this is necessary
• The ability to travel across the borough and regionally and nationally as required
• Educated to degree level and significant experience in working in the field of SEND and Education Health and Care Planning Assessment and Review (EHCP)
• Experience of supervising, managing and leading staff within public services during a period of change
• Experience of working with a diverse range of children and young people with SEN and/or disabilities and their families
• Direct experience of successful multi-agency working
• Experience of commissioning and managing contracts
• Experience of budget monitoring and delivering projects on time and to budget
• Experience of evaluation, audit and quality assurance and contributing to inspection readiness
• Experience of working with a range of professionals including Headteachers, to ensure the development of services and affect change
• High level knowledge of legislation as it relates to SEND and associated guidance i.e. SEND Code of Practice 2015
• Evidence of specialist knowledge of the EHCP Process and associated legislation and statutory requirements
• Evidence of service design and improvement
• Evidence of good organisational and effective time management skills
• Ability to work at both a strategic and operational level within a demanding environment
• Broad understanding of the wider children’s services agenda
• Ability to relate to a wide range of stakeholders and demonstrate excellent communication skills, both oral and written and including presentation techniques, including children, young people and parents and carers
• Evidence of codesigning services and processes with those with lived experience
• Evidence of leading and managing teams through a change process
• Ability to deliver operational services in a fast paced environment with multiple demands
• Creative approach to problem solving across organisational boundaries

This SEND Service Manager position is advertised by Billy Holland. If you're ready to take the next step in your career, click above to apply now.

At Sanctuary Personnel, we believe in inclusivity and diversity. If you have a disability or require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in the workplace, please inform us at the earliest opportunity. We are committed to providing the necessary support throughout your journey with us.