Head of Service - SEND & Inclusion

Head of SEND and Inclusion

A Confident and Connected Borough

Sefton is the northern borough of Liverpool City Region with more than 273,000 residents.

Boasting 22 miles of stunning coastline, Sefton is a leading coastal tourist destination with a flourishing visitor economy. Spanning the busy Port of Liverpool, the famous Antony Gormley’s ‘Another Place’ installation, attractive beaches and dunes, to the resort town of Southport, the diversity of the Borough provides a unique mix of urban and natural setting.

This is a diverse and exciting Borough where people can enjoy a great work-life balance.  With excellent transport links, Sefton is well placed for accessing cities across the North West, including Liverpool and Manchester.

Sefton is a vibrant local authority that is already on a journey of aspiration and ambition as it works towards delivering its exciting Vision 2030.  This journey is shared with our partners and communities as we strive to ensure Sefton is a confident and connected Borough.

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen as we now recruit to the post of Head of Service for SEND and Inclusion.

Sefton wishes to recruit a Strategic Leader able to shape and deliver its strategic vision for SEND and Inclusion.  The individual will be able to think holistically working with services directly under their control, but more importantly will be able to shape and influence thinking within the entire system. Leadership will be key to drive forward change.

The successful candidate will report directly to the Assistant Director of Education Excellence and have overall responsibility for our statutory services for SEND and our Inclusion strategy and services. This is a key role in the Area Partnership and the commitment and ability to work with our key partners in Education, Health and Social Care is essential.

You will be responsible for ensuring that leadership, strategies, procedures and activities in SEND and Inclusion are delivered to ensure partnership arrangements with schools meet high expectations with the key aim ensuring the potential of all Sefton’s children and young people is maximised to fulfil their potential.

An expert in the Education Sector able to be the Authority’s go to person on Inclusion matters, this will involve not only expert knowledge but also ideally experience within the Education sector at a high level.  A detailed understanding of national policy and developments in SEND, Children’s Services and Local Government is essential, as is a proven track record of working effectively and in co-operation and partnership with a wide range of schools, communities, partner agencies, public agencies, voluntary bodies and statutory authorities.

As a credible and confident communicator with excellent presentation skills, you will have the ability to influence at a senior level and contribute to and influence local, regional and national initiatives, promoting Sefton’s interest and maximising opportunities.