Head of SEND Assessment and Review Service (SENDAR)

Salary details: £ - £

Shape the Future of SEND in Derbyshire

Derbyshire County Council is seeking an ambitious, experienced and values-driven leader to become our Head of SEND Assessment and Review (SENDAR).

This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the county's most important SEND services at a significant point in our improvement journey. We have recently introduced locality-based teams, strengthened our approach to dispute resolution and inclusion, and are committed to delivering high-quality services that place children, young people and their families at the centre of everything we do.

As Head of SENDAR, you will provide strategic leadership for Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs), Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), annual reviews, mediation and tribunal activity across Derbyshire. Working closely with colleagues across education, health and social care, you will ensure children and young people receive the right support, at the right time, to help them achieve positive outcomes and prepare for adulthood.

This is a key leadership role offering the opportunity to influence strategic direction, drive continuous improvement and make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people with SEND.

What You'll Be Doing

As Head of SENDAR, you will:

• Lead and develop Derbyshire's statutory SEND assessment, planning, review, mediation and appeals services.
• Drive service improvement and ensure compliance with SEND legislation and statutory guidance.
• Shape and deliver the service's strategic vision, business plan and performance framework.
• Ensure high-quality Education, Health and Care Plans and annual reviews that are centred on the aspirations of children, young people and families.
• Provide leadership across mediation and tribunal activity, promoting early resolution and collaborative working.
• Use data, insight and feedback to improve service performance, outcomes and experiences for families.
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with schools, health colleagues, social care teams, parent carers and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to wider SEND strategy and transformation programmes across the council and partnership system.
• Lead, support and inspire a skilled workforce committed to delivering excellent services.

About You

We're looking for a confident and credible leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

You will bring:

• Significant leadership experience within SEND or related statutory services.
• A strong understanding of SEND legislation, statutory assessment processes and EHCP delivery.
• Experience of leading service improvement and managing performance in complex public sector environments.
• The ability to build productive relationships with partners, families and stakeholders.
• Strong strategic, analytical and organisational skills.
• A commitment to coproduction, inclusion and achieving the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

Most importantly, you will share our determination to create services that are responsive, ambitious and focused on what matters most to children, young people and their families.

Why Derbyshire?

At Derbyshire, we are committed to creating the best possible future for children and young people with SEND.

This is an exciting time to join us. You will become part of a leadership team focused on continuous improvement, innovation and collaboration, with the opportunity to influence the future development of SEND services across one of the largest local authority areas in the country.

We value creativity, challenge and new ideas, and we are committed to supporting our leaders to thrive.

What We Offer

As part of our team, you will benefit from:

• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible working arrangements
• Flexi-time scheme with the ability to accrue additional leave
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Derbyshire Rewards employee discount scheme
• Electric vehicle scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Occupational Health and wellbeing support
• Access to physiotherapy and counselling services
• Discounts on leisure membership
• Free parking at most council sites
• Networks and groups that promote diversity, inclusion and employee wellbeing
• Ongoing professional development and leadership opportunities

Want to Know More?

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Rachel Moore at Rachel.moore@derbyshire.gov.uk.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and communities who share our values of being:

Collaborative • Innovative • Empowered • Accountable

Together, we are making a positive difference for Derbyshire's children, young people and families.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Due to this post having access to children and/or vulnerable adults, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.

We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.