0 – 5 SEND Service Manager

Overview

In this role you will provide strategic leadership for the 0–5 SEND Service, guiding the team and ensuring high-quality, inclusive support for children with SEND. You will work with families, early years settings and partners to improve outcomes, shape policy, and manage performance and budgets. This position sits within the city council’s commitment to safeguarding, diversity, and cross-sector collaboration. You will drive measurable impact through data-driven improvement and strong stakeholder engagement.

Pay / Benefits

• generous holiday entitlement
• flexible working opportunities
• reduced hour contracts or job share options
• opportunities for flexible working
• support for unpaid caring responsibilities
• Equality of pay initiative and safeguarding focus

Responsibilities

• Lead the 0–5 SEND team and service development
• Manage people, performance, budgets and resources
• Use data and quality assurance to improve outcomes
• Build partnerships and advise senior leaders and elected members

Key requirements

• Confident senior manager with experience in children and families services
• Strong knowledge of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
• Knowledge of SEND legislation and practice
• Track record of leading people, change, partnerships and budgets
• Degree or equivalent and relevant management training or experience

• excellent judgement
• strong communication
• influencing and stakeholder engagement
• EYFS knowledge
• SEND legislation and practice
• data-informed quality assurance and outcomes improvement

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