Job Description
Interim Head of SEND Improvements Temporary Contract Job Details Slough Borough CouncilService Area: Children’s Services – Education Hours: 37 hours per week Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 17:30 Start Date: 01 May 2026 End Date: 31 August 2026 Closing Date: 30 April 2026 at 10:00 Location Office Base: Observatory House25 Windsor RoadSloughBerkshireSL1 2 EJPay PAYE Rate: £518.56 per day Equivalent Hourly Rate: £70.08 per hour Job Overview Slough Borough Council is seeking an experienced Interim Head of SEND Improvements to provide senior leadership capacity and strategic programme oversight across SEND improvement activity.This role will focus on delivering the Priority Improvement Action Plan, driving strategic transformation of SEND services, strengthening partnership working and ensuring improvement activity is aligned, accountable and delivering impact for children, young people and families.The successful candidate will lead cross-cutting improvement work, bringing together multiple interdependent plans and enabler workstreams across data, ICT, co-production, governance and operational change.Important – Please Read CarefullyThis role requires senior-level SEND improvement and transformation experience.You must have a strong track record of leading large-scale SEND, education or children’s services improvement programmes, including work linked to inspection outcomes, governance, data improvement and stakeholder engagement.Candidates without relevant senior SEND improvement experience are unlikely to be considered.Key ResponsibilitiesLead the implementation of the Priority Improvement Action Plan across SEND servicesTranslate multiple improvement plans and interdependent workstreams into a coherent strategic action and resource planAlign activity, resources and accountability against a single improvement frameworkAccelerate data cleansing and dashboard development to improve visibility of SEND provision, quality and performanceReview governance and quality assurance arrangements to strengthen oversight and accountabilityDevelop a clear strategic narrative for decision makers, including risks, mitigations and delivery confidenceEngage proactively with parent-carer forums, partners and stakeholders to support co-production and rebuild trustWork closely with commissioners to reduce the risk of non-compliance with the Children and Families Act 2014 and best value dutiesSupport rapid operational change and culture shift across SEND servicesDrive cost-effective service delivery and improved outcomes for children and young people with SEND Essential Experience & SkillsStrong track record of achievement at senior leadership levelGood understanding of SEND policy, legislation and inspection challengesProven success in managing large-scale, complex transformation programmesExperience working within SEND, education, health or children’s services improvementStrong strategic planning and programme delivery skillsExperience leading governance, quality assurance and performance improvement activityStrong problem-solving and decision-making skillsExperience facilitating change, promoting new ways of working and driving culture changeFinancial understanding of high-needs funding, commissioning and complex-needs-led budgetsExcellent stakeholder management and communication skills, including with senior leaders, parents and carers Additional Information Enhanced DBS and barred list check will be required on offer acceptance.Job Reference: RQ…