Job Description
Organisation: London Borough of Waltham Forest
Location: Walthamstow, Greater London, United Kingdom
Working hours per week: 36
Application Deadline: 21/05/2026
Reference: 2128
About the role: This is an exciting opportunity to lead improvement and innovation across SEND education in Waltham Forest, ensuring that children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) achieve positive outcomes and access the right education at the right time. As Head of Service you will provide strategic and operational leadership across a complex and high‑profile portfolio—shaping borough-wide SEND strategy, driving inclusive practice, and strengthening quality assurance across specialist, independent and post‑16 provision.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead meaningful change: shape strategy and deliver practical improvements for children and families.
- System leadership: influence partners across education, health and care and work with senior leaders and elected members.
- Commissioning and sufficiency: develop the local specialist estate and secure high‑quality, value‑for‑money provision.
- Quality and impact: strengthen assurance, safeguarding and outcomes‑focused monitoring across placements.
Qualifications and requirements: Senior SEND leader with degree level education, relevant professional qualification in SEND/education/commissioning or similar. Significant experience of strategic commissioning and service transformation, strong partnership working across education, health and care, and confident leadership of quality assurance and safeguarding. Working knowledge of SEND legislation and statutory duties, excellent communication skills (including with senior leaders and elected members), and a clear commitment to inclusive education and equity. (Desirable: NPQ or SEND‑specific leadership training.)
Terms and conditions:
- Satisfactory employment references and CIFAS identity checks.
- Satisfactory declaration of interest.
- This role is subject to safer recruitment practices as it involves work with children and/or vulnerable adults.
- Satisfactory DBS check.
- Fluent spoken English required.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and integral to service delivery and employment. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and works to respond to the changing needs of its population. We use statutory duties on race, gender, disability equality and best practice in respect of age, faith and sexual orientation to ensure equality of opportunity. The Council is committed to meeting its 4 equality objectives: promoting equality of opportunity, opposing discrimination, reflecting workforce diversity and providing excellent services. Respecting diversity is a core Council value.
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Organisation: London Borough of Waltham Forest
Location: Walthamstow, Greater London, United Kingdom
Working hours per week: 36
Application Deadline: 21/05/2026
Reference: 2128
About the role: This is an exciting opportunity to lead improvement and innovation across SEND education in Waltham Forest, ensuring that children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) achieve positive outcomes and access the right education at the right time. As Head of Service you will provide strategic and operational leadership across a complex and high‑profile portfolio—shaping borough-wide SEND strategy, driving inclusive practice, and strengthening quality assurance across specialist, independent and post‑16 provision.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead meaningful change: shape strategy and deliver practical improvements for children and families.
- System leadership: influence partners across education, health and care and work with senior leaders and elected members.
- Commissioning and sufficiency: develop the local specialist estate and secure high‑quality, value‑for‑money provision.
- Quality and impact: strengthen assurance, safeguarding and outcomes‑focused monitoring across placements.
Qualifications and requirements: Senior SEND leader with degree level education, relevant professional qualification in SEND/education/commissioning or similar. Significant experience of strategic commissioning and service transformation, strong partnership working across education, health and care, and confident leadership of quality assurance and safeguarding. Working knowledge of SEND legislation and statutory duties, excellent communication skills (including with senior leaders and elected members), and a clear commitment to inclusive education and equity. (Desirable: NPQ or SEND‑specific leadership training.)
Terms and conditions:
- Satisfactory employment references and CIFAS identity checks.
- Satisfactory declaration of interest.
- This role is subject to safer recruitment practices as it involves work with children and/or vulnerable adults.
- Satisfactory DBS check.
- Fluent spoken English required.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and integral to service delivery and employment. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and works to respond to the changing needs of its population. We use statutory duties on race, gender, disability equality and best practice in respect of age, faith and sexual orientation to ensure equality of opportunity. The Council is committed to meeting its 4 equality objectives: promoting equality of opportunity, opposing discrimination, reflecting workforce diversity and providing excellent services. Respecting diversity is a core Council value.
#J-18808-Ljbffr…