At Cheshire East we’re offering a rare opportunity to help shape the strategic direction of a system in transformation and to play a defining role in the next chapter for children and families in Cheshire East as we build something special, to last.
Overview
We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Service – SEND, based at Delamere House, Crewe. This role provides strategic leadership, vision and accountability for the council’s statutory SEND assessment, planning and annual review functions, shaping the local area’s approach to inclusion for children and young people aged 0–25. It is central to delivering the council’s ambition that every child and young person can achieve, participate and thrive within an inclusive education system.
Responsibilities
- Set the strategic direction for SEND assessment, planning and review across the local area.
- Translate legislation and national policy into a clear local operating model with measurable outcomes, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and the Education strategy.
- Own the performance and quality strategy for the EHC pathway, including key performance indicators, audits, moderation, feedback loops and continuous improvement cycles.
- Ensure reliable statutory returns and inspection‑ready evidence; lead SEND assessment governance to make risks and mitigations visible and managed.
- Lead SEND assessment preparation for Ofsted/CQC local area SEND activity, ensuring the local authority’s self‑evaluation, improvement plans and evidence base are current and impact‑focused.
- Lead on the establishment of systematic reporting processes, providing regular reports and synopses on key work streams to Senior Management, relevant Council forums and other bodies as required.
Qualifications
- Expert knowledge of Part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Regulations and the SEND Code of Practice.
- Proven track record of leading statutory SEND teams at scale and delivering measurable improvements in timeliness, quality and sustaining legal compliance.
- Experience supervising, training and developing staff, and managing prioritisation of work programmes.
- Experience in strategy setting, complex change, digital transformation, performance and quality frameworks, and inspection readiness.
- High‑level partnership skills across education, health and social care, and experience co‑producing work with families and young people.
- Strong skills in chairing panels, strategic planning, quality assurance and data‑led performance.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, able to brief, challenge and persuade at pace, and confident in handling complex and sensitive matters including tribunals and complaints.
- Ability to converse at ease with stakeholders, providing advice in accurate spoken English.
Equal Opportunities
As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our local communities so that we can all work for a brighter future – together.
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