High Needs Team Leader, Leeds

Job Title: High Needs Team LeaderSalary: Commencing at 32,870 with progression to 35,912 per annumClosing Date: 2026-06-28About the Role

Leeds City College are seeking a High Needs Team Leader to join our SEND department.

This role requires an experienced SEND professional to lead on the placement and support of students with Educational Health Care Plans, SEND, and ALS needs across a specific campus/cohort. You will be an operational main point of contact with parents and curriculum staff, make a contribution towards positive outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable students, and line manage a highly effective team within the department.

Leeds City College is the main education provider for post-16 students within the Leeds City region.

What You Will Do

• Lead and manage the SEND team to ensure high-quality support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
• Oversee the assessment, planning, implementation, and review of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
• Work collaboratively with schools, families, health professionals, and social care services to achieve positive outcomes.
• Manage complex SEND cases and resolve escalated issues effectively.
• Monitor service performance, quality standards, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to strategic planning, policy development, and service transformation projects.
• Prepare reports, analyze data, and present recommendations to senior management.
• Promote inclusive practices and advocate for the needs of children and young people with SEND

About You

1. Level 5 teaching qualification or relevant SEND / Learning Support related qualification or willingness to work towards.
2. English and Mathematics at Level 2 or above and a willingness to improve in one or both disciplines to level 3 or above.
3. Up to date knowledge and understanding of current Government SEND legislation/guidance related to transition, education, social care and health.
4. Extensive and proven experience of working with students with an EHCP and the implementation of appropriate support strategies.
5. Experience of multi-agency partnership working and stakeholder engagement with families, schools, and professionals.
6. Experience in performance monitoring, quality assurance, and data-informed reporting.
7. Knowledge of safeguarding, policy implementation, and continuous service improvement, including budget and resource management.

Benefits

The group offers a range of excellent benefits, including:

Annual leave:
Curriculum and Management: 44 days plus bank holidays
Curriculum support and business support: 39 days plus bank holidays

Pension schemes with generous employer contributions:
Teachers Pension Scheme
Local Government Pension Scheme
Peoples Pension Scheme

CPD opportunities:
Annual staff conference plus 2 additional staff development days.
Qualifications including PGCE, Apprenticeships, Leadership and Management courses.

Employee wellbeing initiatives: Family Friendly Policies, discounted onsite spa (Printworks) and gym (Park Lane).

Travel and commuting:Discounted travel available through Metro card, Northern Rail, First Bus, Arriva Bus and Cycle to work schemes.

Flexible and hybrid working opportunities:Please speak to the recruiting manager regarding flexible opportunities as these differ between roles.

About UsLeeds City College is one of the largest further education institutions in the country and is one of the biggest providers of apprenticeships regionally.We provide a vibrant and diverse learning environment, delivering excellent and innovative education which is supportive, inspiring and life changing. Leeds City Colleges values put students first and are at the heart of everything the college does.We are committed to lifelong learning and investing in our staff. Youll have access to a broad variety of training and professional development designed to help you continually develop and grow. We offer a wide range of job vacancies, and our large size means there are always exciting opportunities to progress.Join us on the journey to being the best that we can collectively be for our students, apprentices, staff and our stakeholders.SAFEGUARDINGAt Luminate Education Group we are committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all our students including children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow the Safer Recruitment requirements and best practice as set out within Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance. All successful applicants will be required to complete mandatory pre-employment checks which include an enhanced DBS check, online checks and must have two satisfactory references. Please be aware that it is a criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children.EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIONOur commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in recruitment is key to our Groups values. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that embraces equality, diversity andinclusion in all its forms, where every candidate is treated with fairness, respect, and equity. Our recruitment processes are designed to ensure equal opportunities, remove bias, and promote a diverse talent pool. We continually assess and improve our practices to ensure that every individual, regardless of background, has an equal chance to succeed. By championing EDI, we aim to create a workforce that reflects the richness of our communities and drives innovation through diverse perspectives. To find out more about what our commitment to EDI means to us pleaseClick here to learn more about our EDI objectives.RECRUITMENT AGENCIESWe kindly request that recruitment agencies do not forward anyunsolicited CVsin relation to any of our advertised roles or speculatively. If we require support with any of our vacancies we will get in touch with agencies directly.

• We do not recognise submissions of unsolicited or speculative CV applications from recruitment agencies.
• We shall not be liable for any fee / commission in the event we employ a candidate that may have been submitted as an unsolicited/speculative application from an uninstructed recruitment agency.

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