Package Description
Responsible to: Head of SEND
Salary: £62,742 - £76,919 per annum (Full-time equivalent). It is our normal policy to appoint at the entry point of the salary range. Appointment above this point will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and is subject to approval.
Working Hours: 35 per week
Contract details: Fixed Term Contract - 12 months. Full time/ Part-time (part-time option possible). Monday to Friday. 9:00 am to 5 pm. Hybrid working, some mandatory office days required. This role is also open to secondments. Secondments will be paid at current salary or the salary range for the post, whichever is higher
London Councils operates in a hybrid working environment as an agile employer, working across its Strategic Directorates.
If you have any queries or would like to informally discuss the role, please contact Frank Offer, Head of SEND at Frank.Offer@londoncouncils.gov.uk
For any issues with your application please contact recruitment@londoncouncils.gov.uk
- Application deadline: 11:59pm on Monday 9th November
- Interviews: Anticipated to take place during the week commencing 23rd November
Applications should be developed without the direct use of AI.
Job Introduction
We are looking for an experienced and ambitious SEND Development Lead to join the London Innovation and Improvement Alliance (LIIA). This is an exciting opportunity to shape and influence SEND improvement across London's 32 boroughs and the City of London, working alongside senior leaders from local government, education, health, the voluntary sector and other partners.
You will play a leading role in delivering LIIA's pan-London SEND programme, supporting local areas to implement SEND reforms, strengthen partnership working, improve financial sustainability and share effective practice. From leading innovative improvement programmes and peer reviews to developing communities of practice and supporting strategic commissioning, you will help drive meaningful change for children, young people and families across London.
This role offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of SEND reform, influencing policy, practice and system leadership on a regional scale.
Role Responsibility
As our SEND Development Lead, you will:
- Lead the delivery of pan-London and sub-regional SEND improvement programmes aligned to the priorities of LIIA and ALDCS (Association of London Directors of Children’s Services).
- Support local area partnerships to implement SEND Reform Plans and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
- Manage and coordinate programmes, projects and improvement activity.
- Develop and facilitate networks, communities of practice and peer learning opportunities, including the Experts at Hand programme.
- Identify, promote and spread effective practice across London boroughs and partner organisations.
- Support innovation and collaboration in SEND commissioning, provision planning and service delivery.
- Lead improvement activity focused on key themes identified through SEND data, Ofsted inspections, Local Area Plans and national policy developments.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with senior leaders across local government, education, health, social care and the voluntary sector.
- Provide strategic advice, research, analysis and policy support on SEND-related issues.
- Produce high-quality reports, briefings, presentations and recommendations for senior leaders and governance boards.
- Represent LIIA and London's local authorities at regional and national forums.
- Champion co-production, equity, inclusion and the voice of children, young people and families throughout programme activity.
- Deputise for colleagues where required and contribute to the leadership and development of the wider SEND team and LIIA.
Read about the job activities in more detail in the Job Description and Person Specification document attached below.
The Ideal Candidate
We're looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery and has a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
You'll bring:
- Significant experience of leading SEND improvement, transformation or programme delivery within local government or a closely related environment.
- Strong knowledge of SEND policy, legislation, reforms and improvement priorities.
- Experience of working across complex partnerships involving local authorities, education, health and social care.
- A track record of successfully delivering change and influencing senior stakeholders across organisational boundaries.
- Excellent programme and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results.
- Outstanding communication, facilitation and relationship-building skills.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to use evidence, data and feedback to inform improvement.
- Confidence in engaging with senior leaders, elected members and strategic partnerships.
- A collaborative and inclusive leadership style, with a commitment to equity, diversity and co-production.
- The ability to work independently, use initiative and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Most importantly, you'll be motivated by making a difference for children as part of a team and excited by the opportunity to support SEND improvement across London at scale.
Read about the job activities in more detail in the Job Description and Person Specification document attached below.
About the Company
The London Innovation and Improvement Alliance (LIIA) is London's regional improvement alliance, bringing together local authorities to accelerate improvement, share effective practice and tackle common challenges. Hosted by London Councils, LIIA delivers programmes on behalf of London boroughs, including the ALDCS SEND Programme. Through pan-London and sub-regional collaboration, we support local areas to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND and deliver lasting system-wide change.
London Councils is the collective of London local government, the 32 boroughs and the City of London Corporation. They come together through London Councils to work in collaboration to deliver their shared ambitions for London and Londoners.
Through lobbying, collaboration and partnership, we ensure the voice of the London boroughs are united, and heard at a local, regional and national level.
We also run a number of services on behalf of the boroughs including the Freedom Pass, Taxicard and Health Emergency Badge (HEB) and London Lorry Control Scheme (LLCS).
Read more about London Councils - London Councils
Our Recruitment Approach
The application process involves answering a small number of application questions aligned to the essential criteria for the role. All applications will be processed using a blind sifting method. This means that personal identifying details will be removed to ensure fair and unbiased shortlisting of applications.
The panel sees only the anonymised generated CV that Tribepad builds from the Education and Employment History sections of the application form.
Uploading a personal CV is optional and only helps auto-populate these sections - it does not replace completing them.
Please ensure these sections are fully completed. If they’re left blank, key information won’t appear in the anonymised pack and fair review becomes harder.
Your full details and original CV are not shared with the panel until after the shortlist is agreed and you are invited to interview.
We are committed to equal opportunities and encourage applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be made to support candidates during the recruitment process.
