Head of SENSAP and SEND Funding

As Head of Service SENSAP and SEND Funding, you'll lead on the strategic and operational management of all processes concerned with the statutory assessment of children and young people's special educational needs, ensuring delivery of a high-quality service for children with complex needs and their families. You'll be part of our Learning Inclusion service and will contribute to the goals set out in our SEND and inclusion strategy. You'll assist the Chief Officer in planning, organising, managing and developing the provision of high quality, effective and consistent services, providing innovative leadership that adds value and supports the delivery of the council's strategic objectives. The role is key within the local authority, with the specific responsibility for processes concerned with the creating and maintaining of Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and the associated provision and funding., Head of SENSAP and SEND Funding will lead and manage the planning, organising, and development of high quality, effective and consistent Statutory Assessment & Provision services. This role will also manage the strategic commissioning of Specialist SEND places in the city.,

• Provide strategic leadership and management that adds value and supports the delivery of the Council's strategic objectives.
• Deliver programmes of strategic significance to the Council to deliver services in line with Council priorities.
• Responsible for the development and delivery of the service plan and continuous improvement initiatives through leading and contributing to cross Council projects, collaborative working with partners and supporting Directorate management teams.
• Lead on the strategic and operational management of all processes concerned with the statutory assessment of children and young people's special educational needs ensuring delivery of a high-quality service for children with complex needs and their families.
• Drive continuous improvement agenda through the development and delivery of city-wide strategic priorities and through collaborative working with partners.
• Work as part of the Learning Inclusion Senior Management team and model values and behaviours to help us to achieve our ambition to become the best city council, and the best child friendly city in the country.
• Support the active involvement of children and young people and families in how Children's Services are delivered and how they contribute to the ambitions of the Council, ensuring that children and young people have a voice, and their views are heard.
• Plan and commission to meet present and future need.
• Ensure SEN funding is distributed appropriately.
• Responsible for oversight and strategic commissioning of Specialist SEND places in the city.
• Responsible for agreeing funding levels, organisation and quality assurance of pupil level SEND top up funding in collaboration with LCC finance team.
• Quality assuring delivery of support to meet the assessed needs of children and young people.
• Develop and deliver the role in a way that facilitates a multi-agency approach which is centred on the needs of children and young people throughout the city, especially those who are most vulnerable.
• Deliver better outcomes against professional standards within a context of resource availability.
• Create a climate of shared accountabilities, learning and continuous improvement.
• Develop and sustain a culture that consistently meets the needs of and listens to children, families, and staff to meet the business needs of the directorate and the needs of children and young people.
• Be a champion of Leeds aspiration and ambition to become a child friendly city.
• Develop and implement robust performance management processes to ensure the delivery of outcomes within an evidence-based model.
• Implement regular formal quality assurance, audit and performance management and reporting through the use of effective management information systems, ensuring this meets statutory requirements.
• Deliver 'good' or equivalent outcomes from external inspections, reviews, and assessments.
• Ensure the delivery of service plans as part of the overall corporate and partnership framework.
• Positively and effectively shape and deliver the vision and goals of the Children and Young People's Plan and the SEND and Inclusion strategy.
• Support effective partnership arrangements at local and city-wide level to bring about change and improvement in families to keep children safe.
• Build strong and dynamic relationships and networks and build trust with individuals and partner agencies to deliver better outcomes for all children and young people, particularly those who are vulnerable and have the most complex needs.
• Lead and manage effective multi-agency relationships which underpin safe and effective services for children in Leeds.
• Lead and manage all aspects of people management within the service, creating an organisational climate of high performance, shared accountabilities, learning and continuous improvement which meets the needs of, and engages with, children, families, communities and staff.
• Deputise for the Head of Service and represent on all matters relating to the leadership, management, and development of the service at a city, regional and national level where appropriate.
• Manage, promote and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery, community engagement and human resource areas, focussing on equality of outcome.
• Work with elected Members, MP's, service users, trade unions and partner stakeholders in ways which support inclusive open and accountable governance.
• In line with the Budget Management Accountability Framework to be responsible and accountable for all financial resources within the service area ensuring value for money and working within financial regulations.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate to the grade., Be aware of promote and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection.
• Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the behaviours, values and standards of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
  
  As Head of Service SENSAP and SEND Funding, you will bring to the role:
• A record of successful senior leadership in children's services or related setting
• Substantial experience of building credible and effective collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders including Directors, elected members, Trade Unions, colleagues and partner organisations
• Experience of implementing change and achieving transformational outcomes
• Legislative knowledge and good practice around the provision and processes of the statutory duties of EHCPs within a local authority
• Ability to influence and negotiate, building strong cross-sector partnerships
• Sound judgment with the ability to make reasoned decisions and advise senior colleagues, to shape and influence the delivery of the council's strategic priorities at a City, Directorate and Service level
• Extensive knowledge of applicable regulations and policies and the local government working environment, The role requires specific knowledge and experience of SEND and statutory processes and a determination and commitment to drive a continuous improvement agenda of high-quality coordinated services for children with complex needs and their families.
You'll lead your team with compassion and innovation, creating an environment of high performance, shared accountabilities and continuous learning, to help everyone be their best. You'll be skilled at building strong, dynamic and trusted relationships with individuals and partner agencies, allowing you to deliver better outcomes for all children and young people, particularly those who are vulnerable and have the most complex needs. Crucially, you'll support and be a champion of our Child Friendly Leeds initiative. This is a real opportunity for you to make a significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and families in Leeds., Qualifications Relevant technical qualification and membership of relevant professional bodies and evidence of ongoing professional development. Working Context - Post holders will work flexibly both at home and at various locations across the City and region. All colleagues should work in line with our hybrid working principles and spend regular time in the workplace to support service delivery, meeting the needs of the team and the requirements of their individual role. The hours are worked mainly Monday to Friday. However, the post holder will be expected to work outside normal working hours, including attendance at evening/weekend meetings or events if required to meet the needs of the service. Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
• Able to demonstrate examples of managing services, implementing change and achieving quality transformational outcomes.
• Legislative knowledge and good practice around the provision and processes of the statutory duties of EHCPs within a Local Authority.
• Demonstrate knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, policies, inspections and performance information and relevant strategic functions e.g. health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of economic strategy and policy, understanding of local government political systems and experience of working on politically sensitive issues.
• Substantial senior leadership and management experience within the relevant children's services environment (i.e. schools, colleges, or local authority) with specific responsibility for translating policy via service delivery and outcomes.
• Experience of working with senior management to shape and influence the delivery of the council's strategic priorities at a City, Directorate and Service level.
• Substantial experience in building credible and effective collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders including Directors, elected members, Trade Unions, colleagues and partner organisations.
• Evidence of significant experience and commitment in relation to the engagement of relevant citizens, customers and stakeholders in decision making processes.
• Significant experience of developing productive working relationships with Council Members, trade unions and Corporate Leadership Team which commands respect trust and confidence.
Behavioural & other Characteristics required
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
  
  As Head of Service SENSAP and SEND Funding, you'll thrive on making a positive difference to the education of vulnerable and SEND young people in Leeds by ensuring they get the right support at the right time.
It's about more than meeting statutory service standards. You'll want to support your team to exceed those standards and continually improve the service we deliver to children with complex needs and their families, ensuring they have a voice and are listened to. Working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders across the city, you'll be responsible for driving a continuous improvement agenda through the development and delivery of city-wide strategic priorities. Leeds Children and Families services are rated outstanding by Ofsted. We are committed to the ambition of Child Friendly Leeds and want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence. Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.


• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further